Brass Stem Bands- Flat v. Concave?

[George F.]

I had purchased brass stem bands and was ready to install them when I read in one of the forums that the back side of the stem band needs to be concave to handle the canvas seam and bedding compound. Is a concave back on the brass stem band absolutely necessary?
Obviously, I would prefer to use the flat backed ones I have to save having to a re-order and return the originals. Has anyone successfully used flat backed brass stem bands?

On a related topic, I read a post from Rollin Thurlow saying you can sand and rasp the high spots off the bow/stern before installing the stem band to get a better, flatter base. He said getting right down into the canvas while flattening was ok, as it was protected by the brass band. I could do this to better accept a flat backed band, but am a bit nervous about taking off paint, filler and some canvas after having been so careful in putting it on! Most of what I would be doing would be above the water line, but still makes me nervous. Has anyone attempted flattening the seam with sandpaper and/or rasp? Do you have to go back and do some touch up painting after installing the band?

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Dave Osborn]

Hollow backed stem bands are preferred on stems without an outer stem.
You can use a flat backed stem band as long as all of the humps and bumps are cleaned off for a "flat to flat" finish.
Or you can buy a couple of new ones with a concave back to make the canvas seam....seam seamless. ( no pun intended)
I buy from Northwoods Canoe Co.

 

[Chuey]

Hello George,

Chuck from California here. Just yesterday I installed the stem bands I had for my Old Town Molitor. Mine had concave backsides. My Molitor has outside stems so it's not really an advantage as far as I can tell. I bought mine from Pat Chapman when I was up in Washington. Carried them home in the bicycle rack tubes to prevent damage. I found bedding compound to be very messy to work with.
After all that work, I think I'd be inclined to bite the bullet and spring (and wait - that may be the harder part of it all) for the concave back bands.

Cheers, Chuey

 

[Howie]

The concave stem bands are relatively cheap and will work far better than the flat back type. And they will save you gobs of time.