Lapstrake planking

[DAVID EDGERLY]

Ok DAN
I AM PLANKING THE LAPSTRAKE CANOE WITH 5/8" TACKS THAT HAVE 5/32 HEAD THESE I HAVE RUN OUT OF,I HAVE BOUGHT MORE TACKS FROM JAMESTOWN BUT THESE HAVE A BIGGER HEAD THEY ARE #10 BY 5/8 LONG. I HAVE HAD SOME TROUBLE CLENCHING THESE TACKS. WHICH ARE THE RIGHT TACKS FOR ATTACHING 1/4" PLANKING? ANY INFORMATION WOULD BE APPRECIATED
THANKS DAVE

 

[Dan Miller]

No need to yell...

5/8" is the correct size. What sort of trouble are you having?

Dan

 

[DAVID EDGERLY]

They sometimes will not bury the head below the surface of plank the smaller heads of tacks that i ran out of were nice but i don't know where they came from. But the tack that was easy to clench has a head 5/32 dia is this enough? Sorry for yelling
dave

 

[Dan Miller]

You shouldn't have trouble setting the larger heads in cedar. The heads will usually stay proud if you are planking with spanish cedar, mahogany or cherry (as in a sheer strake). A couple things to try is to make sure you are setting the tacks in the right orientation (so the bend goes across the flat), make sure you are getting a proper clench, and make sure you are backing fully.

If you are not sure you are getting a proper clench, practice on scrap, bust it apart and look at the nails. They should form a nice curl.

 

[DAVID EDGERLY]

Thanks Dan
I will try that
dave