School Canoe Project

[patrick corry]

That’s a great looking form. You’ll want green Ash for bending stems so a sawyer local will be ideal. I made several posts here recently about stem bending issues, and if you look up ‘Engels Coach Shop’ on YouTube you will find several informative videos about steam bending basics. Although not canoe related the concepts are applicable.

 

[Tim Parent]

Thanks, Patrick. The mill I talked to today has the ash I need but they weren't encouraging about having me dig through stacks for the right board. The True Temper mill gets all the best local ash logs, anyway. They make blanks for baseball bats and lots of tool handles. They also give me program mill ends to burn in our school sugar house.

 

[chris pearson]

Hats off to you! This is how the tradition continues.

 

[Dan Lindberg]

Interesting project.

Depending on your machinery, I'm not sure if you have enough wood.

FWIW - when I cut ribs, I use a table saw and cut to size and then sand - no planning.
I can't do this for the planking, so some of the wood is wasted in the planner.

BTW - ash is heavy and rots/discolors fast - spruce or mahagany are better choices (for rails).
I like white oak or cherry for trim.

Dan

 

[Tim Parent]

The school year is done and we achieved my goal of getting the canoe off the form. I retire next spring, so there’s a hard end date for the project. Pictures coming, got to fix the grill. Fourth of July, friend coming over, of course the grill doesn’t work.

 

[patrick corry]

Hey Tim, great to hear from you about the project! I went to college in Castleton, VT in the 70's, and lived in Rutland.

Glad it's progressing, and I'll bet that some of your students will remember the project long after their school days.

 

[Tim Parent]

Some of my students were into the canoe build, others not, but the ones who got into it will remember the project for a long time. Here are some photos of our work:

 

[Worth Gretter]

Some day, those kids will realize they had an experience that few others get!