My primary project - the "BIG ONE" - is, of course, building the Goat Island Skiff. Building a boat requires tools, time, skill and patience. I began this project with an assortment of hand and portable tools, lots of time, modest skills and plenty of patience (It seems that patience and time can make up for a lack of great skill.)
Since I didn't have all the tools I need or will need, I've had to purchase some (a block plane, Japanese saw, clamps... ) and will probably always be adding to my set of tools. Some tools or accessories are just easier to build themselves than to purchase, and thus become mini-projects themselves. This is my list of mini-projects I plan to build to help me finish the BIG ONE. Some of these I have commented on earlier, some are new additions, and I am sure others will be added as soon as I realize I need them.
- Sawhorses
- Work Bench
- Ladder Bench
- Scarf Jig
Mini-Projects
Sawhorses: Sure, there are many ways to purchase sawhorses. There are ready made wood, metal, or plastic ones. There are any number of systems available to "just add legs" to assemble your own. But these are not terribly economical. In a thread on the Michael Storer Wooden Boat Plans - Wood Work Forum (MSDF) a gentleman building a GIS posted a link to these Wooden Sawhorses. As soon as I saw them I thought, "I need those, and I can build them!" So, the sawhorses are on the mini-projects list.
Work Bench: When I began building my boat I had my dining table and my WorkMate. I recognized the need for more space, more so in terms of table or counter top work surface than room space - at least for what I am doing now. I really didn't want to use the dining table. It isn't necessarily flat or truly square so it is not ideal as a wood-working surface. Oh yeah, I built that table more than 30 years ago and didn't really want to drip epoxy or tools on it... I found these plans for a Work Bench . This is a very basic design that can be built to really any size to fit my needs. While the Work Mate is serving admirably I can see the need for a larger work surface in the near future.
Ladder Bench: I'm not sure that is the correct name, but it does describe an accessory I will need to help with assembling the hull (when I get to that stage!). A ladder bench is simply a narrow (3', maybe) frame that sits across two sawhorses to support larger pieces or assemblies. It is a table without legs of its own or a top surface. It can support sheets of plywood for cutting or hold a hull at a comfortable working height. I don't have pictures to share right now, but I will add one when I find it.
Scarf Jig: This has been described in an earlier post but I include it here as it is a mini-project I need to complete before I can proceed with making the gunwales, inwales, and skids. The scarf jig is described in a Wooden Boat Forum thread, and detailed here:
I'll add to this list as need be, and I will describe building and using these items as I continue building my GIS.
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