Phlod

Jim March 27th, 2007

I spent all weekend in Ann Arbor, hanging out with Adam. While it was a fun and informative weekend, it meant that I wasn’t able to accomplish much on the boat. So, I think this week’s post is better devoted to a well-deserved shout-out.

The WoodenBoat Forum is probably the most helpful tool I’ve had in learning the ancient trade of boat building. Late last December, I decided to join the Forum and inquire about my boat building ambitions by starting this thread. At the time, the only thing I knew about boat building came from an article in Orion Magazine about a young fellow who built a small skiff in his Manhattan apartment. I figured that I had a large apartment with an empty dining room, so why not? Thankfully, the sages on the WBF chimed in with sound advice.

I’ve also used the WBF for much research. It seems that there is at least one thread on every topic related to boat building and pretty much every other topic under the Sun as well. If there is something that is unfamiliar to me, chances are a quick search on the WBF will clarify the matter in exceptional detail. The individuals on WBF have a rare combination of knowledge, wisdom, and willingness to help. And so, I give them a very deserved shout-out.

After I returned from Ann Arbor, I was able to stop by and get some things accomplished. Most importantly, I moved the table saw from the basement out to the garage. Since the weather has been nice, and since I have a number of 12′ cuts coming up, I figured it was time. I had previously made some 12′ cuts in our 25′ wide basement, but this proved to be very tight. Moving the table saw turned out to be a huge task which took up most of my build time, but now I’m set up for next weekend. Despite the weight and size of the saw, the whole process went by almost without incident. I say “almost” because I did stand up carelessly, after crouching under the saw to loosen the stand bolts, and jabbed the fence guide into my back. And since I feel every post must be accompanied by a picture, here’s an image of the injury inflicted upon my back by the table saw (that raised, red mark in the middle):

Anyway, I suppose it could’ve been much worse (Check out the “Why SawStop?” video).

• Boat Building , Tools , WoodenBoat Forum
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