Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Don't let this happen.... -- 353 hours

It takes a lot of epoxy to fill the keel and attach stringers/stiffeners so don't do like I did and wait until you start the last gallon bottle of epoxy resin to order your next batch from your favorite supplier:(

The issue is that I have several, what I call, "wet edges" of epoxy kicking and I'm very low on epoxy and about to run out.

With epoxy I use the term "wet edge" (which is from painting) for the time period after pouring during which when new epoxy is poured and it will still chemically bond with the first pour. The type of hardener, the ambient temperature, and volume of epoxy all combine to set the wet edge time frame.

The temperature in my basement is about 72degF and dropping slightly. This past week has been cool and wet here in Maine, for instance today we had a high temp of about 61degF. And I'm using RAKA 606 slow hardener so the wet edge period is about 24 hrs. Around this time the bond becomes less and less chemical and more mechanical until after about a week when it has completely kicked. The point being I what to keep that chemical bond going as it is much stronger than the mechanical bond.  Also after this wet period is when amine blush can develop, although luckily I have virtually no issues with blush at this site.

Lower hull stringers between bulkhead 3 and 4.
A little tip to help spread the hull when installing stringers/stiffeners. First dry fit the port and starboard pieces. I use two screws on each piece to hold the stringer. Then using two pieces of wood with notches over lap them and use safety wire to hold them together. Then using a screw clamp its easy to carefully adjust the spread to get the desired "fair" curve of the hull.
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2 comments:

  1. RogerXJuly 9, 2013 at 6:04 PM

    Hi Ed, I'm looking your estimated cost. We, me and one friend, spend in Brazil, U$ 31.000,00 to build TikiRio, but we used 330g/m² bixial fiberglass in all external hull, deck and roof, we spend 320 kg of epoxy in all boat, 50kg more them plans.
    And another part which we spend more them plans, was internal finish, with mass (microsphera+epoxi) before paint. With clean work you can build your internal cabin all in wood finish, is faster and cheaper.
    And cockpit is another hull, you build how big you want...

    P.S.: She sailing fast...see last sunday
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtYy8U0plns

    Cheers

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  2. EdwardJuly 10, 2013 at 6:11 PM

    Hi Rogerio, It's interesting to see your cost, actually not too far off from my estimate:) With the estimated hours I added 50%, I probably should do the same for the cost estimate!

    Yes I'm learning the value of doing clean work! 10 minutes spent cleaning wet fillets and drips is an hour saved sanding dried epoxy!

    Great video, looks like a fun time on the water!

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