Should My Transom Have an Arc

[smokeonthewater]

don't sweat it... you'll be FINE.... you don't need any speacial tools.. there are several guys here that have replaced or currently are replacing theirs.

read kracker jack's thread... he just did his transom...http://wellcraftv20.com/community/sh...ad.php?t=16692

Once you know the tricks it isn't as tough as it looks.

[Kracker Jack]

I used 2 pieces of 3/4 ply. The first piece of 3/4 ply I cut 4 relief cuts in it,I went about a third of the way through just to give enough relief to easily make the contour of the factory arch transom. If you use 3/4 ply the first piece you glue and clamp to outside skin will want to pull to the skin to the ply but with minute relief you will pull the ply to the skin. The second layer of 3/4 ply is cinch you don't have to relief cut this piece because structualy integrity of the transom is already establish with the first piece of ply. Or you could use 3 pieces of 1/2

[tartuffe]

Yeah, I've been reading through your thread Smoke linked above. You've done some really nice work. So you didnt go all the way through on the first layer. Good to know, I thought you had 4 separate pieces on that first layer of 3/4 ply.

I saw where you had a solid piece on the second layer of 3/4. While here, what did you use to adhere the two layers of ply together? Also how did you get both layers of ply so level with one another? They look really good. I was thinking a belt sander after you laminated the ply but before your first layer of 1708.

[Kracker Jack]

Originally Posted by tartuffe

Yeah, I've been reading through your thread Smoke linked above. You've done some really nice work. So you didnt go all the way through on the first layer. Good to know, I thought you had 4 separate pieces on that first layer of 3/4 ply.

I saw where you had a solid piece on the second layer of 3/4. While here, what did you use to adhere the two layers of ply together? Also how did you get both layers of ply so level with one another? They look really good. I was thinking a belt sander after you laminated the ply but before your first layer of 1708.

I glued my plywood layers with thickend resin using a mixture of cabosil as your thickener. Make to peanut butter consistentsy. I troweled it on with 1/4 inch knotch trowel like the one you use for ceramic tile. I hotcoated my ply before glueing. I'm new at this stuff also I did a lot of research before starting. The guys on this forum are AWESOME!!! No question is a dumb one,ask all you can because that's how you learn. Don't feel like you have pull the sheets of ply together super tight, just kinda massage your clamps or allthread still it starts ozzing out. I also tapped on transom with a rubber mallet so it kinda seats the glue evenly with vibration. Let me know if ya need more pics because I have a lot that I did not post that might help you out

[tartuffe]

Originally Posted by Kracker Jack

I glued my plywood layers with thickend resin using a mixture of cabosil as your thickener. Make to peanut butter consistentsy. I troweled it on with 1/4 inch knotch trowel like the one you use for ceramic tile. I hotcoated my ply before glueing. I'm new at this stuff also I did a lot of research before starting. The guys on this forum are AWESOME!!! No question is a dumb one,ask all you can because that's how you learn. Don't feel like you have pull the sheets of ply together super tight, just kinda massage your clamps or allthread still it starts ozzing out. I also tapped on transom with a rubber mallet so it kinda seats the glue evenly with vibration. Let me know if ya need more pics because I have a lot that I did not post that might help you out

Thank you for your feedback. I feel pretty good with taking my next few steps when this crappy weather blows out.

[Kracker Jack]

Originally Posted by tartuffe

Thank you for your feedback. I feel pretty good with taking my next few steps when this crappy weather blows out.

Yea I feel the same way! I'm over this weather. Past 2 weekends for us it has been raining. Where ya from?

[tartuffe]

Not far South from you in Greenville NC. Got a lot done yesterday but today was a total loss. I want to be out there more than my body wants another day of deconstruction so I can't complain too much.

Been a good day of online shopping. Found tyvek-like suits for about $1.50/ea. Looking forward to that half face respirator and googles showing up too.