shellback questions

[gray duck]

Target launch date was Turkey day - that isn't going to happen but maybe xmas or new years. I started in june and it has been a great project. I just coated the inside with epoxy next step is to flip over and do keel.
Question: The pintails I bought for the rudder have 3 or 4 holes on each side - the book states you use copper nails (?) and peen over the ends. Is this the only way? And where do you buy eight instead of a pound?

Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!

[Thorne]

Post some pics when you can, great little boat!

You'll be better off using either silicon bronze bar stock, or bronze bolts to attach the pintles and gudgeons. The differences between copper and bronze mean that, if left in saltwater, the copper might begin to dissolve/be eaten away. Copper is also really soft and might break at the wrong time...

That said, I put my rudder mounting hardware on with copper nails peened over, and am hoping it all works out.

Hamilton marine will sell you parts of boxes of bronze and copper hardware, plus they should also have bronze rod. This is MUCH cheaper than buying the whole box from Jamestown Distributors -- don't ask me how I know this...

;0 )

[Dave Gray]

I ended up buying my copper nails from an Ace hardware store, which I liked much better than paying shipping on a pound of copper nails. In took only two tries as I got the wire gauge wrong the first time - you'd think I would know better as I used to work in a hardware store....

I should mentiopn that these were roofing nails so they had a wide head. Also, most Ace stores will special order a package or two of something for you at no extra cost, you will get the item at the next delivery day if it is in stock at the warehouse.

[Thorne]

I've heard that you can get bronze rod from welding supply houses, but don't really know anything more about it.

[Canoez]

Or you could try looking for Bronze at McMaster-Carr. I bought some recently in a variety of alloys for some tests.