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I'm pretty sure that is the boat I built 60 years ago when I was 14. It was in an issue of Popular Mechanics and pictured on the cover. The title said "Build this boat in 10 hours for $10". I...

Hi -

I wrote an article over 20 years ago about building light hollow shaft oars using the bird's mouth technique. It was published in Messing About in Boats in 2001. Article is long out of...

What they all said. Fuller. Only way to go. You can call up, talk to a human and get them in a few days. I don't think their prices are high, either.

Joe Carpenter

Yes, I live in Santa Cruz, CA. I must say, I'm pretty lazy about maintenance. I sometimes rinse everything off, but the majority of times I just get water out of the boat and leave it at that. The...

I've had two units for more than 20 years. I think I have replaced the bearings twice, but maybe three times. That's all they have ever needed.

Joe Carpenter

I wrote an article for Messing About in Boats way back in 2001. It was a step by step instructional to make hollow shaft spoon blade 8'-9" oars. It's long out of print. Can't believe it, but I...

Thanks Gib,

I was not really happy with the prospect of doing it myself, hence the question. I have done steel blades myself with Dremel or files. Seemed tedious and arthritis in my fingers is a...

Hi there -

I made hollow shaft oars for my Annapolis Wherry and published the plans in Messing About in Boats many years ago. It's out of print but I can send a PDF of the article to anyone who...

Does anyone have a lead on a place to sharpen carbide band saw blades? I use 3/4" 3tpi blades. Thanks.

Try Fiberglass Hawaii in Ventura, CA?

Well, I just had an interesting experience with West System not hardening. Old pumps, I'm sure the ratio was wrong. I made a desk with four drawers. Lots of parts. Glued up all four drawers and...

When I worked for a boatbuilder in Nelson, New Zealand in the 70's, we used this wood for all the ribs in the 50' carvel plank fish boats that they were building then. Bends very well.

I think the answer is the same as the one for "when is the right time to reef?"

The first time you think of it.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. It is not sold in California. I have attempted to order it on Amazon and others and they are all unable to ship to California. Checked ALL the local sources...

That used to be true in California, but it is no longer sold here in retail stores. I need to order it from somewhere.

Joe

I live in California and I can't buy it locally. Anybody know where I can order it?

Joe Carpenter

If you can do basic welding, the Biesemier is pretty simple to make. I made one for an old Craftsman saw about 30 years ago. My friend still has that saw and there's basically nothing to break. ...

Yep. Thanks.

Anyone know who makes the stainless hardware for the forward facing rowing rig?

Well, I had a little conversation with a Titebond tech a few years ago also. I had to glue some pieces of redwood that were still pretty wet and was gluing up scraps and then testing them by trying...

I'd steer clear of Rustoleum. Well clear. It's not what it used to be. The steel lumber rack on my truck is a laboratory of rust. After only a year or two. Twenty years ago the rusty metal...