"Tripod" to support spars for varnish

[rregge]

After 6-7 years delay I am finishing my IO Arctic Tern.

I am getting ready to varnish the spars and was looking for ways to support the spars during varnishing.

Traditional "tripods" with one point of contact seemed like an accident waiting to happen.

I found these,

If these are well known here sorry.

tripod 1.jpg

tripod 2.jpg

Russell

[johngsandusky]

Re: "Tripod" to support spars for varnish

Looks good to me. I generally use sawhorses and touch up after, or sometimes hang them.

[stromborg]

Re: "Tripod" to support spars for varnish



I use a couple of sawhorses too, with finish nails driven at roughly the angles shown on the plastic thing to hold the spar off the wood.

[wizbang 13]

Re: "Tripod" to support spars for varnish

no wonder its' taken 6 years
special gizmo to hold a mast for varnishing

[Toxophilite]

Re: "Tripod" to support spars for varnish

^
Somehow I don't think that was the reason for the delay.

There are a bunch of ways. I imagine those things if fastened down would work. I'd be worried about the spar falling off them, Hanging works well, for varnishing.... I like the 2 finishing nails mentioned above, simple , minimal contact and probably quite secure,

Use something thin around the spar if hanging them to have less of a mark. I use to try and move the contact point around and sand it a little out between coats but found it was better not to. This was finishing traditional bows. A nail in either end and hung from that could work too. Make sure you seal the holes afterwards.

Frankly however you do it, you're never going to notice any marks resulting while sailing.

[Yeadon]

Re: "Tripod" to support spars for varnish

I usually tape a small diameter dowel to the top of a sawhorse. It limits the contact patch between the sawhorse and the spar. That's about the most I worry about this sort of thing. After multiple coats you'll get it all just fine. I've also hung stuff from the ceiling but maybe I had more time on my hands then.

[rregge]

Re: "Tripod" to support spars for varnish

^

I'd be worried about the spar falling off them,

I am shocked they are very secure, right now sitting on an old table and very secure. I can slide the spars around and they don't fall off.

Why did it take so long, medical issues and a divorce. I no longer have a workshop, the boat is in a garage I rent around the corner from my building, and the spars are currently in my loft awaiting varnish (A couple of large window fans are at the ready to provide cross ventilation.

This is the boat.

IMG_20230521_102053979.jpg

[hawkeye54]

Re: "Tripod" to support spars for varnish

Is that deck an example of your varnish work ? - If so, you should have no worries how the mast will turn out

[rregge]

Re: "Tripod" to support spars for varnish

Is that deck an example of your varnish work ? - If so, you should have no worries how the mast will turn out

Thank you for the kind words. Yes I built the boat and finished it myself. The varnish is 7 coats of Epifanes marine varnish.


I bought the plans (no 28) for the Arctic Tern, directly from the man himself, he even put my name on the plans, a nice touch.

[Canoeyawl]

Re: "Tripod" to support spars for varnish

For small masts, I often drill a wee hole and put a 16penny nail in each end and hand those from a pair of saw horses.
Fill the holes with more varnish

[long time lurker]

Re: "Tripod" to support spars for varnish

A nail in one end and a few inches of 1/4 threaded rod threaded into the other end works. Put a nut and washer part way onto the rod, poke it through a vertical 2X4 clamped or deck screwed to a sawhorse then put another nut and washer on the other side of the 2X4 so you can pinch it tightly enough that it won't spin easily. The nail in the other end rests in a groove on a similar 2X4 post. Finish the upper surfaces then spin it 180 degrees and finish the rest. Sand and repeat, etc., etc. Plug the holes with a screw for the nail hole and a bolt for the bigger hole. Save the threaded rod and nuts and washers for the next time it needs finishing.

[Boatbum]

Re: "Tripod" to support spars for varnish

I realize a I am a little late to the party so it may not help, but I use this method..
Mast.jpg

The horse has roller blade wheels on it so I can rotate and varnish the entire mast by applying it on the top. It is very easy to apply all in one coat.

[long time lurker]

Re: "Tripod" to support spars for varnish

Another way would be to use 3 or 4 screws in the big end (so it won't roll) and 1 pin in the other, easier than my #11.

[sp_clark]

Re: "Tripod" to support spars for varnish

I use a couple of sawhorses too, with finish nails driven at roughly the angles shown on the plastic thing to hold the spar off the wood.

Same here. Maybe a pair of two nails 90° apart on a long, round object, each pair near an end. Flattish things get three in a large triangle on one side.

Or a screw eye then wired to a joist or other overhead support.

[Nicholas Carey]

Re: "Tripod" to support spars for varnish

For small masts, I often drill a wee hole and put a 16penny nail in each end and hand those from a pair of saw horses.
Fill the holes with more varnish

⬆⬆⬆
This. Also allows one to easily rotate the spar.