Recent content by Openboater

I like the idea of carrying less weight in the buckets. Easier on the back too. t

Took the Samson pedals from my road bike apart and cleaned them up. You learn something new everyday in the shop mates... tom

Epsom Salt is great for tomatoes. Don't know about weeds... tom

Lovely part of the state, Eric. Pretty hot right now though, eh? tom

I over-think every project I do, so sitting and thinking in the shop is revered pastime. t

Good point rlit. A goal of mine is to lose the aluminum winches internal to the wood mast base--very clunky. I could probably mount an exit plate a couple feet up from the mast base and try that (that's how I'd handle the foresail halyard)... t

Thanks for the advice everyone. To answer Zeke's question, the mast is hollow because the halyards--the lengths of wire used to raise the main and fore sails--ran inside the mast to help eliminate what's called windage up high. I'd run the main halyard outside (there are class rules for...

Good matrix, Hog. Thanks. Re: specialized knowledge, kbs, most sailors aren't any more knowledgeable than you are when it comes to repairs (most wouldn't even try to repair this mast...). I'm going to experiment with titebond 3 and see how it goes. I'll let you all know how it goes... t

You are right, guys. The break isn't clean--there are longish pieces that extend from one half down onto the other. Regardless, I'm noodling some kind of reinforcement to stiffen the stick up a bit. Because the spar is hollow, maybe an insert or a sleeve would work. If all else fails, it...

Thanks gents. I'll pick up some III and glue a couple test spots. t

Hi friends. I'm going to attempt to repair a wood mast for a Thistle sailboat (nothing to lose...). It was broken by snowfall off a tree (while in the possession of a former owner) last winter. It's hollow spruce, with the halyards run inside. I can change that--I'm not wedded to the boat's...

Hi Jim. Had to look up Maltby. Looks like pretty country and off the beaten (very beaten) path. Tom from Fairfield

I have a buddy who had a big shop/apt. built--it was a super building--we had TX Holdem' tournaments in the thing. I'm sure they come as an offering from pole building builders. I like your plan. Nice little one or two bed apt. with a giant shop attached. t

This is a good thread. I find lots of stuff...nothing like Top has, but buckets, cloth bags, sometimes tools. I walk what's called a summer road here in E. WA and found a small, crusty splitting wedge. I cleaned it up and carry it on my sailboat for splitting wood when I stay at remote...

I'm with Jere. I like working with salvaged materials. Most of it is every bit as good as new for the projects I undertake: saw horses, screen doors, outdoor benches and tables, raised garden beds etc. I'm not building condos, I'm building a life. We live in a wasteful society. Those of us...