: I am getting ready to build the SS. I am building a few things from the
: instruction booklet before I order the plans. Here is a picture of the
: lower bow piece. I need to set my camera for a higher resolution. I glued
: up the three 1/4" laminated pieces together and then layed out the
: piece. I seem to make things and then read the instructions. Dow the three
: pieces together and draw the shape, take them apart, dow the two outside
: shapes together and cut them, then cut the center piece, glue and dow them
: all together. That way you don't have to route out the center as I did.

: John in IN

John and others building my baidarkas

A few notes on construction of the upper bow piece that I'm adding to my updated instructions.

I've heard from a few people that they've had difficulty shaping the upper bow piece. What I'd suggest is to make a couple test peices from scrap wood. This way you can get the feel for shaping the piece and not be frustrated by making mistakes with a good piece of wood. I rough cut the shape with a hand pull saw and then round it on my belt sander with 36 grit. The shape will taper to fit over the space on top of the lower bow.

On your test pieces practice cutting the recessed areas that the strips will flow into. Cut the front edge with a hand saw then remove material with a sharp chisel always cutting across the grain. If you pair wood off with the chisel, working toward the front cut lines, it is VERY easy to slip and take a chunk out of the wood that will remain visable.

Also! It is very difficult to clamp the upper bow piece in a vise since it is so small. To make it easy to work on with a chisel I screw a piece of scrap stick to the bottom surface (the screw holes will be invisable later) to make it easy to clamp in a vise.

All the best,

Rob Macks
Laughing Loon CC&K
www.LaughingLoon.com