Interesting idea, Paul. I'll take a closer look at those sticks next time I'm at Starbucks. Thanks,

Ross

: Look for the wood coffee stir sticks. A box of 1000 should run somewhere
: under $3. They are 6 to 9 inches long, which would be the 1/4 scale
: equivalent of 2 to 3 foot long strips -- so you'll probably need to scarf
: 5 or 6 together to get the length you want. BUT they are about 3/16 to 1/4
: nch wide, which is about a quarter the size of 3/4 inch to 1 inch real
: strips, and they are a little under 1/16th thick, which should be just
: fine.

: The color is great, and no knots to speak of, and they are already sanded
: nice and smooth.

: You can make a very simple scarfing jig sor such thin pieces with a sanding
: disk. Just set up a guide, or a fence at a small angle to the sanding disk
: and feed in the coffee stirrer. Then feed in another. In less time than
: the average electric pencil sharpener takes, you'll have matching tapers
: on the ends of your two short strips. A drop of white glue and clamp with
: a paperclip or two.

: You can do dozens of these tiny scarfs in an hour, and have suitable lengths
: for whatever full-length strips you need. You can fill in the rest of the
: boat with strips that are butt joined, or scarfed, or both.

: PGJ