: My favorite saw is a jig saw. I use it for all HDPE cutting, not
: just cross sections, but also coamings, and more intricate work
: such as sail rig components. Next favorite is a band saw, as it
: has so many uses also, followed by a circular saw which I've used
: to rip strips for all my woodstrip boats over the years. For
: around the house work, it shares duties with a compound mitre saw.

: My least favorite, and the one that scares me the most is my table saw.
: I realize that with proper training and experience, it is capable of doing
: marvelous work. But then again, with proper training and experience the
: same can be said for my trusty old circular saw. I'm hoping to build a
: stripper this winter, and I'm sure that when the time comes, I'll dust
: of the old circular saw as I have so many times before.

: In my opinion, the horse has been dead all along.

: What's up next from the creative mind of Scott Ferguson ?

: Thanks,

: Tom

Hey Tom,
I'd have to agree with you that the jigsaw is my favorite tool as well. The 4" grinder and Makita ROS are tied for second. Then my cheap old B&D circular saw, which doesn't get much use in building boats, but sure is nice for everything else. The tablesaws I have are way down on the list. One has been converted to a disk sander, and I love it. The other gets used occasionally, but for just a one day period to rip enough strips to feed me for awhile. A bandsaw will be my next tool purchase, and I anticipate it getting alot of use.

As far as what's next (and I do appreciate the "creative" comment, because in reality I'm not worthy - You are certainly The Man!) I have many non-boat obligations if I am to move home with my family after a 10 month separation. Sad to say, but in doing so, my creative spirit has been snuffed out (at least for the time being). I have moved most of my tools and boats into a quansit hut back at our house that has new walls closing it in with a funky arched-top dutch door and need to clean up the place if it will ever become a real shop. At only 12x20 it will look something similar to the attic that I built my Chesapeake in (crammed full). I did manage to build a model of a strip-built teardrop trailer that is about 16" long by 9" wide to be sold as a birdhouse at a craft fair in Nov. Most of my kayak models will also be for sale throughout shops in the San Juan Islands or off the internet (someday) in order to pay off the enormous amount of debt I've incurred this year. When given the choice between building things for sale or not building at all, it didn't take but a mere split second to make my decision. Wish me luck.
Scott

PS-I have my sights set on building a teardrop camping trailer for my first project because of a broader market of potential purchasers and because they go for about $12-$15k (and that's a plain one!) I have not even seen a fiberglassed strip-built version yet. We'll see what kind of artistic ideas come out of this build and I will share them graciously (as you do) as long as they are kayak related (very similar construction methods). If you have no idea what a teardrop trailer is, go to this link and click on gallery (lower left).