: I've been considering building one of Tom's designs, but I wanted a proper
: masik in it, rather than a frame. I think I have a reasonable idea of how
: to do it. It would entail cutting out the top section of the frame, but
: keeping the attachment points for the gunwale stringers, creating a
: roughly U-shaped "3/4 frame". Next, fabricate a masik (I like to
: use 3" wide, steam-bent oak) that's 1/2" thicker at the ends
: than the diameter of the tubes (if you're building an aluminum tube
: folder), or equal to the thickness of wooden stringers (for a wood framed
: boat). For a tube frame, you would cut/rout a groove in each end to fit
: over the gunwale tubes, then cut a notch in the center of each end to fit
: around the 3/4 frame, straddling it. For a wooden frame, you would just
: cut the masik to fit between the stringers and cut a notch for the 3/4
: frame. The masik would be held in place with pegs or screws through the
: stringers.

: Does this description make sense?

: You can see pics of the masik style I prefer at the link below, in my
: "Steam Bent Masik" album and those for my boats. That might give
: you a better idea of what I have in mind.

If you didn't want to set up a steamer for one piece you could fairly easily lamimate the Masik and achieve about the same strength and still have a larger opening on the first frame. Wouldn't be quite as pretty as the steamed piece, but would be just as strong.

Bill H.