: After a little travel I'm trying to finalize the form positions on
: my strongback so I can get stripping. I was finding that because
: the shape of the baidarka hull required some clamping to keep
: test strips along it, it was tricky to tell, using strips, if I
: had everything lined up or not.

: For example, I'm using "slot clamps" to minimally affect
: the curve of the strips (spring clamps "warp" the
: curve) like this:
: http://www.flickr.com/photos/48840212@N02/5965807626/

: I put one near the front, one near the middle, one near the back on
: each side. Clamps are on the bow side towards the bow of the
: boat and the aft side near the stern.
:
: http://www.flickr.com/photos/48840212@N02/5965252825/in/photostream/

: I'm coming across two problems:

: 1. You can't see the whole curve of the hull with the slot clamps
: sticking out. I'm wondering how people place strips along the
: sheer line so they're able to check fairness.

: 2. I'm finding one form (8) isn't aligned, but only on one side
: where it's short (not by a ton but pressing the strip to the
: form definitely makes an unfair line). The other side looks
: fine. These forms were CNC cut and looked perfect prior to
: putting them on the strongback. I guess the problem could be due
: to form rotation, but figured this is a common problem and
: thought I'd ask.

: Thoughts appreciated!

I can't look at the pictures right now, idiot company's computer is being a real pain in the butt tonight, but I use plywood U clamps that are slotted over the strips and then clamped to the forms to hold the strips. They work great and are cheap, make up a pile of them on the bandsaw before you start stripping. I like those made from birch aircraft plywood like you find at the hobby stores, they are only like 2" square so a little of the plywood makes a whole bunch of these. They don't distort the strips at all. I'm thinking they are in Nick's book though I'm not sure.

Bill H.