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Re: Strip: The maximum form spacing

By:JohnAbercrombie
Date: 7/16/2014, 5:35 pm

In Response To: Re: Strip: The maximum form spacing (Robert W)

Is there any advantage to having forms spaced every 12'' vs. 16'' or 24'' ?

With thinner strips, the wood can 'sag' or be 'pulled offline' between forms more easily. 1/4" strips are almost twice as stiff as 3/16, so that should be kept in mind. The thicker strips won't sag, but OTOH they will tend to 'curve past the form' more when they should be running straight. Some experiments will let you judge this for yourself - just draw some of your boat lines on a piece of plywood, drive finish nails (with different spacing) along the lines, and see how your strips conform to the desired lines.

Aside from the extra work in aligning the forms on the strongback, I see only advantages in more closely-spaced forms.

The last two projects I've built have had 16" forms spacing, and I wouldn't want to work with wider spacing. BTW, both of those boats didn't have 'upswept' ends.