Steves Cedar Canoes

03/12/2021

This is Post Number 7 and sees the sides coming together for something like 70 strips at the middle. Progress has slowed as sometime the temperature in the workshop is too low for the glue to set. Alternatively if it's too cold the glue dries white. Lots of sanding with the orbital sander to come.
Stay safe everyone.

10/11/2021

This is build post 6 which to some might not seem so different to post number 5. As the days have drawn in and the temperatures have dropped the glue drying times have extended and some days I can only glue one strip. Weekend days might increase to 2. The total number of strips will be around 80. Today I glued the 49th strip. Things will accelerate now as the strips are not full length and ths sides are drawing in. I hope everyone is keeping well.

20/10/2021

Build Post Number 5. So a few days have passed and I have added more rows of strips. We are up to 12 strips on each side now but there still 20+ strips to go each side.

12/10/2021

Post number 4. All the formers have been attached to the strongback. The first strip on either side has been stapled to the former to the end shape, the shape is defined by the shoulders on the sides of the formers which also serve to hold the first strips in the right place in the early stages. As you will see the canoe is being built upside down. The coves on each strip serve as a well for the glue. Excess glue is quite tiresome to sand. You will see from the photos that there are lots of G clamps used in various sizes as well as some shaped clamps which are screwed to the formers to keep the shape. At the moment thers are 3 strips glued to each side. Strips 4,5,6,7 and 8 will include some walnut accent pieces which will contrast the lighter cedar.

11/10/2021

Post number 3. Today I have sorted the 70+ strips in colour order. That might sound a bit daft but the colour can change in one six inch wide board. The colours vary from near white to a warm chocolote brown. The lighter colours out number the brown. I am planning to add a pattern down both sides in Walnut which is a deep chocolate brown colour and I want this set around the lighter coloured strips which contrast the colour of the walnut. I have set up the strongback which looks like a wooden ladder. On this are 11 shaped formers. The first 2 strips will be fixed to create the shape around the gunwhales. The coves on the strips create a well for the Titebond III glue each time you add another strip. I have made a large number of clamping blocks that can be screwed to the formers whilst the glue is drying. I use Titebond III glue because it is waterproof, it doesn't stain or discolour the wood and it has a quick 'grab' time so aditional strips can be added after a couple of hours. The clamping blocks will be shown more closely on latter photos

10/10/2021

I suppose this is post number 2. I have spent today routing the remaining coves on the 70+ strips. Beads and coves are like knees and knee joints. If they come together properly there is a full coverage joint. Together they follow the profiles of the formers that make the shape of the canoe. The attached video shows one strip having a cove routed and a brief view of a bead inside a cove showing how the can bend but still have full contact

08/10/2021

https://stevescedarcanoes.co.uk/

One of my canoes sold this week so it's time to make another. I bought some beautiful Western Red Cedar from Totton Timber. I am going to post a build diary. I have cut 75 strips 17mm x 6mm and put them through the drum sander. I have started to route the beads and coves so these will be finished tomorrow. The plan for next week is to put the formers on the strongback and glue on the first strips. I will keep you up to date.

19/09/2021

For those who have limited home space but who still want to get out on the water, let me introduce my two piece cedar strip canoe that weighs just 32 lbs and can be assembled and ready to paddle in just 15 minutes. For those with alittle more space I have a one piece version of the same dimensions.

18/09/2021

Hi, I’m Steve Leach. I have many different interests that include furniture making, woodturning and more recently canoe making. Check out some of my canoes especially the 2 piece canoe!

Visit my brand new website for more details https://stevescedarcanoes.co.uk

18/09/2021