Thanks for that Mick, will bear that in mind. Initial thoughts are 1. teak has high silica content and dulls tools rapidly, 2, problematic when varnishing due natural oils. 3, looks good when scrubbed and bleached by hot tropical sun. 4, my deck scrubbing days are long gone, even in miniature and 5, I ain't got none! No, wait a minute, what's the patio table made of. Could it be teak? Just thinking out loud honeysuckle!! Only joking!
Seriously now, your steamboat absolutely stunning. I always set my sights high but your build is up there with the best and has genuinely earned it's "Bernard bonus". He looks extremely lifelike.
The other day someone posted about "o" rings in Aldi, so I looked on tinterweb and saw they also selling tap & die set and, as I had given mine away when I stopped restoring motorbikes, and knowing I'm going to have to shorten my propshaft I thought I'd get a set. Friday morning I realised I'd forgotten all about it so I dashed into Bangor in the hope there were still some left. I got there and found I'd only forgotten my wallet hadn't I! Dashed back then returned to find plenty left so I grabbed a set and seeing as I'd done two trips I might as well grab the "o" rings as well. Now, usually with me, If I've got a load of something and I need one, I'll have every one but the one I need so, when, last night the wife said, "the kitchen sink is leaking into the cupboard underneath" I had a look and low and behold it needed an "o" ring. Would you believe it, I had one that fitted. So a good day.
Today I wanted to finish off the timbers but knew I was going to have to steam them. I had already planned for this and designed a steambox bearing in mind all I had learned from previous instances. Yes, sewer pipe with screw on end caps fitted with handles so I don't burn myself. Good supports fixed securely to a firm base so the heat doesn't cause it all to droop slowly to the deck before the wood is properly done. Insulation so the heat stays inside and something to catch all the condensate so I don't slip on the workshop floor when dashing from steambox to model with piping hot piece of wood. Does this ring any bells?
Then I thought, "jerry, you've only got 5 pieces to steam so K.I.S.S..
here's what I came up with.
Easy peasy. A bit of low cloud in the workshop but no actual precipitation. Job's a good'un.
Using same method steamed one sheer clamp and fitted it temporarily with clamps. will leave overnight and let it settle. cos the rugby's on and it's my halfday.