![]() ![]() The outside planks are caulked in this way only in carve-built, and not when clinker-built. For this purpose the sides of the plank are very slightly beveled to a distance of two-thirds of their thickness, thus presenting an open seam into which oakum is forced. Driven by means of the "caulking mallet," they were used to force stranded oakum into seams between planks on the deck and ship sides, to make the ship watertight. Their edges are either sharp, blunt, or provided with grooves known as creases. These all steel, chisel-like tools usually about 6-7" long are mushroom-headed and their blades are mostly flared - a shape known as fantail. This permitted him to work with angles other than right angles. Another important tool for a boatbuilder was the adjustable try square. Here builders may have had to borrow to have enough. For taking measurements from the model, they made use of homemade compasses or dividers, and they used clamps to keep the plank in position on the timbers until they were nailed securely. ![]() The auger they used was one with a "windmill" bit. smoothing) plank they used long wooden planes about three feet long and for other sections of the boat they used smaller, special planes as shown to the right. The "peg-poll" is used as a punch to "set" or drive spikes and nails below the surface of the timber which is being trimmed.įor "shooting" (i.e. One method of working is to start a cut in one direction, and then begin another cut in the opposite direction so that the cuts meet this avoids cutting too deep if the grain runs inward.įor general trimming work the end of the handle is commonly held with one hand on the knee, while the adze is hinged back and forth from that point, the curved handle lends itself to holding in this way. The Shipwright's adze is used for all kinds of shaping and finishing including the trimming of curved framing and planking. the purpose of the double curve is not quite clear though shipwrights assert that it would be impossible to control an adze with a straight handle. The handle which is about 2'9" long is often given a double curve, so that its lower end is brought forward to a point almost in line with the cutting edge of the blade. The blade of the shipwright's adze is longer and rather flatter than that made for other trades. It was an essential tool for the boat builder. Among them was an adze, mentioned by Homer as one of the tools used by Odysseus. In an old tool box in Maberly, I discovered a variety of carpentry tools, and I remember others that are now missing. Highly recommended reading for anyone researching boats and ships of North America.Īlthough may men built their stages and winter slides with just axe, hammer, saw, and perhaps a plane, boatbuilders and carpenters had a variety of tools besides the four basic ones. The following is an excerpt from the book "Of Boats on the Collar" by Hilda Chaulk Murray (an interesting book about the rich and interesting history of Elliston and surrounding area, a typical small fishing community in Newfoundland. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |