JEM Watercraft

Hi All,

I've been a longtime admirer of Jem's watercraft.
I've watched with much interest Mick and Ron build their Laker 13's and finely decided that I will build one these fine craft.

I must really congratulate Matt on his decision to provide a free version of these boat plans. I belive that these are a great way of getting people into building boats and onto the water.

I hope that tomorrow I will be able to get some ply and start lofting the plans.

Mick or Ron, I have a quick question for either of you, what do you guy's use to cut your ply panels out? I have always had some trouble with the edges splintering (alot) when I have been cutting out panels in the past. I have tried useing a small circular saw with a fine tooth blade, and also the jigsaw with a fine blade, but still get lots of splinters. I have seen a guy on the net use a modified hacksaw blade in his jigsaw and he reckons it worked really well, a bit slow, but real smooth, do you think this would be a good way to go?


Andrew

Lark
I use a jig saw with a metal cutting blade not real fast but lets you control it better.Smooth cut to
I also cut outside the line and then take a belt sander to finish it Picked that up from Mick
Oh thought I would let you guys know I found out something about Matt
He used to be the ceo of a potato chip company ( can't eat just one) and he is carrying it over into the boat building business . So Lark make room for at least 2 boats Matts dark side will get ya.
Ron

A blade with a high tooth-per-inch count does well.

Let the saw do the work. Don't push hard.

You should be able to get a veneer blade for your jig saw. It is a fine tooth wood cutting blade designed to cut wood with veneer like plywood. After you cut out the panels you can use a stapler to affix them together and then sand the edges of both at the same time so they both turn out as mirror images of each other. Just a few staples in the panel will do the trick.

cheers guy's,

Ok I got the plywood thismorning, did some ringing around and got mixed answers re pricing. Then went to one of the suppliers that I deliver for (I'm a truck driver) and he gave me the 3.6mm gaboon ply for $25.00au per sheet. a bit better than the $50ish per sheet I had been quoted on the phone by some other shops.

I have the day off work today so I should have the sheets all marked out hopefully start cutting before the end of the day.


Andrew

G'day Lark,

Welcome aboard mate. and congratulations on your selection of a truly remarkable little boat.

Re cutting the ply, I have found the gaboon splinters pretty easily, so I cut about 3mm away from the line. Then trim down the concave surfaces with a belt sander and the convex ones with a power planer.

I only do this on the first panels. because the hull is symmetrical, all the bottom and side panels are identical. Once I have the first master panel cut and trimmed exactly to size, I screw it donw onto the other three panels and run round the whole lot with a router and a flush trim bit.

I am building a Laker for my wife at the moment and will start a detailed build thread shortly. If it will help, I will go into more detail on what I do and why.

lofting

a3 plans, did I mention I love my new printer??

most of sheet 1 cut out (thanks Ron for the advice on useing the metal cutting blade, smooooooooth cuts. sorry Mick, I already cut the panels using Rons advice, I might give your way a go next time.)

all the templates stapled to sheet 2 ready for marking and cutting.

Not bad for day 1 of the build, unfortunatly I have to back to work tomorrow so not much will happen till the weekend.


Andrew

G'day Lark,

No problem mate.

Are you on the North or the South side of Brisbane?

northside mate, Lawnton, near Strathpine in Pine rivers.

I loved those pics of your trip to Obi Obi creek, I went bushwalking there with my family and parents a few months ago and we saw a few platapus too, but we were up on top of the gorge and were watching them with binoculars.

I am building a Laker for my wife at the moment and will start a detailed build thread shortly. If it will help, I will go into more detail on what I do and why

I'm not building a Laker, yet, but I'd love to see an indepth build of one, since you are offering.

Kris