Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Strongback Complete

I shaped the stations the same way as on my last build. After sliding them onto the beam, I was surprised at how well everything lined up.
Leveling, squaring, and plumbing all the stations actually seems to work.
This Bow&Stern arrangement worried me a little, but I now think its actually easier than what I had to do with the ladderback. One problem was that I could only view it from this side-too heavy to turn over, and the I-beam blocks the view. I think/hope its straight.

Friday, November 1, 2013

Starting The Build

After much cogitation, and asking for advice on a message board, I decided that the best way to go was by the instructions, and build a box beam. My first attempt was with 3/4" CDX plywood. I built it crooked. I thought that particle board would be more dimensionally stable. It came out nice and straight, and weighed a ton. While I was trimming the ends, it fell to the floor and broke in half. I then got a strong urge to try it with an external strongback, but I'm resisting.
I resorted to using my most-hated building material: OSB board. It seemed to be the most dimensionally stable. 
I'm using the I-beam from the o.I. build as a table, and I made plywood brackets to hold it up.It looks straight.