Need keel help with Phantom
 

I am attempting to put the 1/8" keel piece on the bow. I have tried it three times and can't get the piece to fit right. I know that the shop notes say to glue strips together, draw the piece with the template, then make several passes with an x-acto knife. I can't seem to get this piece to cut out correctly-does anyone have any construction tips on how to do this keel installation? Any help is greatly appreciated!

Re: Need keel help with Phantom
 

Is this the section you are working on? I didn't seem to have to much trouble with this section. Does your template fit fairly close? I glued some strips together then shaved off as much as I could then sanded the rest by hand. In my photo you can see where I traced the outside radius. The template should fit pretty closely as I have shown in the second photo.

Can you post some photos of what you have? I am sure we can figure something out. :=)

Re: Need keel help with Phantom
 

Thanks for the help, Don- I am embarrassed to say that in frustration I threw the past keels away- I am doing another glue up and putting the stencil on it- should have a photo soon-

Jeff

Re: Need keel help with Phantom
 

Since the hull will be painted black and mostly covered with copper plates....dont fret about it so much. Wood filler is your friend. Try not to get burned out by this one small area that will be covered up any way. I would concentrate on making the outside shape correct and if you have gaps between it and the hull.....fill them. Once painted it will look perfectly well done.

Chuck

Re: Need keel help with Phantom
 

I don't think you will ever get an exact fit and that's why they invented wood filler and sandpaper. I spent plenty of time sanding filling sanding filling until I got it right. After paint and or copper it will look perfect.

Re: Need keel help with Phantom
 

Thanks guys-I was trying to get the cut piece to fit exactly on the bow-no gaps, perfect fit. Now I see that it isn't necessary to play the perfectionist-will give it another try!

Re: Need keel help with Phantom
 

I also tried to follow the directions, but could not make a solid stem. Instead I got a piece of 1/8 by 4" sheet and traced the whole thing out as a unit instead of three little pieces which are very difficult to glue together