USS Washington build

I have the deck parts I will cut out marked with tape. Should I epoxy the bottom of the deck before or after I cut the deck out? I'd think after so you can get the sides of the cut out pieces and the bottom in one shot instead of putting too many layers of epoxy on it.

I will be using a hack saw blade to cut out the deck. Removed from the frame of course.

 

I would do it after for exactly the same reason you listed. Try to do all your cutting first and then hit it with one coat at the end.With the cut out you can reach more of the inside surfaces. I would use a skill saw to make the cutouts but a hacksaw will work. Just be careful with it.

 

good point but i dont know where my skill saw is.

I'll cut out tonight and have pics tomorrow.

What would you guys suggest I make the replacement subdeck rib out of? I have a bunch of barrel stock left over. Hollow but good on lengthwise compression that it will be under.

 

You could use that. I would go with wood, glue it to the underside of the deck and seal it all up.

 

I used a saber saw and it looked and felt like I was ripping the deck apart. I'll stick to the hacksaw blade. Slow and precise.

 

slow and steady wins the race. Every cut i have done so far has been with a coping saw, and some 100 grit sand paper.

 

Anthony... if you haven't built an expansion tank yet, you will find they are easy and fun to make. In my Washington, I have one in the stern for the triples which work great!

Go to Home Depot or Lowes and pick up a four inch piece of usually pre-cut copper piping and two one inch end caps. You can slide the end caps in and out to adjust the length for installation in your boat. Then drill three small holes in one side of the expansion tank which will receive the three 1/8th inch hose nipple.

On the other side, drill one hole which will take another 1/8 hose nipple. Prepare the copper parts for soldering and solder the four nipple in the holes. Then solder the two end caps together and that's it.

The single nipple will fit into the 1/8th air hose from the CO2 bottle, that fills the tank and the three exit nipples fit into the 1/8th hoses that go to the solinoids. There is plenty of air and always a supply for the triples.

That's how I did mine and it works great. I am sure there are other ways, but this seemed to be the easiset for me.

 

thats pretty snappy. thanks

 

I cut the deckholes out and I realized I should have cut 11.5" in from the sides. I have about 1/4" deck past the subdeck. So glue a strip under the subdeck as extra support?

 

I'm guessing you cut into the subdeck as well. Just build it up like you were going to for the pop panels. 1/4 shouldn't weaken the subdeck anyway. You could run a piece of 1/4 by 1/2 all the way down right up against the subdeck leaving you a lip to set your top deck on. Glue it underneath the top deck that remains past your panels.

 

I have 1/4" of deck protruding past the sub deck. I was going to use the pre cut out scrap subdeck parts I got with the sub deck for reinforcing anyway.

 

That will do. Post some pictures, I would love to see how you are making out.

 

Some pics of the deck hole cut out.


The overhang of the main deck past the subdeck.



Front hole Left covered.


Subdeck overhang with added bracing.

 

Hey!!! Nice job ! She's really coming along. I will post on mine soon. I have some surprises in store.

 

Lookin' Great!

Hmmm... My Tirpitz is stirring....

 

I started adding subdeck so that it portrudes past the main deck so that it can support the deck cutouts. Maybe I'll be done with that by the 24th.

 

Great progress so far!

 

Donanton, will you be there the 24th?

 

i think so.

 

cool, ill see you there.