Today the final hull assembly has begun, scarph joins strengthened and with better bevels. Elliot's Paradox Building Manual describes this process as "physical", and it is, but for me the overriding task was to make sure I get it right.
Obviously, everything needs to be made square and true. The problem arises that as you correct one aspect if this flexible 3D puzzle, it puts other measurements out. And, you were never told this at school, timber has it's own preferences. So it's a matter of getting it mostly right.
After setting everything up and fiddling about for a while, I haven't got it right yet. But I am guided by my readings (plans, building guide and blogs) and personal experience, so here are my guideing tips that I am using:-
* mark all bulkheads with centerlines; front and back, top and bottom.
* mark bulkhead locations on hull sides, inside and out.
* make the jig square and level with crossmembers under bulkheads 2 and 4.
* run a stringline along the top of the jig.
* make sure bulkheads are square to the centerline, bulkheads are on their hull side marks and cross-check diagonals.
* fit the floor timber in the main cabin to check squareness.
* when your close to right, tack bulkheads in place (small nails, overruled and only partway home).
* when you're done lining up, insert gloop and barbed nails and diagonal braces.
* do one final check and leave it alone.
As the gloop sets and the nails bite, remember that, like the proverbial Captain, any error you have made, will remain with the ship.
Do your best!
To be continued...
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