The little Cat project hasn't died, it's just had a rearrangement in my priority list.
What's been delaying it is the need for strakes. What has something seemingly so easy been such a huge delay you ask?
Because I want strakes so sharp they will cut your fingers to shreds if you mishandle them,
I have been pondering how I could make something that is the length needed (14" or so), and the width and depth as well. The piece would have to have a 100% consistent width and depth throughout its entire length, so that means some sort of machining process that can be repeated. That also means the strake has to be made of a hard material that is easily machinable, rigid, but somewhat flexible, with a smooth ride surface that is 100% flat and does not require any additional finishing.
I wouldn't want to use most woods because I don't think they are hard enough to have the necessary consistency for the machining process. Carbon fiber is too expensive where the strength really isn't needed. The solution? G-10 (a fiberglass laminate product).
Now, how to cut it? A table saw comes close, but because of the tiny dimensions (1/4" high and maybe 3/32" thick) I don't think the consistency would be there and thus the long time to come up with a solution. What to do?
Eureka! I have an idea....
I'm going to mill a slot in a piece of aluminum such that a square strip of G-10 I cut on the table saw will slide in the slot. Along one side face of the slot. I'll install a linear wave spring to keep the G-10 in constant pressure on the other side of the slot. I'll make a bolt-on top with another wave spring to fully capture the G-10 strip I cut on the saw, yet allow it to slide in and out the slot I created. Then I can clamp this aluminum block at the proper deadrise angle to the bit in my milling machine. I can then locate the mill bit such that pushing the G-10 through the slot engages it it the cutter and Voila`!! I have the pre-finished G-10 surface as the ride surface with a REALLY sharp edge that will require little to no fairing in to the hull bottom and have a razor-sharp chine. Best of all, this is REPEATABLE.
Stay Tuned
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