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Dusek Bireme


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Evan Dembskey

Sun Jul 26 2015, 02:50pm

Registered Member #4637

Joined: Thu Jul 16 2015, 11:49pm
Posts: 11

I completed the first step in the construction of this bireme - gluing veneer over plywood decking. I applied a light layer of Elmer's Carpenter's Wood Glue over the plywood and spread it with my finger. The plywood bowed in a concave manner rather badly. In my surprise I forgot to photograph it.

I applied the veneer and placed the entire deck section under a steel ruler with approximately 600 grams (21 ounces I believe) spread evenly on the ruler.

The next morning the plywood/veneer deck had resumed its normal flat shape.

I repeated the process with the second section of the lower deck, trying to use less glue, but the result was the same, though less dramatic. This time I did photograph it. I again used the ruler and weight to apply pressure for some hours.

In the second photo I show the deck with a x-acto knife in front of it to show the bowing.

My next step is to sand the edges of the deck (the veneer has approximately a .5mm overhang), and then to work on the beams and oarmen's seats which attach to the beam. The instructions show that the beam should be attached to the lower deck and then the seats added. but it seems to me that it's easier to get the seat spacing right by gluing them to the beam before gluing the beam to the deck.

aew

Sun Jul 26 2015, 04:36pm

aew

Registered Member #1929

Joined: Wed Nov 30 2011, 03:05pm
Posts: 2618

I'm surprised that the plywood bowed that way. That tends to suggest that the grain of the top layer runs across the deck rather than along it.
Weighing it down while the glue dries is probably the best solution but you could also try wiping the other side of the plywood with a damp cloth.

Evan Dembskey

Mon Jul 27 2015, 01:22am

Registered Member #4637

Joined: Thu Jul 16 2015, 11:49pm
Posts: 11

I'm also surprised. I'll give the damp cloth method a shot, thanks.

It also occurs to me that, if I was to paint the beam with the seats on, now would be the time. Painting it after I attach it to the lower deck would make the task harder.

donfarr

Mon Jul 27 2015, 01:57am

Registered Member #2001

Joined: Fri Dec 23 2011, 09:51pm
Posts: 1294

Hi Evan, I have a couple of the Dusek kits the Trimmee which is finished and the large Gokstsadt which is almost finihed, in my past and present builds for thin veneers I use only elmers white not any carpenters glue which tends to make matters worse I dampen the back of the plywood and clamp with large Irwin clamps let it set for a day and if there is still some bow I do it again so far it has worked, hope this helps. Don