Fig. 5
This Mold is Placed Amidships, in the Center of the Canoe, and Only One is Required
Fig. 6
Straight-Grained Material must be Selected for the Stems, as It Is Necessary to Bend Them to Shape
The Ribbands and Stems
The ribbands are merely strips of wood, ³⁄₄ in. wide, ¹⁄₂ in. thick, and 14 ft. long. Any cheap stuff will do because they are only used to give the correct shape of the canoe curve while building it. Six ribbands are necessary, and it is best to use eight lengths in order to make sure that the ribs are bent at the required angle and that both sides of the canoe are ribbed at the one uniform curve. For the stems ash or oak, ³⁄₄ in. square, is used, and straight-grained material must be selected since it is necessary to bend them to obtain the requisite curve.
To make the pattern for the stem mold, shown in [Fig. 6], draw a rectangle, 24¹⁄₂ in. long by 12 in. wide, and divide it into four equal parts. Lay the rule on the left side at the upper corner, at G, measure down 1 in. and make dot 1. Lay the rule along the top horizontal line and measure 2¹⁄₂ in. from G and make dot 2, then draw a pencil line between them. From dot 1 measure along this line exactly ³⁄₄ in., and make dot 3. From dot 2 measure straight down 1³⁄₄ in. to H, turn at right angles and measure off ⁵⁄₈ in. to the right and make dot 4, and make a pencil line from 2 to 4 as shown. From dot 2 lay the rule parallel with the top horizontal line and measure off 9³⁄₄ in., turn at right angles and measure down on the center line 2¹⁄₄ in. and make dot 5.
Lay the rule at the upper right corner and measure down the vertical line 2³⁄₄ in., turn the rule at right angles and measure off 3⁷⁄₈ in. and make dot 6. From the upper right-hand corner measure off 1⁵⁄₈ in. and make dot 7 exactly ¹⁄₄ in. inside the top horizontal line. Again place the rule at the right-hand corner, measure down the vertical line exactly 2 in. and make dot 8. Draw the line from dot 7 to 8, and ¹⁄₂ in. from dot 8, make dot 9. This gives the correct contour of the stem where it joins the splice of the keel.
Fig. 7
It Is Not Necessary to Make a Paper Pattern for the Keel, or Keelson, as the Piece is Merely Tapered Uniformly from the Center to Ends, and It can be Drawn Direct on the Board
The greatest curve and width of the stem is at J on the lower line. To obtain the correct curve begin at the upper left corner and measure from dot 1 down the vertical line 4¹⁄₂ in. to K, turn the rule at right angles and measure 1¹⁄₄ in. inside the line, and make dot 10. The dot 11 is placed by measuring down from K exactly 3¹⁄₄ in. to L, when the rule is turned at right angles and a length of 4 in. measured off inside of the line. The dot 12 is located in the same manner by measuring 2³⁄₄ in. below L and running 8³⁄₄ in. inside the line, as shown.