Tools and Workshop

RADIO YACHTS WITH THE CANTERBURY "J" ASSOCIATION ~ Tools and Workshop

BUILDING A J

What tools you might need to build a J

all thumbnail pictures have larger files that can be downloaded with a left click.

My first workshop was contained in a small suitcase that on occasion was allowed to grace the kitchen table - slotcars were the rage and many a speedster was created from the pliers, mini vice, butane torch and soldering iron.

Since then, nearly forty years of married life has seen the acquisition of many tools and accessories and workshop benches in some cramped outhouse or garden shed.. When building a J you will always need to buy one more tool at least! However one skill that is needed above all else is that of cultivating a 'good buddy"! They may not be willing to lend a particular tool on demand but they will always offer to do the work for you.

My present workshop is in a continual fight with the two cars that usually use the space for garaging. During the timber ripping, sanding, beam installation stages, my RVR has become quite used to living outside - has done so for three Js and is about to be banished again as J 100 is erected on the glueing jig. Pictured left (click for a larger view) is a snap of where the RVR usually lives, but now occupied by J90 in the glueing jig, a belt sander, a seven inch sawbench, and a very underpowered jigsaw.. Of these three power tools the most used and abused is a very ancient Dremel belt sander with a four inch disc (right) It is indispensable for making the angles and trimming lengths of decking timbers, shaping hunks of aluminium, tapering stainless steel rods and numerous other jobs - it must have done 'many thousands of miles' so last year I bought a flasher version to replace it, a Frejoth (left) but the old Dremel keeps just grinding on.

As well as a belt sander, one other tool is in constant use, a natty little variable speed high speed hand drill of the Dremel Mototool stable. I have two Dremels, one battery powered, that are used more for grinding, shaping, and polishing than drilling. The Dremel is an expensive accessory and the recently introduced Black and Decker (Wharehouse COLT) clone is much cheaper. No respectable J builder should be found without one!

So much for the preamble - what do we need to build a "J" ?

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INDISPENSABLES

Workbench ~ hand saws ~ hack saw ~ hand or power drill ~ small vice ~ belt sander ~ numerous clamps ~ steel rulers ~ square ~ hobby knives ~ files, sandpapers, and sanding blocks ~ quick and slow setting glues ~ spray paints (cans) ~

NICE TO HAVEs

Band saw ~ Bench saw ~ Fret saw ~ metal turning lathe ~ light brazing gear ~

(still building page)

	BUILDING A J What tools you might need to build a J **all thumbnail pictures have larger files that can be downloaded with a left click.**
My first workshop was contained in a small suitcase that on occasion was allowed to grace the kitchen table - slotcars were the rage and many a speedster was created from the pliers, mini vice, butane torch and soldering iron. Since then, nearly forty years of married life has seen the acquisition of many tools and accessories and workshop benches in some cramped outhouse or garden shed.. When building a J you will always need to buy one more tool at least! However one skill that is needed above all else is that of cultivating a 'good buddy"! They may not be willing to lend a particular tool on demand but they will always offer to do the work for you. My present workshop is in a continual fight with the two cars that usually use the space for garaging. During the timber ripping, sanding, beam installation stages, my RVR has become quite used to living outside - has done so for three Js and is about to be banished again as J 100 is erected on the glueing jig. Pictured left (click for a larger view) is a snap of where the RVR usually lives, but now occupied by J90 in the glueing jig, a belt sander, a seven inch sawbench, and a very underpowered jigsaw.. Of these three power tools the most used and abused is a very ancient Dremel belt sander with a four inch disc (right) It is indispensable for making the angles and trimming lengths of decking timbers, shaping hunks of aluminium, tapering stainless steel rods and numerous other jobs - it must have done 'many thousands of miles' so last year I bought a flasher version to replace it, a Frejoth (left) but the old Dremel keeps just grinding on. As well as a belt sander, one other tool is in constant use, a natty little variable speed high speed hand drill of the Dremel Mototool stable. I have two Dremels, one battery powered, that are used more for grinding, shaping, and polishing than drilling. The Dremel is an expensive accessory and the recently introduced Black and Decker (Wharehouse COLT) clone is much cheaper. No respectable J builder should be found without one! So much for the preamble - what do we need to build a "J" ? Back to Top
INDISPENSABLES	Workbench ~ hand saws ~ hack saw ~ hand or power drill ~ small vice ~ belt sander ~ numerous clamps ~ steel rulers ~ square ~ hobby knives ~ files, sandpapers, and sanding blocks ~ quick and slow setting glues ~ spray paints (cans) ~






NICE TO HAVEs	Band saw ~ Bench saw ~ Fret saw ~ metal turning lathe ~ light brazing gear ~
	(still building page)