Saturday 29 October

This reminds me of my work before I retired – working weekends to meet an arbitrary deadline! Paul rang to see if I was going in before I’d left home. He was there already and wanted to know what the priority job was. With JP wanting his orbital sander back I suggested Paul used it to finish the thwarts before JP came in to get it. So when I got to the shed I could hear the familiar din it makes well before going in. I’m sure the neighbours will be pleased when the boats are finished.

I did a check of the glued on rowlock blocks and found the masking tape had saved me a lot of sanding but there was still some to do before I could start varnishing.

Paul finished sanding and started routing the thwart edges into nice round sections.

Paul on the router.

I cracked open the AWL Wood clear primer and put on my mask to filter out the fumes. I used a foam brush as the primer is very runny and is sort of smeared on so that it soaks in to protect the wood. The foam brush also makes it easier to get into the gaps in the gunwales. It took a long time to get around the gunwales and Paul left the thwarts ready for me to coat after I had had lunch at about 2.30pm. It was really good of Paul to turn up today. I wouldn’t have got to the thwarts without him. Thanks Paul.

One coat on, 8 to go.
Going to be an awesome display boat.
The favourite part.

Good job that this Awl Wood varnish goes off in humidity as it was bucketing down outside and getting very cold. Hope it’s better tomorrow for the second coat.

Cheers Dave