PocketShip.net

Still working on the keel and have read the instruction that says to coat the hollow areas of the trunk with un-thickened epoxy (I'm sure they meant keel instead of trunk). The pictures look like all the inside areas of the keel have been epoxied, even those areas that will have hot lead poured in. If this is true I'm glad I'll be wearing a respirator, and I'll make sure there is no one in the area!

Anyway, it seems to me that the lead should effectively seal the wood and you would only need to epoxy the top 3/4" or so.

I wonder also about the lead melting the epoxy and epoxy glue joints. Should not be a problem though as long as the cinder blocks are clamped firmly to the sides--and they did it on the prototype (and so have many builders) without problems. I'm just curious.

Pouring lead also caused me a lot of unwarranted angst. I used and iron teapot and a turkey fryer to heat the lead. Removed the dross with a steel spoon. I wore a respirator, goggles, welders gloves and welding apron. My daughter monitored the entire things and stood by with a fire extinguisher and a hand on the propane valve. It was hot work, lots of the odor of wood burning and the smell of my own fear. In the end it went well.

Thanks, but I think you missed the main question (because of all my rambling). Did you spread epoxy on the inside surfaces of the well that holds the lead or leave them bare?

Ahhh sorry, I completely coated the inside with epoxy.

Shudoman wrote:Ahhh sorry, I completely coated the inside with epoxy.

Eases my mind--thanks!