Ques for Tony Latham

[Sara-TNT]

Hi Tony,
I have a question regarding your book. In the book it says to cut off 2 1/8 from the ceiling from bulkhead forward.

My finished inside wall (I haven't attached the outside wall yet) measures 118" which includes the 3/8 gap before the hatch. Or....117 5/8 that sits on the floor. This is only the section that sits on the floor. When I add the 2 1/8" to 17 5/8" for the outer wall the ceiling won't cover the front floor unless I make some adjustments. It's very possible I sanded too much.

But then, I keep doing the math on 2" poplar spars (which are actually 1 1/2") plus 1/8" headliner and I don't get to 2 1/8" that is past the front wall for the ceiling. So I'm wondering if I need to make even more adjustments. I've learned that you have thought out the measurements carefully so I don't want to change anything if I'm still on track.

One more question, can you confirm the spars are 1"x 2"?

Thank you

 

[Sara-TNT]

Ok, I think I figured out part of the problem. I need to cut back another 3/8" on the wall for the seal. I didn't cut back far enough. Still not sure how the poplar spars plus 1/8" headliner will line up but I trust it will all work out.

 

[Tony Latham]

But then, I keep doing the math on 2" poplar spars (which are actually 1 1/2") plus 1/8" headliner and I don't get to 2 1/8" that is past the front wall for the ceiling.

That leaves room for a 1/16" glue line top and bottom. And yes, the spars are 1" wide by 2" high.

Tony

 

[Sara-TNT]

I'd like to confirm something else. It looks like the exterior wall is even with the galley after the bulkhead. Can I trim the exterior wall aft of the bulkhead to be even with the top of the galley? Or do I need to leave extra as I did forward from the bulkhead?

 

[Tony Latham]

Can I trim the exterior wall aft of the bulkhead to be even with the top of the galley? Or do I need to leave extra as I did forward from the bulkhead?

I'm not sure what you're asking?

Remind me what you did in front of the bulkhead.

Tony

 

[Sara-TNT]

On the forward section of the teardrop, the outside wall is higher than the inside wall by 2 1/8". This makes space for the spars, and headliner. In the galley, I think I should trim the external wall on the top of the teardrop so that it is even with the interior wall but I'm unclear from the book if it's ok to do that, or if I still need the outside wall to be above in the galley section.

 

[Sara-TNT]

Here is another picture. I think when I trim the exterior wall that once I get to the galley, I should make it the same height on the top (the bottom will still extend past the floor). The X mark where I think I should trim to be even with the skeleton. But I can't tell from the pictures in the book.

 

[Tony Latham]

I think I should trim the external wall on the top of the teardrop so that it is even with the interior wall

Don't do it. You install the headliner on top of the skeleton, and then the spars on top of it. They butt up to the exterior sheathing.

I'm confused about — it looks like the galley part of the wall isn't high enough. It should be at the same height as the exterior sheathing.

Is the pencil line above the 2-1/4" mark actually 2-1/4"?

Here's the detail from the book:

Tony

 

[Sara-TNT]

Look at the first picture again (ignore the second one). I wanted to confirm that on the galley part of the wall that it was supposed to be the same height as the exterior sheathing. If so, then I was going to trim the exterior sheathing only at the galley part of the wall so it was the same height as the galley wall. If you tell me not to do that, I won't.

I would leave the rest of the exterior sheathing on the wall from the bulkhead forward with 2and 1/4" higher than the skeleton (and 1 1/4" below the skeleton) I've only attached exterior sheathing on one wall so far and I cut it to leave more than 2 1/4 on the large piece, so the marking is incorrect. I left more space in case I messed up.

 

[Tony Latham]

I wanted to confirm that on the galley part of the wall that it was supposed to be the same height as the exterior sheathing.

Correct. I think you're fine.

Tony

p.s. And make sure the other wall is a mirror image of the first, so you don't end up with two right walls.

 

[Sara-TNT]

Thank you!

 

[DrillerLuke]

I'm not sure what you're asking?

Remind me what you did in front of the bulkhead.

Tony

Good afternoon, I wanted to ask you about the door layout. I hope you don't mind me jumping on this thread. In the book on page 52 it says the door is 28-1/4" by 36-1/4". Back edge of the door is noted as 58" from the front of the cabin. This layout makes the front edge of the door almost exactly on top of the butt joint on the template. Looking at page 60 the door is to the right of the spline joint by several inches. I see on the above diagram that the door is noted as 26-1/4" by 36-1/4". Would you mind clarifying which way is correct? Thank you for all the insight you have provided.

 

[Tony Latham]

Would you mind clarifying which way is correct?

Sometimes I wonder about the guy who wrote that book.

Page 52 is correct. I think the diagram on page 60 was my attempt to show how the skeleton piece comes together.

Having written nine books, this was my most difficult. I had to finish something on the build, and then move to my desk in the house and try to explain what I had just done in the shop. And as you see, I bounced around within the book.

Keep asking questions,

Tony

 

[DrillerLuke]

Thank you, I appreciate the quick response. I'm working through the book. It's a great resource. I'll keep you posted.