THE Teardrop Explorer

[KCStudly]

Obviously you know your way around forming wood, and must surely have previous experience. It will be a pleasure to watch you work.

The "nuts" wisecrack was meant to come from a position of amazement. I'd like to think that my build is ambitious, and yet your plans blow all others away.

How do you plan on forming the semi-spherical segments at the corners of your tongue box? Will you be using tapered sections like the corners on the Stainless Steel Micro Airstream being built by ST1100, or something different?

You seem to have it all fairly well thought out, so I am sure you already have a plan, but I would like to share a thought that you have inspired in me. I can envision the top of your tongue box being made from a mat of alternating end grain squares glued up in a checker board pattern, then formed over your TB lid form. Just an image I had. I have no idea how it could be done and have the curved corners blend in well. Maybe do a faux "fabric fold" in the wood pattern reminiscent of many air brush paint art subjects (waving checkered flag images come to mind).

Watching your dream become a reality will definitely be my pleasure.

[PubUltraStar]

Obviously you know your way around forming wood, and must surely have previous experience.

Actually, this is my first attempt at bending wood. I think that it was a gamble, considering that I've never tried anything like this before, but worst case, I could skin the teardrop like everyone else. Using this method will hopefully create a functional and unique tear that is beautiful. I find it a challenge to try new things, and the internet pretty much told me everything I needed to know about steam bending wood. The other skills are there from years of tinkering.

How do you plan on forming the semi-spherical segments at the corners of your tongue box?

I do plan on using "slivers" to make the corner. I think that will be the most challenging part of the lid. Since I can only do one piece at a time as they come off the mold, I think that I'll have plenty of time to figure out the best way to do it. If all else fails, I can fill in the gap with bondo or epoxy and paint the corners a solid color. Thanks for the ideas on the lid, and the checkerboard would look cool. Planning ahead is a big part of this build, but I'm sure like everyone else, a bunch of stuff is just made up as I go along. Thanks for watching my build.

[PubUltraStar]

I made the trip today to a hardwood supplier near Monroe, Wisconsin today to order the "green" white oak for the teardrop. I also picked out an 8 foot green plank to take home with me to test bend. I sent the rough cut board through the planer, and then used the table saw to cut a 1" x 1/4" x 8' strip. I put this in the steamer for about 40 minutes, and it was like rubber when I pulled it out. It bent around the tongue box frame template very easily. Looks like I've got a winner, and making the choice to go with white oak that has not been dried in any fashion is the way to go. I will probably still try and add accent pieces to the tear, but will be mostly white oak. Very pleased with the results today.

[KCStudly]

Waiting patiently for pics.

[PubUltraStar]

I spent the entire day working on the tear. I started out by making a trip to allocate some supplies, including the deck plywood. I was able to send two additional pieces through the steam box and on onto the mold. The "green" white oak is very easy to bend. I should have the remaining wood ready for pick up later this week. I was able to work on the tongue box, tongue box lid, and cut the deck plywood today. Exhausted, but plan on working on the deck again tomorrow.



Here is a close up of the white oak attached to the hatch template.


This is the tongue box flipped upside-down with the first piece of bended wood glued to the box. I got 2 pieces now installed.

[KCStudly]

Nice!

The build's really rolling now.

[DMcCam]

Wow Mike, you're really coming along on her!!! With the bent wood on the hatch, you could get away with only a few ribs I'd guess? Less weight is always a good thing. My hatch must weigh about 75 pounds !

All the Best,

Dave

[PubUltraStar]

I'm sure it will be heavier than most all around. Here is a quick video in high speed showing how I bend a 1/4" x 3" piece of white oak around the hatch template. This piece was in the steam box for about 40 minutes with the internal temperature showing 212 degrees.

Click on the image below to watch video

[PubUltraStar]

It's been a few weeks since my last update, but life gets in the way of my build. A weekend art fair for my photography, a couple other weekends working at the Lake Rescue Service, and travel have kept my build moving slowly. The good news is that that "green" white oak that I ordered for the build was ready and I went and picked it up today. He knew that I wanted premium lumber, and cutting to my specifications took a bit longer, but said that he has veneer quality boards for my project.

75 Boards, most at 12 feet in length at 3" wide and 1/2" thick, came out to be less than $.20/foot. Much, much cheaper than buying from the big box stores, and less waste since they were able to get them down to 1/2" thick.

<Mr. Burns>Excellent...</Mr.Burns>

My Yeti 65 cooler was also delivered, so I can design and build the galley around that. Finished the logo design yesterday, and have my Maine trailer registration and title paperwork completed. Everything is coming up Milhouse. Now, to find some free time.

[PubUltraStar]

I'm the king of clamps! I know that you're sick of seeing more pictures of my steam bending template, but I finally got the white oak on all three molds. This is the first time I've bent the longest piece for the main profile. I may have some time tomorrow to work on the deck.

[E. Aaron Scott]

Looks like it is going to be awesome!

[TRP]

Wow. So far, really impressive.

Signing on to watch this one come together.

T

[PubUltraStar]

More steam bending, so no new build pics as it is more of the same. I did cut out my logo and slap it on my new YETI cooler.



I realize that I won't get to the Galley part of the build for a while. I even bought a dovetail jig so that I can build my own pull-out drawer for the cooler. I have a couple more busy weekends, and then I'm going to have some more time to dedicate to the teardrop.

[S. Heisley]

.
Nice!

[PubUltraStar]

Another non-image update: Although my tear is not even close to being done, I went through the process of registering and getting a title for the trailer. Like others on this I went through Maine, and got my plate today. Immediately ordered a vanity plate. Amazing how simple they make it. Wisconsin doesn't require plates for trailers under 2,000 lbs, but I wanted the custom vanity plate. I didn't want the name to be taken when I finished the trailer, so I did it early. Baby steps....