Ethel has began

[Ben]

[album][/album]
I made too many mistakes to resume work on the weekender so I have started from scratch with my new build called Lookout Ethel. I ran a little short on 2x3 tube so I have order more and will be here this weekend. I still to order my axle and wheels I think I found the wheels I like and they have A zero offset so I hope they work. Now I have to figure out the hub face to hub face measurement. Well it's dinner time so I have Togo

[mikeschn]

Hi Ben,

So what happened to the Weekender exactly?

Mike...

[Ben]

I was informed that the plywood I used wasn't good enough and I don't want to take a chance on building something that was going to delaminate in a year or two. I've read of people using this and that so really I'm confused on what to really use so I figured on using marine ply on the walls and floor and the galley will be of regular 3/4" ply. And the framing will be out of the white oak I got free. I just have to mill all down to size. It's a lot of work but I enjoy it!!

[CliffinGA]

Ben even marine ply will delaminate bud, any wood will delaminate! If its sealed right cheap wood will last a long time. I have a small tear I picked up for $600 and its from what I found out is 12yrs and it has some slight rotting where the previous owner lets his kids play in it and they left a window down for like 3 months. It is made out of xheap 1/2" ply and the previous owner sealed the exterior very well as the rot is only in the floor and not in the sides. Don't give up on your weekender just get the cpes or epoxy and seal the wood properly.

Cliff

[Ben]

Thanks for the info cliff. I had planned on using cpes anyways but I got a little nervous when everyone said to use marine ply but with that said they were under the impression that I was building a woody. But I would rather cover in aluminum I'm not sure if I'm upto to woody skill level yet. Maybe 1 day but not today.

[Ben]

Well I'm another step closer to starting to body. I finished welding what I had left to do for now. Here a few updated pics.

this is the white oak frame dry fit

Here are the gussets I installed with double biscuits and screws


And another view
.

I fabled the frame from 2x3x.120 wall tube steel with a 3x3x.120 wall tube for the tongue. The hitch style is still up in the air not sure what i want to do yet. I stick welded most with 7018 and finished today with a mig welder which was a lot quicker and easier.

[Ben]

I got bored so I added some handles and the safety chain links to the tongue last night. .

[jeff0520]

I got bored so I added some handles and the safety chain links to the tongue last night. .

The tongue handles are awesome! I may have to do that myself

[Ben]

Thanks it don't take much I used 1/2" stainless steel slick rod it's some left over material from another project I done.

[droid_ca]

This is a good build I like the tongue handles that you did good idea I may have to borrow that..

[Ben]

Go ahead I borrowed from another build

[Ben]

Well this was where I started this weekend .then to the black goo stuff

Then this is what I was hoping for

So I made it that far so I went a little farther. And I got to this point
And back to this point. .
I need to layout for the spars and get back to planning boards for that task.but I needed a snack so I came home for a bit and might get back out there in a little bit. We do this for fun right? I don't work to well when I'm hungry lol...

[Junkboy999]

Ben

Cliff is right. As long as the wood is properly sealed it will last. You might have to go back and reseal it
again if you use it alot. I really love the working space you got there. I got a nice garage I use as a workshop
but it is full of tool and wood. I’m Jealous of your usable floor space.

[Ben]

Thanks it took me a long time to get a shop. But I did it a little at a time. The hardest part is trying to keep others from putting all their junk in it.

[crumbruiser]

I think it looks good too. I also like your work space [sort of work place envy ]. I noticed Ohio plates by the Yamaha sign. I'm in Columbus.
Frank