Hi Bob, etal.

Thanks for all the great inputs! I started adding strips, bead side up, and found it easiest to deposit glue in the new strip's cove and then flip it over. The redwood has many color variations and should prove interesting. I am still working on the epoxy selection. I appreciated the many comments about the preparation of wood as I am also about to build kitchen cabinets as part of a remodeling. The old cabints will just have to go to the workshop .... if there is room as the 20 foot kayak just fits now.

Thanks again, Steve in San Diego

> Hi Steve,

> I've done 2 yaks out of all redwood and it worked out really well. There
> are a couple of things to keep an eye on tho....

> 1. Color variations: When wet with epoxy the color of redwood deepens
> nicely. I have some strips that turned almost black. If you butt two
> differnt color strips together it really calls atention to the joint. So
> before doing a pattern or butting two strips together try to get the
> closest color match possible. (I laid all the strips out in the bright
> sunlight and recieved a great deal of assistance from my girlfriend, I saw
> 4 color groups, she saw about 15, and had names for them!)

> 2. Density and flexibility: The darkest color stips (the heartwood) tend
> to be very soft and brittle. The sapwood (white) is harder and more
> flexible. There tends to be a lot of differences even in strips cut from
> the same board. On mine I used the white strips for sharp bends or
> curves-much less breakage. If you staple the strips be carefull with the
> softer ones, sometimes the staple will sink into the strip, leaving a
> gouge that must be filled and than planed or sanded out.

> 3. And if you put the cove side up its easier to glue and a lot less messy
> but much harder to clamp the strip into place without breaking the cove
> edges. If you put the cove side down its much easier to clamp and get the
> strips into place, but more of a mess. I always pick the mess, since a
> little more mess can't even be detected in my garage.

> Good luck and happy building

> Bob