: What is the best method to install a brass stem band? I am worried that if I
: drill and counter sink the brass before I bend it around the stem, that it
: will break at the holes. I have thought about drilling one hole at a time
: and screwing it down before doing another. Any information from someone
: who has done this would be helpful. Thanks, George

Hi George

Just how thick is your brass band? Is it thin enough to flex at all, and/or can you bend it easily? Brass is usually pretty forgiving and workable. I would say that you could bend the shallow curve by hand, putting a screw in at a time and working up to the next. When it gets up to the hard bend, just work it around with a rubber mallet, lightly, then drill. The rubber mallet shouldn't hurt the brass and will form the soft metal. I've never done this particular job, but, I have bent brass strapping this way.

If it were me, and it's not, Yet.... then I would attempt to bend the strip in this fashion, putting the first screw in at the keel. Then bend the entire band, using the rubber mallet, and when it's properly shaped, remove it and take it to the workbench and accurately measure and drill the holes w/countersink. Then take it to the boat again and place it back on with the one screw and "mark" the holes with a sharp pencil and take the band off again. Pre-drill the holes in the stems, up to, but not including, the countersink and then install the brass band. The reasoning being: You only have one chance to get it right. Trying to hold a strap of metal, lining it up and drilling ( keeping the drill square on both axis') is not an easy task. You're doing 3 jobs in one step. Takes at least 3 hands and two lines of sight to get it exactly right that way. I don't like to take chances, especially with something like that you've worked very hard to get to this stage.

If you are mounting into hardwood, it will be difficult, even with pre-drilled holes, and require some force. You don't want to snap off any of the screws at this stage or any other for that matter. What I normally do is get some parafin wax and scrape the screw threads over it to get just a tad on the end of the screw. That way the screw will work much easier going in. A bar of soap will also work. Good luck with your task!

Rehd