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Adding on to the Sacred Space
by George Shannon gjs309@magiclink.com
(Be sure and read George's column on this same subject)
| My guess is that no matter what size of shop anyone has, it could always be
bigger. My shop (garage) was 400 sqft before I added 175 sqft this winter. Building
Microtrawler in 1999 was a stretch in that space and I could only keep it in there until
the hull was rolled over and the superstructure began. Access all around the boat was
limited and machine space was at a premium. |
Teal was a breeze and I could crank
out several at once if driven to. |
I began "Ellen", a 12 ft
lapstrake sail\row boat, recently featured in Woodenboat. |
This required a floor jig and stretched the shop to it’s
maximum capacity. I had to move some machines out in order to safely get around. After
completing the floor jig about 50%, I stopped and decided to knock out a wall and add on a
cutting room to free up some floor space. |
| I have never built in the dead of winter with the ground already frozen 3 to 4
inches down. From the start I had to use a pick to dig the footings and had to keep the
ground covered and heated to pour and cure the concrete. It took over a week for curing
even after adding hot water and calcium to the mix. |
| Working with an injured arm, I had to hire my son to do all of the heavy work
and we had a good time working together. He is a far better craftsman than old Dad and
much more patient. He said he learned a lot from me, but it was really the other way
round. The framing and rough work is the fastest and most fun for me. |
| The rest of the work went easy for me because my son did all of that. The
building inspector fortunately was a helpful sort and in no way made my life miserable. I
know this is not true everywhere. |
| So far after my shoulder surgery even with one hand, I have been enjoying the
new addition. I look forward to completing Ellen over the next year or so and hopefully
other boats as well. |
(Be sure and read George's column on this same subject)
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