aidanjames
New member
I would keep the grain horizontal because if it takes up a curve, it will be then be up or down, not bent off to one side. Chappelle (Boatbuilding) recommends planing any taper into the top and sides, leaving the bottom flat assuming it will be tightened down by the bobstay. I agree that D.Fir is the wood to use. Making spars with a draw knife then a jack plane is a nice job. I have an old wood bodied one. You can sometimes pick them up at junk shops. Its good to get old tools working again.
