I need a l-o-n-g dowel...

[ThreeSummers]

12mm diameter, and about 6.5 meters long (x2), hardwood.

I can join a couple of shorter pieces, but preferably not more than two.

Anyone have any idea were I can source this?

 

[bbg]

Does it need to be wood? If not, perhaps think of some other materials and applications that might use that material.

Good luck.

 

[Poignard]

I once had some mahogany dowelling made by Robbins Timber Ltd of Bristol.

 

[andrewbodenham]

Can you tell us what it's for?

 

[peterg]

That's a very thin mast..... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[sailorman]

"Stilts" 4 his wobblylegs /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[wiggy]

A very narrow hull!!!

 

[tobble]

depth alarm

 

[ThreeSummers]

[ QUOTE ]
Can you tell us what it's for?

[/ QUOTE ]

Sure - it's for finishing off the joint where my deck meets the side of the boat. Deck is 6mm thick sitting above and just inboard from the rubrail, a 12mm dowel will sit in that notch nicely, leaving 6mm above the deck, which is just enough to create an lip to stop feet slipping off the deck. Sort of a toe-rail, but not really a toe rail.

This rail runs from bow to transom.

 

[ThreeSummers]

[ QUOTE ]
I once had some mahogany dowelling made by Robbins Timber Ltd of Bristol.

[/ QUOTE ]

I will try them. Good service from them supplying ply wood previously.

 

[Robin2]

Wouldn't square section timber fit the notch better - then plane/sand the outer corner to a curve after fitting?

 

[Lakesailor]

or get a section planed or routed by a woodman.

 

[ThreeSummers]

The angle of the notch (the 'v') changes quite a bit over the length of the boat, and the only way I can think of getting a more or less constant appearance is to use a round section...

 

[Hoolie]

There's a discount timber/kitchen store on the A27 near the turn off to Port Solent - I don't remember the name. They stock hardwood broom handles at just over £1 each. They're high quality timber and most of them are as straight as a die! Obviously not as long as you need but can be set end to end. I too was looking for dowel and they're perfect or what I want /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[Robin2]

I would consider putting separate pieces of "square" section suitable to the different areas along the edge and when the outer edges are planed it would look like a single piece. I am guessing that it is not carrying any structural loads.

If you could run a shaped router bit along the installed "square" timber it should be possible to get a very even finish with little effort. The router bits with ball-races that limit the damage they do work very well.

If there is a large gap under the dowel I think it will be difficult to glue it in place - unless you use a lot of epoxy to fill the space, for example.

 

[ThreeSummers]

Just an update...

I found "hardwood" dowels, 2.4m long, that work for me. 15mm turned out best, and decided not to go for long strips, leaving gaps where the cleats are going...

I have no idea what the wood is, but it's light (in weight and colour), straight grained and flexible! Got it from Champions.

Epoxy glued and filleted to the boat:

Regards,

Wobb.

 

[snowleopard]

You can get any section made to order by a timber merchant who has a spindle moulder. If you can't track one down locally, try Barnes Branch of High Wycombe who did a good job of making teak and oak mouldings for my last project.