Where to source wood for a 8 1/2ft Spinnaker pole?

Roach1948

Roach1948

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www.dallimoredesigns.nl
Now I have decided to make a dedicated spinnaker pole and forget my not-so-clever boat hook idea. So I need another ash pole (preferably as cheap as possible) and 1 1/2 - 1 2/3 inch diameter - any ideas?

Oh- yeh, preferably already round as it will save me loads of time!
 
Why not have some fun making a pole from square stock. If you start from a square stock, then you can taper both ends.

Tapering is difficult to do accurately with an already-round lump of wood.

You'll need a spar gauge of course :-)
 
I thought of that but I don't think I have the time/ tools/experience to do it without ending up with a wonky wiggly thing that looks more like Gandalf's staff - but any tips on an easy fullproof method gratefully recieved...
 
Taking from square to round is amazingly simple, and well worth the reward.

1. Start with <u>absolutely</u> square timber
2. Taper the ends as desired, but maintain the square cross section
3. Using a spar gauge, scribe the faces
4. Plane the corners 4-side timber to the gauge marks, to produce an 8-sided timber
5. By eye plane the corners off to create a 16-sided stock
(6. and then a 32-sided stock)
7. Finish off with sandpaper to take all remaining corners off.

The important thing is <u>not</u> to try to plane straight into a round section - only go from 4side to 8side to 16 side and so on. Be patient with the planing.

A spar gauge is a U-shaped scrap of wood with two sharp points at a set distance apart relating to the size of the 'U'. Due to the geometry it can be used on varying sizes of wood, and copes automatically with the tapers. Someone on here will have the ratios to hand I guess.
 
I would start by sourcing the end fittings and then taper the spar to fit.
Sitka Spruce is far lighter than Douglas Fir but watch for tiny checks (cracks) across the grain.
All these projects,you will have one smart vessel !
 
[ QUOTE ]
I would start by sourcing the end fittings and then taper the spar to fit.
Sitka Spruce is far lighter than Douglas Fir but watch for tiny checks (cracks) across the grain.
All these projects,you will have one smart vessel !

[/ QUOTE ]

About 20% lighter.....not much really?? Roachy is starting to look very nice though aint she? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Yup - I am really pleased (and exceedingly lucky). Found two classic piston ends so hence the start of this new project on my list! The taper on the fittings I have worked out to be 1 1/2" - 1 2/3".
 
Yeh, thanks Smiffy - Robbins have already banked much of my limited wealth already - their totally horrific prices were mitigated when I discovered that their planing charges are astronomical. If I plane the wood myself - then the costs roughly halve and the time I spend restoring doubles! I wish they would get a cheaper courier company too.

I was purely thinking of Ash as I thought I would get away with a stave or such that are usually made of Ash as Ash does not splinter when it breaks so often used as staves.

I think I will go for Sitka as you suggest now the pole looks like it needs to be done properly (thanks for the spar gauge link BTW).
 
Many thanks - I think I will go for it and post results here. Just goes to show the value of ths forum. I was thinking of inverting the sandpaper belt on an old belt sander and making a sort of home-made spar-rounder - but clearly that would have ended in a wonky disaster!
 
I hope this is not too late, but

I happen to have a 10ft spruce spinnaker pole, sitting in a spar rack in Woodbridge., surplus to requirements. It was acquired as a whisker pole for Mirelle but is too small. I was going to use it as cross trees...
 
Tis a bit of a bu99er I know, but it doesn't matter where you go, or for what, the minute that the words boat /yacht /marine, comes into the equasion..............

Well we all know don't we? /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Just keep plodding on steady like, and one day you will find there is nowt else to do!.........

Naaaaaa, I lied! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Wooden Yacht, nowt to do??? yeah right! You keep going like you are though, and you will have one nice boat, that I am sure will give you immense pleasure and and a tremendous sense of achievement.

Trouble is, (you bu99er!) /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif. looking at Roach, as I often do, is giving me silly ideas, so please remove your website immediately! if not sooner /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Charlie.
 
Re: I hope this is not too late, but

[ QUOTE ]
I happen to have a 10ft spruce spinnaker pole, sitting in a spar rack in Woodbridge., surplus to requirements. It was acquired as a whisker pole for Mirelle but is too small. I was going to use it as cross trees...

[/ QUOTE ]

Go for it Roachy!! that is an offer tooooooo good to miss! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
. I was thinking of inverting the sandpaper belt on an old belt sander and making a sort of home-made spar-rounder -

[/ QUOTE ]

Forget the "old belt sander" It's done Like this.

P6230006a.jpg
 
Re: What a great bit of kit!

It's a good drill!
Drum in covered with some scrap rubber mat
Shaft is fixed to the drum and goes right through.
Bit of tube over the protuding shaft allows you to hold the left hand end... Glove is cos the tube gets a tad hot.
Belt is the longest listed in Screwfix.
Trick is to get the belt moving before appling any tension.. takes a little practice but it's not difficult
 
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