The waterbox joint is a self caulking joint that relies on the presence of water to swell the grain of a plank of wood to seal two planks together. This pictures shows a standard caulking wheel (much like a wheel used to insert screen into a screen door,) which will later be used to press spun cotton into the joints between the bottom planks of our boat.
In addition to cotton caulking, we plan to use the waterbox joint as well. We retrofited the standard caulking tool with Billy Bob's "get-r-dun" guide, (the piece of bronze bar attached haphazardly to the side.) The guide helps position a 1/16" x 1/16" groove in the edge of the planks. After the groove is made, compressing the wood grain, the edge of the board is planed off. The compressed grain remains, and upon saturation, expands. It makes a continuous 1/16" bead, in theory. I hope those Japanese Joiners are right, because I'm in charge of the bottom of our boat not leaking like flour sifter. We are not using any "schmooey" between our planks, so its a handful of crochety Japanese dudes between me and the bottom.
Here is a close up of the guide. A bolt and some washers.
Diagram of Joint.
- Roll in groove with tool and then plane 1/16".
- Add water.
- Bead allegedly rises. Pray or swim as required.
Plank in vise ready for groove.
Get-r-dun guide in action!
Beautiful, wonderful smelling Western red Cedar bottom planks.
Tomorrow we will assemble the bottom. I hope all the Japanese Joiners stay home.
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