New hatches for Oh Joy

[CharlieCobra]

I started working on the hatches for Oh Joy. I picked up a 9'X14"X1-1/4" board of Honduran Mahogany, pricey stuff. This is the forward hatch I'm working on. The hatch a PO had built wasn't built of mahogany and was 5/8" thick as well as the frame not being jointed, just butt glued so it broke one day when I sat my 225 #'s on it to work on something.

This is the frame (I haven't cut the bottom curve of the athwartships frames yet) after roughing it in.

Joint

Another view

Partial mock up

I'm quickly relearning forgotten tricks learned long ago as a cabinetmaker and was surprised at what skills I actually retained. It's been a loooong time.

 

[CharlieCobra]

yes, I'm gonna bevel those top slat joints and use glue and biscuit joins. I'm going to glue and screw with silicon bronze from the bottom on the frame joins and I'll run countersunk bronze screws with bungs over top through the top slats to the frames including a line down the side frames in the outer slats.

 

[Bad Obsession]

Who are you calling bung hole? LOL

Charlie, I bet that when you are done that hatch is going to look amazing. Be sure to keep us updated on progress!

 

[CharlieCobra]

I'll post again with the finished product.

 

[Royal Flush]

Beautiful!!! Keep us posted

 

[Ross]

It is looking great! Are you allowing for expansion when the wood gets damp?

 

[CharlieCobra]

Well, the choice is, leave room for expansion and allow water in or seal the crap outta it to prevent absorption, which requires it to be TIGHT! I'm thinking the later. If I don't keep up on the varnish though.....

 

[Ross]

Charlie, Tight looks a whole bunch better. Lay on a very thin piece of fiberglass and some epoxy resin and protect the epoxy with varnish.