Rudder pic and special tool

[sailaway78]

Here is a pic of the completed rudder. FINALLY Looks pretty good now. Also a pic of the special tool I made to get the expanded foam out of the holes I cut to pour it in. I wanted to be able to put the plugs back in solid and have them flush. So, here is the tool I made. Be sure to notice the exacting cut of the abrasive surface, made using the latest in hi tech blue handled scissors. Also the abrasive surface was attached to the exclusive zinc plated stem using super glue from my first aid kit. It was relatively expensive. Fortunately the abrasive surface was cut from a worn out sanding disc, saving a few bucks. The super glue was in a 4 for a couple of bucks pack, and of course the big ticket item was the stem. Which cost upwards of 50 cents.

 

[zeehag]

you da bomb--now she looks better than she did before--kinda burly...is good-looks sturdy and awesome--ready for our next adventure in gulf coast cruising......LOL.....awesome tool!!

 

[Ross]

The rudder looks just like its supposed to. Probably ought to copyright that tool design and sell the plans. Nice work.

 

[kloudie1]

Looking fine, Phil !

 

[Chuck Creel]

Excuse me sir, would those be the high tech manually operated precision cutting tool with adustable cutting length. ?

 

[sailaway78]

Exactly

Thats exactly what they are Chuck. The cutting edge of technology. And I even have the blue handled ones. But I think after a lot of glass, and that sanding disc, they are pretty well done for.

 

[Ross]

Thats exactly what they are Chuck. The cutting edge of technology. And I even have the blue handled ones. But I think after a lot of glass, and that sanding disc, they are pretty well done for.

If you own a belt sander then a 120 grit belt and a steady hand will make them like new.

 

[zeehag]

i can vouch--i used them in the galley for a bit...very high precision cutting tool.LOL
and they cut the edge of all technologies--sometimes to ribbons..

 

[higgs]

I may be confusing this with another post, but weren't you going to replace your rudder with a new one? I think your work looks great.

 

[sailaway78]

Higgs

I think your thinking of another post, where someone broke the rudder and ins. replaced it. Since I am self insured, and the price for new rudder was 2200, and still almost the same amount of work, I just repaired this one. It is probably stronger now than the origional, and I now know every square inch of the stern end of the boat. I also found a couple of other items to be addressed that I would not have found if a new rudder had been purchased.