Tiller

[JohnP]

I've cut out all of my C-12. I'll build over the winter. Hope to get it together on horses before I need the heater in the garage. Now that the pieces are on the floor I see how beamy it is. Just what I wanted. Years ago a friend built a Bloger something and laminated up a lovely tiller. Alternated woods like an old tennis recket. What woods would be suitable?
I know you wouldn't alternate oak with pine given their difference in hardness. When the fillting starts to drive me nuts I'd like something to work on besides finishing that duck.

[Rick]

Just what I wanted. Years ago a friend built a Bolger something and laminated up a lovely tiller. Alternated woods like an old tennis racket. What woods would be suitable?

You want to avoid oak, especially white oak, which has a reputation for being incompatible with epoxy.

Since the tiller is not immersed, and you will probably store it indoors, I'd go crazy. Go to your local hardwood supplier and ask them to show you some exotic short pieces. Zebrawood, purpleheart, cocobolo, padauk -- any of these would make fine wood for a tiller. Alternating light and dark woods look nice -- walnut and maple make a nice combination, as does cherry and maple.

[PJPiercey]

Ash for the light wood and mahogany for the dark is pretty common for tillers. On my V12 I just laminated four layers of 1/4" merranti ply bent to shape and then cut the tiller from that. On the CK17 I used layers of douglas fir and mahogany because that is what I had in the left over pile.

Paul Piercey