Absolutely not and I sure hope that I didn’t imply any reason to. All of Bob’s work I’ve seen looks great.
Raymond has been a good friend for a long time. We’ve worked together for years on many projects and I trust him like I trust me to make it right. No shades of gray with us. It’s either perfect or it’s not. Cut it out and build it again. Sand it down and paint it again. 3 times, 5 times. 10 times. Whatever it takes. It’s either right in every respect, or it ain’t.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
As I said, “Just kidding!”. Definitely not apologizing for anything.
Like Larry, Raymond, and I’m sure, several others, we take a lot of pride in what we do.
I think one of the best things is to see & hear the reactions of customers when they see the finished project. I get a warm, fuzzy feeling inside.[:I]
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069
Yep. Good craftsmen try to satisfy the customer. The best ones won’t quit until they satisfy themselves.
quote:Hey Larry, I was thinking those welds were Tig....don't see any beads tho.... Edit; I do see some beads but does he buff them out some??
I really don’t know exactly Glenn, welding is not my thing. He’s got about 6 different welding machines,tigs, migs, gas, sticks… they probably cost more than my house. It think it is tig, not sure, I’ll ask.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Great looking weld, I’ve welded all my life but not even close to those beads!!! Purdy welding takes good equipment and knowledge but most important IMHO, is someone with;;;THE TOUCH and it sure looks like Raymonds’ got it…
Would you believe he quit law school to teach himself how to do this? I think he found his calling and I can’t even picture him behind a desk wearing a tie.
The man has skills. He could have been a nuclear pipe welder. Those fellows were the Delta Force of welders. Stainless steel nuclear grade piping, 14" diameter, and often had to do it all with a mirror because they couldn’t see the bead. Amazing!
I’ve had to use a mirror a few times over the years and talk about tough! Everything is backwards & upside down. It takes a minute to get your brain working in reverse. You got to give credit to the guys (& gals) who do it. And all of their welds are X-Rayed! One little bad spot & the whole weld has to be ground out & re-welded.
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069
Raymond will be finished this weekend. Rogerdog is coming down Tuesday and we will fit the final leaning post position and foot rest height to him, then test run it in the river and decide the throttle stop location, a key locked speed limiter for kids and drunks
quote:... then test run it in the river and decide the throttle stop location, a key locked speed limiter for kids and drunks :D
Got this finished up too. We first made a series if test blocks out of short pieces of 2X4s cut at 1/4" increments. Then test ran it and all 3 of us agreed on the desired throttle stop height. We limited it to 3800 rpm and 30 mph.
Using our bingo block as a guide, Raymond milled and drilled a piece of black delrin of the same height…
Then we used a stainless trailer lock with stepped locking positions and recessed it flush into the delrin block…
Installed it looks like this…
Locks like this from the under side…
In use…
No kid is going to get this off without cutting it. My conscience is now clear
I think it is, but I never say never. Getting old and tired. Building a boat like this from scratch, by myself, takes over a year. I’ve developed an severe epoxy allergy from 30 years of exposure, as well as the Doc tells me that I’ve breathed enough solvents, paints, chemicals, fiberglass and wood dust in my life to kill most people younger than me, and I really should quit if I want to see 70. So yeah, it’s probably so. But I’m still going to do some small and select projects as long as I can. Quiting ain’t in me, but reality is catching up. We’ll see.
quote:I want that t-top on my boat. now! :)
Can’t have it. It’s hidden deep in the Savannah River swamps, under lock and key, and protected by Ruger, S&W, Remington, Winchester and Springfield Armory
quote:Beautiful rig altogether!
Thank you very much. It’s built entirely to my client’s specifications and desires. No factory, no hired help, just me and a stack of mahogany, cypress and ipe.
Man, Larry I knew when I saw that boat last year that it was going to be a work of art but, it far exceeded anything I could have imagined. Having seen it up close, I know than no pictures really do it justice. You created a beautiful boat and should be very proud. Sad to think that was your last boat but I certainly get your reasoning. I am sure the lovely Mrs. Cracker would like to have you around a little longer. The throttle limiter looks like it worked out great.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
