got some tools I can borrow?

[Drew W.]

Hey folks, I finally found a boat (kingpin 6.3) and I'm going to richmond on tuesday to pick it up, trouble is it's still a K-1 so I'll need to convert it. I plan on starting with an all-foam setup since dagger stopped making their pedestal (and liquidlogic stopped development on theirs btw.) Does anyone within driving distance of Odenton have any tools I can borrow to shape the minicel? I don't need 'em right away, I still have to order the foam and things (new credit card is on it's way). I just don't want to waste any time when the outfitting materials get here because until I get the new boat put together, I've got nuthin' to paddle Thanks

also, how much foam and glue should I get?

[Sir Adam]

Minicell is ridiculously easy to cut. Hack saws, carpenters saws, wall board saws all do a good job of rough-cutting. To make a nice shape, however, a band saw does a great job, or just finish off your hack sawed (etc...) minicell with dragon skin or a rasp-type tool (kayakoutfitting has a few nice ones).

As for how much foam, it depends on how high you want your seat, etc....

You may also want to look into the TEAM etc outfitting-I think their plastic conversion is much stronger / more durable than foam.

[Judd]

I've even seen people cut minicell with a kayak paddle blade!

[Drew W.]

so you think a ginsu knife would work for cutting it? It's the only large blade I have
and so far as how high I want the seat, I'm thinking 6" or 7", so I'd need foam to make the seat, some ankle blocks and the knee cups

[Bernie]

A sure form tool is great for the final shape. It is a rasplike tool that can be purchased at any hardware store for approx. $7.00 U.S..
With the price of minicell, I measure 3-4 times and shape once.
I always shape the final pieces large, paddle a few times, and then complete the final shapes. I also carry my sure form tool with me in the boat for on river modifications.
Good luck!

[Timzjatl]

so you think a ginsu knife would work for cutting it? It's the only large blade I have
and so far as how high I want the seat, I'm thinking 6" or 7", so I'd need foam to make the seat, some ankle blocks and the knee cups

actually, the ginsu 2000 slices, dices, and makes ankle blocks 3 different ways...

Seriosuly though, I use my ginsu for foam and it works great. Then just do some shaping with dragon skin or rough sandpaper.
Good Luck Drew!

[Space Canoe]

Do they still have the TV ads for those things? Aren't they the one that talk about the knife for a while and then say "BUT WAIT!!!" about 5 times? As in: "BUT WAIT!!! Not only do you get the 37 blades, but if you buy now, we'll include these 7 handy knife sharpeners. BUT WAIT!!! Not only do you get the 7 handy knife sharpeners.............

RT

[Timzjatl]

Do they still have the TV ads for those things? Aren't they the one that talk about the knife for a while and then say "BUT WAIT!!!" about 5 times? As in: "BUT WAIT!!! Not only do you get the 37 blades, but if you buy now, we'll include these 7 handy knife sharpeners. BUT WAIT!!! Not only do you get the 7 handy knife sharpeners.............

RT

I actually bought mine at an "infomercial" type setting at a Wal-mart... the guy was like... you get not one, but two Ginsu 2000s, plus the paring knife, and the orange juicer....

[ezwater]

If you don't have a bandsaw, you can get very clean cuts using a long blade on a jigsaw. Just take it slow and keep the sole plate of the jigsaw flat on the minicell. I used my jigsaw when cutting walls for my old Noah, and the results were great.... nice, square edges, roughened just enough to take the glue.

[Guest]

well, unfortunately my status as a college student who moves every 5 or 6 months doesn't allow me to carry much along the lines of tools, I think I'll stick with the ginsu knife and large-grain sandpaper for now (also I have no money because I just bought the boat )