New tiller restoration and compass fitting
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2014 7:04 pm
I created a new tiller and bulkhead adaptor for the compass. The tiller is made up from pieces of 3/16 laminated ash, glued in a clamping/forming fixture. There is a 4" rise over 42" length. It is tapered 1/2 inch from tiller to tip and rounded at each corner 1/2" too. It is sealed with Epiphans
The original fitting broke in the middle, but was repaired by running #8 x 2" long flathead stainless screws from each side. The aluminum parts were soda-blasted to remove all the scum without taking off the anodized finish. I used longer bolts so the threads did not bear on the housing, rounded the heads and polished them on a wheel. I also put some copper shim stock in between so the parts did not gawl when tipping the tiller.
The housing is mohagany. I cut 8 mitered sections, turned it on a lathe, drilled the mounting holes, created a fixture to cut the back sweep on a band saw and ground relief using a rotozip with a wood burr. It is also finished in Epiphans.
The picture images are posted below.
The original fitting broke in the middle, but was repaired by running #8 x 2" long flathead stainless screws from each side. The aluminum parts were soda-blasted to remove all the scum without taking off the anodized finish. I used longer bolts so the threads did not bear on the housing, rounded the heads and polished them on a wheel. I also put some copper shim stock in between so the parts did not gawl when tipping the tiller.
The housing is mohagany. I cut 8 mitered sections, turned it on a lathe, drilled the mounting holes, created a fixture to cut the back sweep on a band saw and ground relief using a rotozip with a wood burr. It is also finished in Epiphans.
The picture images are posted below.