I have been gathering info, parts and supplies for my Composite Skins. My molds are now in hand, but my BC weather is just a bit too unstable yet to dive in to this part of the project. I have built a simple practice frame out of standard grade 1/2” plywood, but have chosen to attempt a more minimalistic frame more suited to my new skins. I have some ideas, but will wait until I have a set of skins made before proceeding. In the mean time, I decided to tackle the Legs. It is a bit unconventional I think to start here, but hey… I’m going my own way…
I have read extensively about the ways others have built wood legs. Victor Franco and Mike Senna deserve mentions here for sure, as well as anyone else who has taken the time to document their process. I will be making an acrylic template, cutting Baltic Birch to rough shapes and sizes, finishing on my router table and gluing.
In the end, my legs (well, 6-t3x’s legs) will primarily be laminated plywood with plastic or resin details. I’ll be using Baltic Birtch plywood, which is a (expensive) special order here in BC. This plywood is well known for its strength and its surface finish. It also has nearly no voids in its layers. These qualities make it ideal for this use and if I glue and clamp properly the result will be very strong, straight and easy(ish) to finish. I hope…