How do you make a buck?

[bcarlson]

Hi Wray,

thanks for the pointers, I was thinking about just building the whole thing from foam, but decided to go this route. Now, as to your suggestion, it totally makes sense. I am going to try to get the front wooden pieces in place, but then I'll try to get some foam. Can you describe this blue foam a little better? Is it the nice non-flaky foam, or just the foam insulation stuff? Thanks!

Ben

[Wray Schelin]

Hi Ben,


Ben wrote:

Can you describe this blue foam a little better?

I buy the blue insulation stuff that they sell in all lumber supply stores. I buy the 2' x 8'x 1.5" sheets. It works great with bondo and is easy to shape and cut. I glue it together with 5 minute epoxy.

Wray

[Kerry Pinkerton]

Wray, it sounds like you are talking about "R-Max" sheathing and it's clones. Tight foam structure. Comes with a thin layer of plastic film on it and is used as wall sheathing under brick and siding. In the non-frozen parts of the world they only stock it in 3/4 and 1" thicknesses. Sometimes it's not blue. My son works for 84 Lumber and they sell a version that is pink.

[Wray Schelin]

Hi Kerry,

Nope, this stuff has no plastic film . It does have a tongue and groove
on each end molded in for a tight seal.

I never thought that it might be a Northern climes only product. It also works well for cooling insulation so it must be available countywide. There is a pink version too, I'm not sure if the pink stuff works as easy as the blue. The Blue I know works so I use it.

Wray

[bcarlson]

Ok, I think I know what you're talking about Wray, it's the stuff that doesn't flake off very easily, right? It's really dense (even more so than me!) and is almost like cheese when you cut it?

I have a friend who runs a local lumberyard, and I live in the 'colder' climate of Minnesota (-29 degrees last week, not including wind chill!!! YUK!)... I'm sure I can come up with something...

Ben

I am sure it is the same out here as there........ The blue foam board in high density is 1 1/2" and the pink is 2". It is color coded so that the inspectors know the thickness by color and don't have to measure. I use the pink board for ground insulation under slabs with in floor heating.

Scott

[bcarlson]

Hi guys,

I borrowed one of Richard K's pullmax-type machines (VERY cool), and was working on my tank last nite. On monday I had worked on my buck a bit, but still haven't filled in the spaces between the boards.

Anyhow, almost immediately I realized exactly what you are talking about Wray, I NEED MORE INFORMATION from my buck!!! :shock: I knew you were right, but I was trying to just continue until I get up town and get some of that insulation.

Anyhow, I managed to really mess up the one side, and had to pound it out a bit, but I'm starting to learn what this little machine can do.

Michelle has to work on Sunday, so I'm going to spend the day working on the tank, and probably Saturday morning finishing the buck.

Oh, on another note, Richard K made a mention of the flexible tape patterns, and I also realized just how important those are!! I'm pretty excited, because I think I have the tools, and am recognizing what is happening when I pound or shrink now!

Thanks for the information, I'll keep you posted.

Ben

[ralph]

Ben,

The great awakening

It feels good when the lights start going on doesn't it. There is nothing that teaches metalshaping faster than going in the garage and making something. You start identifying what info you don't have and something you read earlier but glossed over starts making sense.

The muscles between the ears are as important as the muscles in the arms in this skill.

Keep up the progress

[bcarlson]

Ok, I have some pink insulation (found it lying around the house!), but then I was talking to a couple buddies and they suggested Great Stuff (foam insulation in a can). I thought this would work out great, and be a good time saver, we'll see. I hosed down the buck this morning, and it's expanded and is hardening as we speak! It looks like it'll do the trick. I'll post photos tomorrow assuming it works.

Ben

[Wray Schelin]

Hi Ben,

Foam in a can will work but it is not a good way to do it ( been there done that ) . The quallity of the foam is just not up to what you need. The blue flat insulation stuff works great.

Wray