Scrap Fittings

At many levels of boatwork - from building to repairing - useless scraps of timber become part of the debris. And because they are often of the best teak, red cedar or mahogany, it is close to sacrilege just to toss them out or burn them on the barbie. For this reason, most of us hold onto them for months and even years, delaying the day when they must be dumped. But must they really be dumped?

Maybe, maybe not. It all depends on the size of the scrap and your own imagination. By prowling around your boat, both on deck and down below, you will be surprised at its potential for enhancement with small timber fittings of a very practical nature. The following instructions offer a few tips and ideas.

Clothes Hooks
Whether a single or multi type, these can be cut from stock of around 20-30mm. The bottom of the actual hook is cut with a hole saw and the rest is done with a jig or band saw. The rounding of the edges is accomplished using a router.

Depending on circumstances, the finished hook can simply be glued to its vertical surface (typically a bulkhead) or countersunk screws can be used, which are then plugged.

Wherever plugs are used to cover fastenings, a plug cutter is necessary - unless teak is being used, in which case ready-cut plugs of varying diameters are available from most chandleries.

Anti Stubbers
The more common accidents aboard a small ship are those of stubbing toes on a great variety of deck fittings - cleats in particular.

By mounting a smooth, rounded piece of timber at one or both ends of the offending cleat, toes are deflected while the cleat remains free to do its job properly.

If you are reluctant to add this painkiller on the basis of not wanting to penetrate the deck with fasteners, don't worry. Fittings of this nature are not load carrying and can be mounted on a bed of polyurethane adhesive/sealant.

Squeeze-out is coved into the deck to give a neat finish. This is a strong, non-fastening method of attaching such fittings on any type of deck.

Solar-Panel Mounts
These are very small corner fittings that can be fabricated from those pieces of scrap being considered for kindling.

As shown, they comprise one triangular and two oblong pieces butt-glued (with epoxy) and then shaped with a sander and router. With one at each corner, the solar panel cannot move, yet is easily lifted for cleaning or replacement.

These fittings do not need through-fastening under most normal circumstances. However a self-tapper driven into each corner of the solar panel will prevent it being thrown overboard by wind, waves or violent motion.

The corner pieces should elevate the panel at least 20-25mm above the deck or cabin top to prevent overheating of the substrata.

Cable Covers
In any electrical application where cables or their protective conduit cannot be hidden from view (such as a light on an unlined bulkhead), a common ploy is to use commercial plastic products.

A classier finish will be achieved by using timber instead. Long timber scraps with a channel routed along their lengths and then sanded and varnished look good.

Attachment poses a problem or two, but the simple solution is to spot-glue it with tiny dabs of sealant. Make sure there is no external squeeze-out, and hold it in place until curing is complete.

Masking tape is useful as a temporary restrainer. Alternatively, one wall of the two-sided 'U' can be thick enough to accept small screws or panel pins.

Ruler Racks
Easily cut from scrap stock of about 20-30mm thick, these racks provides a permanent solution for one or more rulers. The navigator's parallel rule is prevented from sliding out by its studs holding the connecting arms.

Construction is simple - and again, it doesn't necessarily have to be through-fastened.

Glass Holders
Most galleys have a favourite glass - the type that is so much in demand that it rarely finds a home.

This scrap rack does the job of stowing it properly, yet keeps it accessible at all times. It is cut with a hole saw and jig saw, and its edges are rounded with a router. If it can be tapered in profile view, it gains a more delicate, professional look. It can be glued direct to its bulkhead or fastened mechanically.

Night Light
This hand-carved wooden shell can be used to cover a flush-fitted light whose purpose is to provide vision without ruining night vision at sea. The shell is varnished so it absorbs, rather than reflects, light, giving a warm glow and safety near such hazard areas as companionways and waterways.

Anchor Guards
By strip-planking numerous 'useless' lengths of scrap timber, an anchor chafe guard can be custom made to fit around the bow of certain types of vessels.

The scraps are shaped and epoxy glued together, and the final assembly is sanded and treated then attached to the hull using a good sealant/adhesive. If a steel hull is involved, make sure there are no voids in the sealant between the hull and the guard.

The list of fittings that can be made from good-quality timber scraps can go on ad infinitum. Every boat inspires different creations, and every owner will have his or her special need. Moreover, the size and exact type of scraps will, in themselves, promote creative ideas that will enrich and enhance onboard functions.