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The Building Form The building form is a 18 foot by 4 foot platform constructed of 2x4’s on edge decked with 4 x 8 sheets 5/8 plywood. Start by cutting 21 2x4’s 45 inches long. The sides of the building form are two 2x4’s 18 feet long. Starting at one end of the form with 3 inch deck screws secure the 45 inch pieces to the 18 foot piece every 16 inches on center, with the exception of the 2x4’s that would be located at the eight foot and ten foot marks. Here we want to secure two 45 inch long 2x4’s together and then place the resulting seam at the eight and ten foot marks. This will allow for the deck to be secured onto a full edge of a 2x4. It will also strengthen a seam area of the building form. Care should taken to maintain that all the 45 inch long 2x4’s are square and 90 degrees to the 18 foot long side 2x4’s. Place a sheet of 5/8th plywood onto the frame box that was constructed with the 2x4’s. Make sure that one of the eight foot edges of the plywood is in line with the 18 foot long sides of the box. Secure this panel down with 3 inch deck screws. After the first sheet of plywood is secured to the frame secure the next piece of plywood which will be 2 foot wide by 4 foot long. The 2 foot side will line up with the eight foot edge of the previous plywood sheet. Again secure with 3 inch deck screws. Finish the deck by placing the remaining 4 x 8 plywood sheet and make sure the eight foot edge lines up with the two previous edges and secure with 3 inch deck screws. Although it is not necessary, it is recommended to paint the deck surface with an off white colored paint. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly before laying out the hull pattern on the building form. Along one of the 18 foot edges strike a chalk line running parallel to the edge about 2 inches in from the edge. This line will serve as the datum line for the rocker. After the line is struck, cover the line with a coat of spray varnish or similar product and allow to dry before proceeding. This will insure the chalk line does not rub off as the lay-out proceeds.
© Fireball International, 2003
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