Circumpolar Circupolar

Starting to Warm Up

2009-02-09T07:01:00.000-08:00

At Last we are getting some warm days. Where the rivers are open the water is high and fast. The lake has a messy, slippery edge.

Daniel in Argentina

2009-02-04T09:51:00.000-08:00

Wow! Wish I was there.

Vale Orosi

2009-01-29T03:23:00.000-08:00

This is where Anne is now.

New 10" Blade

2009-01-26T10:36:00.000-08:00

At last I have the new blade for my circular saw. I froze my fingers putting it in but it fits fine and it cuts 2" ash like a knife through butter! Now if the weather would just get a little warmer...

Deadheads

2009-01-25T10:24:00.000-08:00

With floating ice breaking up on the sandbars there are many small sheets of ice that wash up to the beach. The waves push them down to the bottom then the suction drags them back until their back edges catch the sand then they shoot straight up several feet above the surface. Here are two photographs of them. One indicates a small triangular one right into shore. The other shows the tip of a very large plate that is usually not even visible.

Stray Kitten in the Workshop

2009-01-19T13:09:00.000-08:00

This little stray kitten has been hanging around the workshop eating bread-crumbs left out for the birds. It runs away when I approach it. I Leave it some food and I can tell that it eats it by the footprints. The snow is too deep for it to forage farther than the compost-heap. The snow is so deep that all the animals have bedded down. At 15 degrees below I don't see how it can survive.

More Saw

2009-01-18T15:10:00.000-08:00

To perfect the sawblade slot and to ensure proper guidance of the sawdust to the hopper I have fabricated a rasp from hacksaw blades. Seven blades make a nice fit in the three-eights inch slot. I alternate the kerfs so it will cut on both strokes.
A brass rivet pins the end and the handle is whipped of poly whipping cord. The rasp can now be worked to perfect the slot.

Saw Upgrade

2009-01-18T09:25:00.000-08:00

At last I have time to work on setting-up the Workshop. I have to first convert the saw from a 71/4" blade to a 10" blade. Central Die in Concord have found me a 10" blade for the Richards 3-bolt mandrel. Now I have to lengthen the slot to accommodate the 10" blade. Here are pictures of marking the table 51/4" from the center of the mandrel, making the ends with a drill and cutting both sides of the slot. The Bosch Bi-Metal blades cut the cast-iron top like a knife through butter.

Inductive Reactance

2008-12-18T13:00:00.001-08:00

Work History

2008-12-09T04:13:00.000-08:00

Work experience:
2008
Testforce Inc
Electronic Assembly

2008
Metaris Inc.
Calibrating and Troubleshooting Hydraulic Equipment

2006 to 2008
Proprietor of Frenchman's Bay Kayak Works
Teaching Kayak building, giving presentations
see: http://www.lakekayaknotes.blogspot.com

2005 to 2005
Freelance Electronic Troubleshooter
Celestica, IBM etc.
Refer to: http://www.adecco.ca

2003 to 2004
Ash Temple Ltd.
Field and bench technician - dental equipment

2001 to 2003
K-Dental Ltd.
Bench Technician

1999 to 2001
Bureau of Broadcast Measurement
Contract Field Technician

1997 to 1998
Lawrcon Electric and Machining Corp. Welding Dpt.
Servicing welding equipment, plasma cutters, robotics.

1988 to 1997 Ash Temple Ltd.
Troubleshooting and repair of dental equipment

1986 to 1988
Enercorp Instruments
Troubleshooting Process Control Devices

Anchor Data Systems
Thyristor Devices

Hydroplane

2008-08-16T08:08:00.000-07:00

The Thought du Jour is: Why not stick a hydroplane on my high-speed electric kayak? This would slightly decrease the wetted hull but it would add theoretic stability which is better than nothing. The question is where to put the wing? The math is simple enough as long as you avoid variables like waves, spray, reflected spray, wind, load-shift junk in the water, hull flexing, turning, clapotis and hail. Where to put the wing? Eh?

Hydraulic Formulas

2008-08-04T09:16:00.000-07:00

Hydraulic Pump Formulas

Formula For:

Word Formula:

Letter Formula:

PUMP OUTLET FLOW
in Gallons/Minute

FLOW =	RPM x PUMP DISPLACEMENT(Cu. In./Rev.)

	231

Q =	nd

	231

PUMP INPUT POWER
in Horsepower Required

HORSEPOWER INPUT =	FLOW RATE OUTPUT(GPM) x PRESSURE(PSIG)

	1714 x EFFICIENCY(Overall)

HP =	QP
		or
	1714 Eff

GPM x PSIG

1714 Eff

PUMP EFFICIENCY
OVERALL IN PERCENT

OVERALL EFFICIENCY (%) =	OUTPUT HORSEPOWER
		x 100
	INPUT HORSEPOWER

EffOV. =	HPOUT
		x 100
	HPIN

OVERALL EFFICIENCY (%) =

VOLUMETRIC Eff. x MECHANICAL Eff.

EffOV. =

EffVOL x EffMECH

PUMP EFFICIENCY
VOLUMETRIC IN PERCENT

VOLUMETRIC EFFICIENCY (%) =	ACTUAL FLOW RATE OUTPUT(GPM)
		x 100
	THEORETICAL FLOW RATE OUTPUT(GPM)

EffVOL =	QACT.
		x 100
	QTHEO.

PUMP EFFICIENCY
MECHANICAL IN PERCENT

MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY (%) =	THEORETICAL TORQUE TO DRIVE
		x 100
	ACTUAL TORQUE TO DRIVE

EffMECH =	TTHEO.
		x 100
	TACT.

PUMP DISPLACEMENT
IN CUBIC INCHES/REVOLUTION

DISPLACEMENT =	FLOW RATE(GPM) x 231

	PUMP RPM

CIPR =	GPM x 231

	RPM

PUMP TORQUE
IN INCH POUNDS

TORQUE =	HORSEPOWER x 63025

	RPM

T =	63025 HP

	RPM

PUMP TORQUE
IN INCH POUNDS

TORQUE =	PRESSURE(PSIG) x PUMP DISPLACEMENT(CIPR)

	2 x 3.14

T =	PSIG d

	2 x 3.14

or T =	Pd

	2 x 3.14

PUMP LIFE
B₁₀ BEARING LIFE

B₁₀ HOURS OF BEARING LIFE	=	RATED LIFE HOURS	x	RATED SPEED(RPM)	x	(RATED PRESSURE(PSIG))³

				NEW SPEED(RPM)		(NEW PRESSURE(PSIG))³

B₁₀	=	RATED HRS.	x	RPM_r	x	(P r)³

				RPM_n		(P n)³

Major Carp Die-Offs

2008-07-15T06:24:00.000-07:00

We are experiencing huge die-offs of large carp. These fish are not native to this Hemisphere. They are not good for eating and they are destructive to the natural habitat. They have overpopulated many small lakes and estuaries. Now they are dying of Viral infections and washing ashore by the thousands. Our Governments have cut back our Ministry of Natural Resources to the point where it is incapable of any real action. This is a disgusting situation. It can only get worse.

Fishing Derby

2008-07-06T15:49:00.000-07:00

For those who fish: here is a list of what you might find on the end of your' line, courtesy of the Ministry of Natural Resources (without whom there would be not much to catch).

Friday Night Picknick

2008-07-01T07:13:00.000-07:00

Anyone interested in joining us for a Kayak Picnic on Friday Night: we will be at the beach at the boat launch on the spit at the bottom of WestShore at 7:00. Bring something to eat/drink. All kayakers are welcome. It is a nice way to avoid traffic on Friday Night.

Sailing

2008-06-29T15:12:00.000-07:00

When Ian and I went out the lake was flat, the sky was blue and the wind was a breeze from the South, just enough to sail. The wind moved to the west and picked-up so we were really sailing, trimming the sails as flat as possible. We were getting speed and heel. Then we were really moving and an Anvil-Cloud turned the sky black. We were heeling, dumping wind on the wave-tops feeling the thrill of the G-Force. Then we were knocked on to our beam-ends against a ton of cast iron keel. I was standing on the lee-rail watching the jib hit the water. I put the tiller hard over. We turned down the face of a wave and came-up into the wind. Ian struck the sails.We struggled to keep her in Irons until we could safely reef. Then the wind went North. Typical Lake Ontario.

Canoes

2008-06-28T16:29:00.000-07:00

Two canoes of interest are in the works: One designed and in fabrication by Harold Potts, a Marine Engineer who currently occupies my former shop at Frenchman's Bay Marina, and one being built in the skin-on-frame tradition by my friend James at my shop at 1414 Old Forest Road. They are both using the finest straight grain clear Ash from up north. Harold's design is engineered to the n'th degree of precision and is strong enough to withstand thrusts that would easily kill any occupants. James' canoe will be a traditional Canadian design with light rocker and a moderate sheer. It will be a light-weight two person tripping canoe. Harold's canoe will be an indestructible solo canoe, a masterpiece of innovative skin-on-frame engineering.
I am also rebuilding a Kevlar Prospector. That would be easy but for four Kevlar patches on the keel applied with cheap resin. When I sand the patches the resin melts away leaving tufts of the stronger Kevlar. I have to re-coat with harder resin, sand again with fine paper and repeat.

Toastmasters End of Session

2008-06-22T13:58:00.000-07:00

Some Pics:

I'm Back

2008-06-22T11:27:00.000-07:00

Due to unfortunate financial burdens I have been working my but off at minimum wage for subsistence. Work- Sleep -Work- Sleep... with no time for the fun stuff. Now I have managed to sublet my unwanted studio to the brilliant Marine Engineer Harold Potts my financial burden is manageable.
I've just finished a canoe paddle for Charlie Jaffe. Currently Charlie is engaged in a Top Secret operation for CSIS. He has infiltrated a viciously cruel crime ring. I hate to think what would happen to him if they suspected that he was Rickey the Snake.
The paddle is the most typical of typical Beaver-Tail designs with an extra thick spine extending right to the end of the blade and a Kevlar patch on the end.
The blade is the size of a snow-shovel to harness Charlie's awesome thrust. The shaft is very deep tangentially to the blade at the bottom and shallow and wide at the top. This gives a good grip and spring at the top end with strength at the blade.

Presentation at Lee Valley

2008-04-16T04:36:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed talking with my fellow woodworkers at Lee valley Tools yesterday. I learned a great deal. Please note that I have added a "Fabric" link and a link to the Museum of civilization to this main page for Kayak plans and skin. Particular plans can be ordered through: archives@civilization.ca (com?) The fabric link is to Ivan Canjar who has Nylon as well as Hemp and Cotton.
Last night I gave a 7 minute speech on the evolution of Eskimo kayaks at Central Library. I couldn't for the life of me remember the word "migration" so after an embarrassing pause I went with Diaspora. I guess I was just talked out.
I would like to invite anyone who is interested in skinboat building to visit my shop at 1414 Old Forest Road, Pickering. 905 420 1508

Design Workshop

2008-04-06T09:19:00.000-07:00

I will be conducting a workshop on Eskimo kayak designs and how design features work. There will be comparisons between Aleut, Mackenzie Delta and Labrador hulls. This will be useful for anyone wanting to build their own kayak.
Location: Lee Valley Tools Morningside & Sheppard. April 15th.

KayakUSSR.com

2008-04-04T12:18:00.000-07:00

The You Tube posting of the squirt-kayaking in Siberia shows an interesting twist to the evolution of the Circumpolar Technology. Those Russians are certainly death-defying hot-dogs. They should come and try the Madawaska or the Ottawa and on and on. This site is really worth visiting so I put it in my links.

2008-03-27T18:38:00.000-07:00

Stbility

2008-03-27T17:51:00.000-07:00

Lately The concept of stability between the water and the air have been my escape from reality. Visualizing geometric forms and representative vectors is easy and really quie harmless. The hull I'm envisioning now is like a "V" that widens at the top on the ends and a classic Ojibway tumblehome in the middle.
Wide and flat and low at the stem. as it tips the waterline lengthens on the down side and shortens on the up side. Add to this the balasting effect of the interior foam topsides. Lead beading on the keel and this kayak is not going over. If it does flip it'll take a jack to get it back up. But there is more.

Paul

2008-03-25T04:24:00.000-07:00

Paul Stephens died.
He was ill and Debbie took him to the Hospital. They gave him Oxygen to help him breath and did a blood test. His white-cell count was low. At night he suffocated.
Paul had a wonderful mind. His ability to remember details was legendary. I was particularly attracted to his ability to analise situations from unexpected perspectives. Along with his extraordinary memory Paul had an interest in how people thought. He was like a test for truth.
I believe that the mind is the clothing of the soul. Paul's mind was a wonderful thing. I will miss him. I pity Debby who will miss him in ways that I can't even imagine.
A great, good man is gone.