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Hemingway's Pilar kit

Here you can see the bow, I’ve been trying to straighten it put it continues to go back to bowed overnight.

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Be careful, it can snap….but you could try this….mine had a bigger bow than what’s in your photo…maybe yours started like mine?

  1. Heat water to about 140–150°F (60–65°C)—not boiling.
  2. Immerse the bowed section for 30–60 seconds.
  3. Gently straighten it against a flat ruler or between two straight pieces of wood.
  4. Hold or lightly clamp it straight, then cool it completely in cold water.
  5. Repeat rather than forcing it all at once.

Slightly over-correct for spring-back, but be careful—the thin mast could snap. I would avoid a heat gun because it heats unevenly and can quickly ruin the mast.
 
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This was from one immersion. I put my mast in water, into the microwave for 90 seconds (tall water glass, filled). This was from one cycle. I put it between some extra pieces of wood from another kit i had used already when I pulled it out. Pinched the wood with the mast in between the wood in my fingers, put under cold water, say 10-15 seconds. Repeat as necessary. (My water wasn’t boiling, but it was definitely very hot, perhaps 160-170, be careful to not get burned)

BEFORE
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AFTER
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This was from one immersion. I put my mast in water, into the microwave for 90 seconds (tall water glass, filled). This was from one cycle. I put it between some extra pieces of wood from another kit i had used already when I pulled it out. Pinched the wood with the mast in between the wood in my fingers, put under cold water, say 10-15 seconds. Repeat as necessary. (My water wasn’t boiling, but it was definitely very hot, perhaps 160-170, be careful to not get burned)

BEFORE
View attachment 635986


AFTER
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Thanks Herb, doing it now ;)
 
Finished the Pilar radio. I tried to copy the original pictured. I’m not sure where to place it yet. I hate to put it on the dash shelf, it blocks the view. I placed it in the corner for now.

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This was from one immersion. I put my mast in water, into the microwave for 90 seconds (tall water glass, filled). This was from one cycle. I put it between some extra pieces of wood from another kit i had used already when I pulled it out. Pinched the wood with the mast in between the wood in my fingers, put under cold water, say 10-15 seconds. Repeat as necessary. (My water wasn’t boiling, but it was definitely very hot, perhaps 160-170, be careful to not get burned)

BEFORE
View attachment 635986


AFTER
View attachment 635987

Herb I think that worked very well.... Thumbsup
Ill leave it one wood a few days.

mast.jpeg
 
The wife and I took a few days off went up to Beaufort NC, a few hours away from my house and went through the maritime museum again I love looking at the models and the artifacts from Blackbeard’s Queen Anne’s Revenge. Then on to the Outer Banks.
I’ll be back at the Pilar, I’ve been working on the fighting chair pictures on progress soon.
 
The wife and I took a few days off went up to Beaufort NC, a few hours away from my house and went through the maritime museum again I love looking at the models and the artifacts from Blackbeard’s Queen Anne’s Revenge. Then on to the Outer Banks.
I’ll be back at the Pilar, I’ve been working on the fighting chair pictures on progress soon.
Enjoy your vacation time!
 
I finally finished the chair,
first I built the resin printed chair I thought it looked ok but I wanted to try my own so I built another from scratch to see if I could improve the look. I don’t think mine is better just a little different. I decide later which one I’ll use. :)

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Beautiful work Grex! You really have great skill making that chair! Btw Beaufort, Morehead City and the Outer Banks are wonderful. Great fishing too!
 
The wife and I took a few days off went up to Beaufort NC, a few hours away from my house and went through the maritime museum again I love looking at the models and the artifacts from Blackbeard’s Queen Anne’s Revenge. Then on to the Outer Banks.
I’ll be back at the Pilar, I’ve been working on the fighting chair pictures on progress soon.
I used to vacation in the Outer Banks for 2 weeks…very relaxing and needed from the grind!
I finally finished the chair,
first I built the resin printed chair I thought it looked ok but I wanted to try my own so I built another from scratch to see if I could improve the look. I don’t think mine is better just a little different. I decide later which one I’ll use. :)

View attachment 638213

View attachment 638214

View attachment 638216
I think the chair looks great! He had a very simple chair. Pilar carried one of the pioneering fighting chairs of the 1930s—an early swivel chair designed specifically for battling giant tuna and marlin. At the time it didnt get any better!
 
Another heads up cuz I made this mistake, the roof cross supports should be painted white before you install them. That way you can paint and buff them nice and smooth before installing. I had to paint with a brush and they’re a little rough looking.

IMG_1633.jpeg
 
Another heads up cuz I made this mistake, the roof cross supports should be painted white before you install them.
Thanks for that tip, Grex! It all looks very nice. Love how your fighting chair came out! Nice to see that the kit's chair comes together well, but your chair definitely has character! I'd imagine that, after all that work, you are keeping your chair build for the boat?
 
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