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Mirror Dinghy Restorations
Registrace 10. 08. 2021
Follow along as I restore and do a full re-skin on Mirror #25067 "Little Blue"
Jig stations (and a new workshop)
After several months struggling to find a place to work (the party tent is RIP after a storm, long live the party tent), some friends lent me their garage, and the first step was to get on with building the jig.
The Mirror Class Association jig had to be disposed of a few years ago, but I've designed this one to flat-pack, so I should be able to keep it a while. If anyone in the UK wants a mirror dinghy jig, then get in touch!
[MISSING] Sorry, I couldn't get a good video of the fore and aft hull panels being glued together, but you'll catch that in the still at the end of the video. It wasn't very exciting, you use epoxy to glue them with a buttstrap, well documented in the mirror build instructions.
The Mirror Class Association jig had to be disposed of a few years ago, but I've designed this one to flat-pack, so I should be able to keep it a while. If anyone in the UK wants a mirror dinghy jig, then get in touch!
[MISSING] Sorry, I couldn't get a good video of the fore and aft hull panels being glued together, but you'll catch that in the still at the end of the video. It wasn't very exciting, you use epoxy to glue them with a buttstrap, well documented in the mirror build instructions.
zhlédnutí: 191
Video
Cutting panels - overview, tools, technique and time-lapse
zhlédnutí 233Před rokem
In what turns out to be mostly me evangelising for multitools, here's an overview of cutting panels, using an existing (old) mirror dinghy kit as templates. For the Mirror Dinghy geeks, note the dramatic comparison between the properties of the original plywood they were built from back in the 70s and modern marine ply.
Setting up a jig frame
zhlédnutí 168Před rokem
In this video, I look at building the base for a jig - basically a sturdy frame about 18" off the floor which can be used as the structure on which to build the hull. It's built out of discarded timber (which would have gone in the skip) from some renovations in the house, so it doesn't have to be expensive!
Tear it apart!! Disassembling a mirror dinghy (with timelapse)
zhlédnutí 1,8KPřed rokem
In this video, I go about separating the inner structure from the rotten outer hull. A worrying job! There's a timelapse of the tear-apart, and a summary at the end showing you what I've found.
About Safety - working with heatguns and taking care of yourself
zhlédnutí 94Před rokem
Finally, an explanation for why I'm always wearing the same jersey... and tips for keeping both you and your old wooden boat safe when using a heatgun to strip old epoxy and varnish.
Welcome to the party tent - stripping decks in my temporary workshop
zhlédnutí 154Před rokem
Battling against the rainy summer of 2021, in this video I create a temporary workshop in my back garden, and proceed with stripping the deck panels.
Overhaul: an old Snipe trailer
zhlédnutí 385Před 2 lety
In this video, I get seriously dorky about the benefits of old snipe trailers for carrying lightweight plywood dinghies, and take you through the work and modifications needed to bring an old trailer back to life. Somebody asked me for dimensions of the trailer, so here's a rough drawing: drive.google.com/file/d/1d5oLsnzp2_it_6V4Zwq89rjuNI1kIesO/view?usp=sharing
End of day update: interior fittings stripped
zhlédnutí 82Před 2 lety
A quick end of day update having pulled off all the interior fittings.
Assessment: Decks, bulkheads and trim
zhlédnutí 143Před 2 lety
Let’s see where we are with the inside of the boat and all its fixtures and fittings!
Assessment: the outer hull skin
zhlédnutí 427Před 2 lety
In this video, I assess the overall state of the outer skin of Mirror “Little Blue” and discover… well. A whole lot of rot and bodges.
Why bother?
hello, do you have an e-mail address where I can contact you?
hello, do you have an e-mail address where I can contact you?
Hello - that was a useful vid for me. I just bought an early 70s wooden Mirror. It's in good shape. I have just bought a 2.5hp four stroke Mariner outboard that weighs 18 kg. I bought it because on the Mirror Association website I saw a page with a (very old) picture of a lass with an 18kg motor. But now I have the thing and am feeling its weight I'm apprehensive. I'd use some kind of extra board where the motor will clamp on to spread the load but - what do you think fella? Is the transom on a Mirror strong enough to take 18kg? Thx for replies.
Looks better from above. Do not rely on clear-varnished mahogany bits being OK. My chainplate block on the port side looked beautiful (thanks to epoxy skin) but turned out to be rotten to the core when, on fine day, my mast simply fell overboard in a light breeze. The shroud plate simply pulled out of the soft wood.
I'm looking forward to progress reports! You do have a job facing you. I'll put 25067 on the waiting list for the roll call ( mirrordiscussforum.org/documents/mirror_rollcall.pdf ).
Mine looked kind of the same way. Both transoms and side panels were very bad. The bottom panels and bulkheads were good, the interior decking saved to be used as patterns. But still slowly moving forward.
Maybe build new from scratch
That marquee looks ideal for a workshop! Great space.
Very interesting. We are about to put new decks on a heron over on our channel - have you seen heron hospital?
No, but I’ll make sure to take a look! Are you able to post a link please?!
They’re called Breast Hooks not bow shapes.
Looking forward to following your progress