Setting Up Your Flat Table

Why you Need a Flat Table

Although you might be tempted to lay some plastic on the floor – a flat working surface is a helpful tool to build your boat well. As you laminate the panels you will lock them into shape—thus if your worksurface is warped and untrue, then your boat panels will take on that same shape. By insuring the panels are assembled flat to begin with, you will be saving a lot of grief and time at later steps in your build. It also helps when assembling the boat, to keep the boat twist free and the rocker as designed.

A quick way to build a Flat Table

It is very easy to set up a nice laminating table with some simple materials you can get at your local home store. Lay (3) flat 2×4’s over 3 saw horses and then lay two sheets of ¾” Melamine faced particle board end to end over that (you can also use 3/4” MDF but will need to apply more wax to assure the panels do not stick to the table). If you only have room for a 2’ wide table, then cut one sheet in half and use that. The seam you want to pay extra attention to- screw but blocks under the seam to flatten out the joint. Once you are satisfied with the table surface, then run a strip of clear packing tape along the seam. Use a level and shims to fine-tune it to be as flat as reasonable. The final step is to apply a couple of coats of mold-release wax and my preference is Partall #2 Green Wax. Alternatively, you can use automotive paste wax that is Carnauba Wax based.