Keel building U.K. ?

[jimschofield]

Hi 580 folk,

I have ordered the cnc kit from Fyneboats and the stainless steel kit from Don, but just in case anyone in the U.K. is thinking about the keel, is there a possibility of getting a few built by a pro ?

So far, there are four builders in the U.K. and I'm in Ireland, so if anyone knows a possible keel builder, we could do a five order special. I can drive over for pick up to avoid heavy carriage for heavy lead.

Any and all thoughts welcome.

Jim

[abel]

Hi Jim,

I guess I'm one of the 4 and I think this is a good idea. How about the pulpit/pushpit and bowsprit support too?

[peterbrumby]

Hi

It would be great to collaborate on this. Tbh I haven’t even started thinking about it.

Peter

[jimschofield]

OK, that sounds like a plan. I'm just trying to get my ducks in a row and avoid any possible pitfalls.

Jim

[pete]

Hi - i'm uk based too and interested in joining this bulk purchase - I'm in the Sheffield area (well known for its fabulous coastline and sailing potential...), so was thinking of finding a local supplier - there are still some good fabrication companies here. Once the CAD file for the keel profile is available I'll send it out to a few companies and get some prices. I guess if possible (and reasonable cost) we might want the fabricated parts to be galvanised as well - the fabrication companies may also be able to help with suppliers they use regularly.


For the keel bulb, I got a price from a company in Stoke who could sell the lead (125kgs) for £3.18/kg - if we have a mold (was thinking of casting a concrete mold from a 3d printed former) then he could also pour the halves for a fee. Suggest we wait on this until Don has Trekka in the water though as the exact mass may change and this isn't a huge job to complete closer to when the boats are going to be launched.

[jimschofield]

Hi Pete,

Waiting to see Trekka's keel makes sense, I haven't even begun building yet !

Jim

[Joe - Sail No 46]

Hi Guys

Collaboration on keel and pushpit etc sounds good for me. Just got the CNC kit and hoping to start the build in a couple weeks.

Based in Poole, Dorset, so we are spread across the UK !!

cheers

Joe

[peterbrumby]

Sept 6, 2020 17:01:22 GMT Joe - Sail No 46 said:

Hi Guys

Collaboration on keel and pushpit etc sounds good for me. Just got the CNC kit and hoping to start the build in a couple weeks.

Based in Poole, Dorset, so we are spread across the UK !!

cheers

Joe

Hi

Congrats on the kit. Look forward to following your build. 

I have put a number of things into the “solve over the winter” box Atm. Partly to see how Trekka comes on as Jim suggests, and partly to see what “deals” come forward from Don so that I can see what’s left to be solved locally. Oh and getting on with all the base build bits is taking up most my head space as it is!

Enjoy.

Peter

[pete]

Hi all,
I've pinged out the drawings and specs for the keel to 4 companies here and got a couple of quotes back just now.
These quotes are for material supply (S275JR - bog standard mild steel) for the top plate (8mm) and keel profile (15mm).
The quotes do not include welding as I intend to make a template of the rocker of the hull where the top plate attaches and then ensure that the fabricaton company verify that the top plate matches this rocker when they weld it up. I expect welding to be in the region of £75-100 +VAT from a local company here (not got quotes, that is just a guess)- with delivery and collection by me in a mate's van.
Company in Chesterfield - £338 delivered, but ex VAT so £406 all in. (includes £30 for delivery locally)
Company in Sheffield - £150 ex works ex VAT so £180 but would need collecting which is fine for me. I'm sure they can also do delivery.

The other two quotes still outstanding are to companies that may also be able to provide profile grinding services to do the leading and trailing edges of the fin and the chamfer to the top plate. I reckon its possible to do a fairly good job of both with an angle grinder and an afternoon (or maybe more - there is a lot of material to remove!), but wanted to see how much a professional finish will cost as well, So i'll wait for these quotes to come back and report in.

Message me direct if you want a copy of the quotes and company names etc. Once we get the remaining quotes in I'd be pretty keen to make a decision and place an order soon - if others want to join in let me know.

[peterbrumby]

Pete

That’s good info and really helpful.

Yes would be interested in joining in. My preference would where possible to have it fully finished professionally, just know then that it’s right and done.

Thanks for doing this and sharing.

Peter