On Tue, 05 Apr 2005 07:55:34 -0700, Grant Erwin
wrote:

Robert Swinney wrote:

Why bother? Ships haven't used riveted construction, needing upset
caulking, for many years. Old boilers, maybe.

Bob Swinney
"Bugs" wrote in message
oups.com...

Get some leaf springs from a wrecking yard. They will last forever with
a good hardening & tempering, I have rock chisels I made forty years
ago still in excellent condition. Oil harden & draw to light blue
spring temper. Any harder & the striking face could chip.
Bugs

Up here in Puget Sound there are still many many wooden fishing boats
which have to be brought into drydock periodically, scraped down, re-caulked
and repainted. They still use caulking irons to drive the oakum between the
boards as far as I know.

Yup, worked at Lake Union Drydock where we had four mine sweeps (that
were originally built there) that went through that process... and
then some. Quite th' art. They had all been sold to th' S. Koreans
and it was really strange trying to get any work done with a pack of
them looking over yer shoulder taking notes.

Snarl