Chainsawing & fitting huge new Keel Timber in a 1910 sailboat - Rebuilding Tally Ho EP21

Rebuilding a historic sailing yacht - Shaping and Fitting the Keel Timber. Support; www.sampsonboat... Become a Patron; / sampsonboatco
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This episode, I work on turning an enormous lump of Purpleheart Timber into a new Keel for the historic sailing vessel, Tally Ho. I make a plywood pattern from the old keel, then plane the surfaces of the new wood, before using a custom chainsaw jig to cut the rolling bevels. Poncho the parrot watches as we manoeuvre the heavy timber underneath the precariously balanced 20-ton boat, using jacks, rollers and levers. Finally - fresh timber in the boat!
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MANY THANKS FOR ALL YOUR INTEREST AND SUPPORT!
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Music;
Forget the Whale - 10 Days Instrumental
US Army Blues - Main Stem
Ryan Andersen - One and Only
Forget the Whale - Ghost Instrumental
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21. Shaping and fitting the Keel Timber - Rebuilding Tally Ho EP21

[@SampsonBoatCo]

A couple of people have raised concerns over the safety of planing lead. I really appreciate your concern for my health, and I want to give my thoughts on it here to clear up any misconceptions, and so people don’t have to keep asking about it. The practical; Firstly, ALL the fine dust came from the putty on top of the ballast keel - it is NOT lead dust. The lead itself was very cleanly cut by the sharp planer blades into easily visible and collectable strands, all of which I collected. Since concerns have been raised, I have meticulously gone over the whole area again to collect any strands that I may have missed, also skimming off a layer of the wood-chip in places. It has been pointed out that the putty (that made the fine dust) could have contained white lead. This is possible, but white lead powder was only really mixed into putty to be used in places like topside seams, where the far more common read lead powder/putty would show through the white paint. In a bedding application like this, if any lead was used, it would have been Red Lead, which would have strongly coloured the putty and still be visible (that being the whole point of it being red - as a warning) The philosophical; Life is an exercise in managing and assessing risk. My assessment is often very different to that of many - I have done lots of things that many would consider stupid. Crossing the Atlantic alone with no GPS or engine in tiny, leaky boat is an obvious example. I feel that my life has been enriched again and again by making my own assessment of which risks are worthwhile, and ignoring the consensus. Taking on the Tally Ho project at all was an inconceivably large risk. And although I take small risks with my health daily, the more severe risk in my personal opinion is the risk of not finishing the boat before I run out of money / before my family situation requires my return to the UK / before my hosts get sick of me here. And so I try and get on with it, occasionally upsetting the more cautious observers along the way. The MOST severe risk in life, I believe, it to be so afraid of risk that you can’t do anything - a modern epidemic. Anyway, my point here is that the risk involved in making some putty-dust is considerably less that many things we do daily - crossing the road, eating macdonalds, smoking, etc. It seems like almost everything has been declared poisonous, and the truth is that none of these things, if done sparingly and with common sense, will do much harm. But for sure, eating mcdonald’s every day of your life or working with lead every day of your life will probably mess you up. In conclusion; Please don’t worry about my risk assessment for my own health - I have been doing this long enough and carefully enough to know my limits with power-tools, etc. The speed and editing of my videos often make operations look far riskier than they are in reality. HOWEVER, I do appreciate that some things also affect other people/creatures and in this case, if there is any lead contamination, I wouldn’t want it to harm any volunteers, chickens and dogs. This is why I am meticulously going over the area again, clearing more topsoil, and have ordered a lead-testing kit to know for sure. I have a fence, so it is easy to keep the animals out of the area until then. Sorry for the essay, but I hope it may have shed some light on my philosophy. I do appreciate everybody’s concern, and I know it generally comes from kindness. Okay - back to it!

[@technicstim]

been making my own fishing weights for years and im ok apart from webbed feet ;-)

[@philipmasters7491]

Think about it weigh up the risks and if you’re happy, go ahead with due care and attention. I worked with lots Benzene fumes many years ago apparently I should have been dead years ago but I’m still here at 71!

[@preluded]

You can also up your garlic consumption, clinically shown: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/22151785/

[@dax8476]

Great work Leo thanks for another excellent video, glad that you're occasionally thinking safety, but I absolutely agree with the over secure lives that imposed on us today, affects me in my work too. Excellent, unique and superbly well documented project!

[@larsrodbok1285]

Leo, I was the second person to express concern. You are an adult and I respect your right to take risks. However, it seems folly to think the discrete shavings of lead are all that is coming off that planet. I am a woodworker, as you are and we both know that they shed dust and shavings. I am also a certified lead inspector/assessor in CA, an effing regulator you might say. Lead left behind, as shavings and dust are still there for whoever makes a garden in that spot 50 years from now. If you hug a nursing mother, or a pregnant woman without thoroughly washing and changing clothes, you are exposing them to lead that they will absorb at a rate of 50%, compared to your absorption rate of 15%. That is part of the risk, too. That said, I am one of your legion of fans and am sorry to be a bummer in your day. Best from all your fans ( I am sure they will let me speak for them in wishing you well)!

[@ColinHarvey78]

These early videos of Tally Ho are an extraordinary testament of determination and skill in the face of enormous challenges without much resources to overcome them

[@andersmoore]

I have been watching and supporting for years and it is so interesting to revisit these videos now that her feet are finally wet.

[@108hindu]

Leo, “I’m a boatbuilder”. What a massive understatement that is.

[@lowbrowscruffy]

I am so glad that this is being recorded. It is a trade and a skill level most folks just cannot perceive possible.

[@JGV_IX]

Not gonna lie - pulling that saw towards your leg is terrifying 😮 BUT there’s no substitute for experience so well done!! I tip my hat to you for putting in all this work yourself and making a great video for us to sit and watch and replying to comments! Very impressive!

[@Rottingboards]

I love seeing you sharpen the hand tools and carving the wood. I haven't seen this done since my grandfather. You are a master.

[@johnstoffel5885]

This is truly a labor of love. You are an ancient boat builder in a young man's body.

[@everwind5691]

Amazed by your ingenuity and skills. I would happily buy wooden coins made from some of Tally-Ho's purple heart keel. That way I could say I have a part of Tally Ho. You could number them, burn an image of Tally, etc. to help raise money for the project. That is a very pretty wood.

[@tonyozimek2116]

well said

[@jerryf609]

Me too.

[@laurencewarden7600]

Count me in on that. Good idea!

[@kapkone]

Yes!

[@christophersmith2871]

No thanks.

[@breakawaybooks4752]

Awesome to see these older videos. You've come a LONG way.

[@sethstarrett2987]

Leo, I am a Stihl certified mechanic who sold saws like yours for years; I want to point out a feature that may be very valuable to you. I don't remember if your particular farm and ranch saw has an adjustable oiler, but it is well worth checking both the underside of the saw and possibly behind the muffler to find out. It may also be noted in your user manual. If it does, the oiler can be adjusted with the small carburetor screwdriver that should have come with your saw. This would allow you to increase the amount of oil output for all future operations. That, and the continued use of Stihl chain or at least chain that has dimples on the drivers in the underside will go a long way towards bar and chain life as well as heat mitigation and potentially safety.

[@SampsonBoatCo]

thanks for the tip. Oiler is adjusted to deliver as much as possible, still doesn't seem like enough to me. Will bear in mind the chain tip, too

[@Paulholio69]

Mate, I watch a lot of boat building videos, and I think you are one of the very few out there who actually knows what the hell they’re doing.

[@matthewmcclaren8758]

Paul Spooner” tips of a ship wright” is a guru as well

[@Paulholio69]

Matthew McClaren You’re 100% correct, Louis is definitely a guru!

[@Bezzzzo]

That's it. I watch some of the others, but this is the only one i really look forward to.

[@makhoe1]

The keel went from underwhelming to elegant in a minute. Your decision to replace the timber was a good one. I hope you keep getting the funding you need.

[@wilfwilliams]

That smile when the keel is under the boat !! Brilliant !

[@flylear45]

I get so much satisfaction watching a true craftsman at work. Carry on mate. Fantastic project.

[@spiggytopes]

Nice work Leo. It was particularly gratifying to see how you roughed out the keel and moved it. Half a world away and 23 years ago myself and fellow students at the Shipwrights’ Point School of Wooden Boatbuilding in Franklin, Tasmania, cut out a (single) piece of southern blue gum (eucalyptus globulus) exactly the same way. We first sunk the stern post and knee to the bottom of a brackish creek to wash out the sap. We used the jack out of my old Ford to move the keel on pipe rollers and one of us hopped up and cut the shape freehand with a chainsaw. It was tough work. Good tip on the rip chain! Cut the rabbet with adzes. The Eric Cox-designed Lady Franklin was launched on the Huon River in1996. Just goes to show when you learn a craft like traditional timber boatbuilding in a linear, first-hand fashion, how all roads lead back to common techniques, all the way to the Phoenicians.

[@tomhutchins1046]

Seriously his skill and drive to get this done is very admirable. Far beyond his years in that regard.

[@othbor]

I CAN'T SAY HOW HAPPY I AM TO SEE A YOUNG MAN INVOLVING SOMETIME OF HIS YOUNG LIFE IN SUCH ENDEAVOUR...I AM A OLD MAN HAPPY AFTER SEE WHAT IS NOT NORMAL ANYMORE, CONGRATS KID, YOU BECOME ONE OF MY HEROS.

[@joemeyer6876]

I just rebuilt the porch deck on my house and I put down roof tar and felt before installing the new decking. Thanks, I’d never thought of that!

[@jessdigs]

I love how the bird just hangs out with all the noise going on. Doesn’t even phase him

[@asraharrison]

I cannot believe you took that entire keel project on by yourself! Very Impressive.

[@dr.a.995]

Thus far, this has to be my favorite vid because the keel has an inherent beauty that whispers smooth sailing through any water. The crafstman and the artist were working together. Also, the pressure was on Leo to get it right the first time on a rare piece of beautiful timber weighing in at over 1.5 tons.

[@Wenvalley]

Leo, I listen to what you intend to do on your project, Tally Ho, and I think, "No Friggen Way". So many things that you accomplish, seem impossible when you describe the next phase. Then, as I watch in wonder, you take a huge task, and demolish that huge task bit by bit, and after a time, the task is done. I'm Gob Smacked! Well done sir!

[@howardwells9002]

A Renaissance Man ! Gosh, I am impressed!

[@leeklemetti1887]

Skill, knowledge, inspiration, along with passion, desire, and stamina are what make a boat builder. Excellent!

[@acrabb]

At 19:06 I was having kittens, watching that, what, 2,000 lb baulk of timber perched precariously on top of that stack of spacers, just waiting to fall off and skittle those props...really glad you got through this step!

[@SampsonBoatCo]

yeah that was the sketchiest bit...

[@drewpierce2273]

Rigging that keel into place was a damn good show of home grown engineering.

[@TheCitroenman1]

that has to be a killer turning over such a heavy lump of wood

[@mealex303]

Glad to see your using the best ever oil can ever made!

[@clayz1]

A rolling bevel. Rolls off the tongue. That keel is a nice bit of sculpture, beautiful to look at now. That will be hidden when doing its job. Who knows when it will be examined once more many years from now.

[@manfredschmalbach9023]

10% hydraulics, 10% levers, 80% dedication. Very impressive in deed. Thank You very much for doing the additional work of filming, editing and sharing!

[@grahamcarter3872]

You sir are a craftsman, superb work and tutorial.

[@kimfucku8074]

Need to get to bed now but I leave a like as sign of returning back and watching the video!

[@webbtrekker534]

Having replaced both stems and transoms in 35 to 40 foot "classic" boats I know the feeling when something comes together. That was over 35 years ago now. Whew! Time flies. Congrats on a great job.

[@lippincottmarine]

Fantastic! So much better than any other “sailing channel”

[@gerilarryogle970]

Wow! Great work. I am, also, very bewildered, shocked and amazed at the luck you have had in finding tools and the shop to work in. I can see you finding friends and benefactors to loan you the equipment to rebuild Tally Ho. But , to fall into what you have been given in Oregon is beyond my belief. The Gods are with you, Leo. Neptune shines on you. Oh, and thank you very much for the music. Great stuff. Thanks for the You Tube video.

[@SampsonBoatCo]

I'm very lucky to be in this space :) Thanks

[@SVSeeker]

Awesome to see the progress. You did a beautiful job dancing that keel into place. Well done.

[@blowinkk9396]

I learn so much about wood working watching your videos

[@kenwhite451]

Nice all Old School wood boats/ships are handcrafted ! Great thing about dogs they don't care what's going on just glad to share the time with you. Parrot's same but got to raise one from birth to take to the seas and will out live You !

[@steveskouson9620]

Leo, I'm astonished by the sheer volume of that Purpleheart. Here. a pen blank is about 2 dollars. (1X1X7 or so.) You must have a MILLION pen blanks there. Keep up the GREAT job! steve

[@thomasarussellsr]

Bloody brilliant bit of kit, that chainsaw/jigsaw. Another major step done, now for fit-up. Great work so far Leo and helper folks. I so wish I had the funding and ability to take on such a beautiful project. Cheerio!

[@ToeCutter454]

that's one cool little jig for the chainsaw i haven't seen before! and the amount of scrap wood that can be used for pens, knife scales or bowls or other projects :) bit of a woodworker here so i save EVERYTHING!

[@deborahszafraniec4829]

I so appreciate Leo's attention to detail, even smoothing out the purple wood when hardly anyone would see it! Now the big question is, does he drink his beer cold like an American or warm like a Brit?

[@ocendo1]

Hello Leo,thank you for making this wonderful series of boatbuilding technikes.I wish you all the best in your life.Music is nice and video editing,perfect.Consider inviting some children ,from nearby school, and let them work on some small projects.

[@samnewton3542]

Got to enjoy this video 12 miles offshore!

[@LifeOnTheHulls]

That chainsaw rig is brilliant. Great job Leo, I am certain your assessment of the risk to yourself and others is more than sufficient and as I am working alone as well, I tend to err on the side of caution and way up the risks to ensure I don't get hurt in the process of the many dangers of boat building. Magnificent piece of timber.All the best. Rossco

[@BillAndersonNS]

Thanks for another excellent video. I laughed at first when you said you were grateful for not being crushed to death....until I realized you were being serious. Watching you makes me marvel at what a single person can accomplish.

[@Pit315689]

Totally awesome. The perseverance and determination of Leo is a lesson for all. Never was the phrase ‘where there’s a will there’s a way’ more apt than watching this guy single handedly overcome all obstacles. Bloody marvellous.

[@joechaos13]

This series is so fascinating. I knew boats could be complicated, but I had no idea how much. I give you a lot of props for taking on such a huge project.

[@trivalentlogic]

my favourite bit by now. Congratulations on the new kiel - you are a stud!!

[@Baj64]

Chuck Norris came to help !? That'll move things along ! Great job man, I love this series.

[@1echidna507]

Eric B. When Chuck Norris finishes dinner, he asks Leo’s permission to leave the table

[@Johnny241948]

All those Purple Heart shavings and saw dust would make some great resin projects. Maybe team up with some turners/artists to make and sell the projects so some or all the funds could help in the rebuilding of TALLY HO.

[@altheliterate]

..and I pushed my skill set to the maximum repairing a toilet today. Awesome work, amazing skills.

[@luchism6283]

That is a massive piece of purple heart. I bet knife makers would be drooling for just a 6 inch sliver for making knife handles.

[@jeremyseiler1559]

man i would love to have a drop from that beautiful piece of purple heart

[@t0x0n1x]

Those are huge pieces of Purpleheart to rip. Nice job, that looks fantastic. - toxonix

[@ToeCutter454]

we call it a joiner because it's used to make the sides smooth for joining wood together where as the planer is used to bring wood into a dimensional thickness.

[@kerrygreenlees1102]

You really are quite remarkable. I am amazed at what you can do with a lever and a hydrolic jack. So happy for you.

[@TogaManGuitarViols]

I notice a Star Class (Blue under tarp) in the yard. My uncle Prescott Wilson designed the rig on the Star Class as well as making the sails for the J-Class Americas cup. Love watching this Tally Ho project as it is in my blood! I grew up on one of Lyle Hess's earliest boats and I see the influence of the early British Channel Cutters in the design. Totally hooked on this series! I came in on the recent primer episodes but decided to go back to ep 1. Cheers Leo!

[@stimpsonjcat67]

LOL...you got the planer/joiner explanation perfect. 11:50 it's so much fun to watch someone use a chisel so accurately. On a separate note, we *could* make a square base from cast...it machines wonderfully.

[@thjakits]

Boy, it's hard to watch that chainsaw board that close to your leg/foot! Awesome work, man!!

[@Mr59ZIPPO]

Excellent Work. looking forward to the next video. Fine Job. Stay Safe. Watching in Texas..

[@Bowfinger6383]

Came for the jig, stayed for the music. 👍🏼

[@dicksopinions6260]

You rock

[@kentuckycowboy2]

@ Sampson Boat Co, Just wanted to say if you may of not thought about it and have the time or help you might be able to check ebay and those scrap pieces of purple heart that are not usable in any way further down the road in your project might be able to bring in funding for your project in form of knife handle , pepper mill and pen blanks if you've got the time and resources or someone to help deal with it that is. Maybe even lot it off if not. Thanks for sharing your journey of saving the old sailing girl with us also.

[@FrankLadd]

Huzzah! Leo lives and so does his boat!

[@clydecessna737]

Fantastic.

[@geedubb2005]

Leo, here’s some food for thought. I have an old timer that does a lot of chainsawing for me and others, including log home building. . He uses Wesson cooking oil for his bar oil and has for years. I asked him why and his answer was it’s clean and easier on the environment. Just thought I’d share that with you.

[@SampsonBoatCo]

thanks, good to know!

[@kr1886]

You seemed to gain an extra bit of satisfaction from your latest work and rightly so!

[@ki6baq66]

wow, great demonstration

[@tward81]

This is satisfying in ways I can’t explain

[@space_coast_snapshots6457]

thats what i call dedication bro

[@dennisstraight]

Thank you for sharing.

[@fredrickdavenport1611]

Impressive, I've worked purple heart before, It is an extremely hard wood you make it look easy.

[@jamesworkman6144]

Unreal excellent Work

[@dougmc666]

Making the decision to replace the keel was huge, I guess at this stage it feels pretty good to have done it.

[@dsloop3907]

Very good video, the audio accompaniment was the best of any of your videos. And The work you are doing is first rate.

[@digimikek]

Great progress on the keel and ballast. Well done. Hard to imagine its all been done by one guy!

[@lawr46]

Acorn to Arabella posted a good video as a follow up to all the lead storm comments that they received after working on their lead keel. Some of your commenters should watch it. Keep up the good work!!

[@reddogdude]

I discovered your channel a couple of weeks ago and have been really enjoying your content/project/story/adventure. I am beyond impressed at your determination and problem solving. Keep up your good work. You are making the world a more interesting place!

[@stainlesssteelrat2821]

Great series of videos. Absolutely fascinating..... Give me a lever long enough and i will move the earth

[@ArcticSeaCamel]

This must be the best and most impressive video on KZbin yet. Awesome!

[@trinescape]

Once again an excellent post ,i take my hat off too you what a worthy project you are undertaking well done cheers Andy

[@dmain6735]

Bro your building skills. Ace

[@Kilt_Bilt]

Powermatic II, nice saw. I have one myself.

[@scratchbuildermodels254]

Loving these videos, being a time served Carpenter building anything especially in timber gets a huge 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 from me.

[@TyphoonVstrom]

Big job, big success!

[@dovaugha]

Keel looks brilliant. Inspirational channel

[@bayareablues2255]

Seeing you cutting with that chainsaw between your legs reminded me of the old James Bond scene where he's tied to the table and the laser beam is between his legs. I was worried about you, but I knew how the movie turned out!

[@Worldslayer85]

soo good. I ended up watching it a second time. that Keel is beautiful...

[@chucksterock]

Great work and another great video. I really enjoy learning about boat building even though it's not something I'll ever do. Still fascinating to see another world unfold. Thanks Leo!

[@shanek6582]

Joiner planer does the edges, surface planer does the thickness.

[@suckerfree23]

Remarkable progress

[@TheJustonemore]

You Sir. Are A Rock Star.

[@glenntepe1]

Beautiful work... love your videos! Purple Heart splinters are the worse!

[@yossefakl870]

Good job 👍🏻

[@martineyer5336]

The weather looks much better now. Amazing work Leo. Can’t wait to see the next episode👍

[@thearchibaldtuttle]

The dog don’t wants to miss the deadline for applying as ship dog. Great work, as always!

[@denniss5512]

It's amazing to see a single guy, and sometimes, 2 handle such a large timber and manuever it into place with levers and fulcrums. I think this proves man can build a pyramid with a long enough lever.

[@Ianduncanqld1]

Dennis Sampson I was thinking exactly the same thing! It’s very impressive

[@samualwhittemore228]

Yeah, but they only had bronze while building the pyramids. Thus, No steel levers. I'm sticking with the alien theory. ;))

[@FiferSkipper]

It wasn't torque that built the pyramids, it was buoyancy... crazy as it sounds, they floated the stones (presumably with air bags made from animal skins) up the sides in stone-tubes of water!

[@drx1xym154]

OR a floating pyramid temple on the water!

[@musFuzZ]

My guess on the pyramids are tracks made of stone with bearings underneath the stones, pulleys with counterweights, and giant wrenches on the rollers

[@spartanworria]

I think you have no idea how fucking amazing you are. This is jaw dropping, I am beyond impressed. I wish you every good fortune in this project.