Putting In the Shipmate & A Visit To MIT - Episode 208 - Acorn to Arabella: Journey of a Wooden Boat

[@georgeemeny6123]

I would never have thought MIT would be teaching people a process that is over two hundred years old. I always thought of MIT as cutting edge new technology.

[@AcornToArabella]

But everything we use and design is based on everything that came before. Understanding the limitations, eccentricities, and capabilities of materials is key to design and engineering.

[@jannepeltonen2036]

A super interesting episode! The stove tiling looks really good, I love the idea of large "insert sack" and small "take some fuel" doors. And the stuff at MIT was mesmerizing to watch. A couple points about the stove - I inherited a house that had an anthracite burning central heating system, and I soon began to think my great uncle's health failed exactly because of handling the anthracite. Anthracite dust is really horrible stuff. So be careful with that. (Also, obviously, burning coal isn't a good thing for the climate - but other realistic heating options for a boat are all fossil fuels anyway, so I don't know if that makes a real difference.) I love watching the progress :D I got busy with everything and am a year and a half behind schedule on videos, but that just means I can use a rainy day to binge watch them :-P

[@juliancripps1580]

You may want to adopt a prewar dodge to avoid the dirt and dust produced from handling coal. Pre prepare small packets of coal in strong paper bags and store the bags in the cabin coal locker. This is tip from the the notable Maurice Griffith, whose boating was mainly in thin water but whose books are a treasure trove of tips for practical boating in traditional wooden boats. I would recommend ‘The Magic of the Swatchways’. Maurice Griffith felt that a real fire not only bring warmth but vital comfort to a sail boat cabin. Happy sailing.

[@tburket3]

Completely agree on thinking through the dirt and dust associated with your coal supply storage and management - both physical containers and protocols. Coal dust is fine and as persistent as glitter. The pre-prepared paper bags (assume sized so that 3 would fill an empty firebox so you can 'top off' to sustain your heat) is a great idea, but some form of durable, cleanable and replaceable system to hold the prepared bags would be recommended. Without thinking through it, the entire area around the coal storage will turn black over time. Consider fitting something like a "bread box" or 50-cal ammunition box in the cabinet.

[@mossm717]

Really cool to see MIT is not only about theory, but also supporting hands-on making and engineering

[@bandols]

This episode really hit my heart hard. Seeing that even our most advanced universities still teach things like this makes me so happy. What's even better is what is probably the most prestigious technical university in the country had a teacher who wanted to also support this project.

[@AcornToArabella]

Hear hear, Daniel. We felt the same way while we were there and we’re so glad we could take you along.

[@cadalot58]

Takes me back to the early 70's high school when I did metalwork and we made items out of cast iron. In our last two years of High School we went to the local Technical Collage to a General Engineering Course where we did Technical Drawing, Machine Shop Fabrication, Sheet Metal Fabrication, all different forms of welding and made ourselves so many tools for our future. I still have most of what I fabricated and made from those days. It was such a great experience and we were the Guinea Pigs as they hadn't done a school - college linked course like that before.

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks for sharing your story, Alan!

[@HaroldKuilman]

You need a bigger gap under the stove!!! I would not go with less then 4" but preferably even more. Happy last Friday 🎉

[@dennisdownes9319]

MIT also maintains one of the largest wooden boat building plan libraries! How cool is it that the A2A community includes not only places like Newport, Bristol, Mystic and Maine, but the manufacturing Royalty of MIT! Awesome video..........as usual!! DD

[@jaydubya4727]

Today's vid was especially engaging for me. Loved the visit to MIT campus and who knew they had a sailing club with dinghies available to students? And a class? How cool!! Progress on Arabella is amazing and this week's work just a peek at some of the forethought, planning, and execution of the many, many tasks that will add up to such a unique accomplishment: Arabella!

[@AcornToArabella]

Cheers! Happy Friday!

[@marcryvon]

Could'nt say it better.

[@MaShcode]

Never mind sailing. You should see the rowing crew launch.

[@grandenauto3214]

Doesn’t surprise me, University of Calgary has camping and rock climbing gear available… all depends on what’s in the area.

[@kenrolt8072]

The first Tech Dinghies, wooden lapstrake of course, were built by Herreshoff Mfg Co based on Prof. George Owens II design. I think they were delivered in late 1935 and were intended for student use, and later inter-collegiate racing. Owens was a Professor in the Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Dept, which later became the Ocean Engineering Dept (a.k.a. Course 13),. It now lives on as the Center for Ocean Engineering under the Mechanical Engineering Dept (Course 2).

[@TheREBwater]

The casting project was cool. It was also nice to get at least a quick shot of Anne brightening up this installment.

[@AcornToArabella]

Awww shucks! -Annie B

[@DrDaveSalisburyPhDMBA]

Long have I wondered, how often Steve looks at a pattern and a finished product, and thought, “You fit the last time… why don’t you fit now?” Great job! I wish I was still physically able to help, it would be a grand adventure!

[@Mtlmshr]

What a blessing just to be able to go to MIT let alone having a professor work with to get parts made! Now you can honestly say that Arabella was helped in the construction by MIT! I don’t think any other KZbin boat can say that! In my eyes MIT is one of the worlds most prestigious engineering schools!

[@AcornToArabella]

They certainly are and we are very thankful.

[@michaelcima5772]

I've been a faculty member at MIT 36 years and have followed the Arabella project since near it's beginning. I'm also novice woodworker and boat builder. Making is a big deal here and I am surprised at some of the comments. Besides the foundry and forge, there is the MIT Hobby Shop which has been around since the early part of the last century. Also, the MIT Glass Lab. All of these are some of the most popular student activities. Of course, we have countless machine shops and prototyping facilities across campus.

[@AcornToArabella]

We had no idea! We’re so glad to bring people inside the spaces there, Michael! -Anne

[@danomago8402]

My cousin went to MIT in the 80’s and is an engineer of surgical instruments that wouldn’t have happened without the hands on machining

[@geoffreycampbell8074]

Hi Micheal! So glad to see you participating in the A2A project. This episode made me very happy - that MIT was involved too. Kudos to Danny Braunstein. I haven't met him, but maybe the next time I'm in town.

[@michaelcima5772]

@@AcornToArabella thanks for the great content

[@grandenauto3214]

I’m surprised as well???? I’ve attended a few universities and each one had cool things that they provide to students and community. I’ve visited MIT and have checked out a few things on campus…. I love the university culture and visit different universities around the world when we take trips, I would suggest that people see what is available at there local university, you might be surprised

[@lacrewpandora4164]

Dr. Braunstein is a good name for somebody in charge of the bronze lab.

[@AcornToArabella]

IT IS! Hahaha

[@direbearcoat7551]

This was a great episode! It's fantastic that you got a little help from MIT students with the bronze cleats. That was fascinating to watch. EDIT: At the start of this video, you talk about the need for skilled volunteers. You named a few disciplines: electrical, fiberglass, and a few others. Then the trip to MIT where we saw the bronze casters... So, many people with so many specialized skills are needed to build this boat. Imagine if we had a civilization ending event, a meteor strike that wipes out civilization, and throws us back into the stone age. So many people with their special skills would be lost. All of that would have to be relearned, rediscovered. We'd have to start all over again, and regain those many skills before another Acorn To Arabella could be built again.

[@AcornToArabella]

So glad you enjoyed it.

[@h2energynow]

Fantastic, MIT got involved, Teaching, students. Professor Danny Braunstein, you are awesome.

[@AcornToArabella]

Danny’s enthusiasm is infectious.

[@Jakfilm]

The music cue at around 19.50 was amazing. I've said it before: how lucky you are to have Ben creating such fantastic music for the channel.

[@AcornToArabella]

We are so very lucky.

[@andyubel2083]

I went to MIT (a long time ago '77-'81) and enjoyed seeing the campus and the Charles River. Many nice weekends spent sailing there during the summertime.

[@AcornToArabella]

What a spot to sail!

[@georgebalogi8751]

Absolutely stunning. I’ve seen foundry work before, but to see young people’s first exposure in such a well equipped learning environment ... wow.

[@AcornToArabella]

It’s really something!

[@jeremyaplin1393]

Great Video. Like many others I have followed you almost from beginning. As a retired teacher of Design and Technology in Southwest UK it was great to see the students getting into casting, exactly as I used to teach it. The only difference was that we used Aluminium or as you say Aluminum. What an opportunity for the MIT students to get involved with your project. Keep up the good work.

[@dreamgear]

That's hallowed ground there... a peek into wonderland. Thanks a lot for this one.

[@glacierwulf26]

I think Ben and Ann summed up the MIT segment with the shot at 29:51 Thanks to everyone for the amazing series

[@christianrogers2361]

I’d suggest researching how much clearance is required around and under the stove to combustible materials. You may decide you need to increase the gap under the stove, which could also help get air moving and keep the boat warmer.

[@tomshirley8028]

Great to see you visit the Pappalardo Materials lab. Neil Pappalardo in the founder of the company I have worked at for 34 years. What a great place.

[@jannepeltonen2036]

The shot with that collie was absolutely beautiful!

[@colinslant]

Didn't know you could learn blacksmithing and metal casting at MIT. Brilliant.

[@williamschmidt8944]

Good morning Steve, Anne, KP and Ben! Happiest of Fridays!

[@AcornToArabella]

Hey hey happy Friday, William!

[@dmmaddex]

I'm always impressed by the splendid craftsmanship.

[@AcornToArabella]

Thank you! Very kind.

[@MCP53]

I've been keeping warm for over five years now with my pot-belly stove, burning smokeless coal ovals, starting with kindling of course. My stove is also fore and aft and heats my 20 cubic metres of cabin just fine. I can also burn wood (loglets I call them, as the little door will only accept 3" diameter and 4" long fuel) but with wood, chimney sweeping is much more frequent! I wouldn't swap my little stove for any fancy new device, because I can find wood out in the fields and coal is easy to store. Enjoy your little oven - what a treat 🙂.

[@AcornToArabella]

“Loglets” LOVE IT!

[@bish1121]

Two words spring to mind. Coal tongs 👍. I think you will use the stove more than you think. A slow steady burn just ticking over will keep the damp air at bay. Plus jacket potatoes that have been in all day add a knob of butter & as the evening draws in Grab a fork. sit in the cockpit as the sky darkens look towards the bow then up at the rigging & enjoy with a little smile that you truly earned 😁👍.

[@AcornToArabella]

Love that visual, Paul. Can’t wait for the potatoes. 😁

[@iSTAYuGO]

I always get a smile when you re-use Victoria parts and boards. Arabella is a boat with lot of character and stories, your video is a special treat, thank you.

[@exi]

I work at a high grade steel casting foundry and its very nice to finally see some casting on youtube that has been done the proper way. As in packing the sand, using protective equipment, creating flow channels and air vents and i've also seen some feeder heads even though they have not been explained. Molten metals shrink as they cool (between 0.7 and 2.5% so yes, all replicas are smaller than the original if no additonal steps have been done to compensate). If there is no molten metal to fill the shrinking area then cavitys will form. Those can be inside of the casting (which might prevent technical use and therefore inflicts heavy grinding and welding) or on the outside (which looks ugly and needs to be welded as well). To keep liquid metal available you create a bigger feed and wrap it in insulating material. You can see this on the 2 castings beeing unpacked starting at 27:32.

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks so much for sharing your experience in the comments here… great to hear that this was enjoyable to a person with experience! Cheers!

[@lory2622]

Insomnia has me up at 4:00 am, thanks for filling that hole. Happy Friday.

[@captainhgreen]

Your making progress on the boat. What a surprise that MIT would offer to make bronze cleats so the students could pour bronze. That is a definite win win.

[@Joe___R]

I would never have thought MIT had a foundry class. They are much better known for their engineering & computer programming classes than traids.

[@williamthomas2278]

The ancient Greeks didn't separate art from technology as much as we do today. MIT has continued this tradition by having suprememe tech and simple crafts available for the world to advance

[@volundrfrey896]

@@williamthomas2278 Also having manufacturing capabilities for engineering students is fantastic, few schools have it except for a couple of 3d printers. I'm also a great believer in understanding the practical applications and procedures of your abstract work so for those reasons it's great to have something like this... metallurgy is today a hugely advanced field and perhaps that's something you can study at MIT.

[@isaaccisa]

It’s possible that this is a manufacturing class for Mechanical Engineering students.

[@williamthomas2278]

@@volundrfrey896 as my English teacher once told me " brevity Bill"

[@AcornToArabella]

Isaac has it!

[@singerap]

That stove is really cool.

[@jamesclary4842]

Steve, It's great to see the way you safely use the table saw. Remember, even experienced, well; anyone can become complacent. My dad cut three fingers off his right hand SO fast, he didn't realize that was what was flying over his shoulder. Thanks to modern medicine, they were surgically reattached, but 15 years later, his hand is barely at 50% original usage. Stay safe!!!

[@AcornToArabella]

Holy cannoli! Thanks for this message of safety and care.

[@twilamoore8879]

maybe make a S>S> insert to store the coal instead of dragging the coal in and out in the bag. You could just reach in and grab what coal you need.

[@charlesmoore456]

Total engagement video. Well done to all! Got my #a2acoffeeclub travel mug this week and I was surprised to see the quality of it. Well worth the money, and it's supporting some fine people. It also came with a 'thank you' card signed by Annie B. What a treasure!! Thanks for sharing your journey with us!!!

[@AcornToArabella]

Awww shucks, Charles, thank you! So glad you like it! -Annie B

[@c.a.mcdivitt9722]

It's Acorn to Arabella Day! :) Nice coffee mug, BTW! I am on vacation, and thus have only tea. Also, please remember the Battle of Tsushima- coal dust gets everywhere and it will make a steel ship flammable, so make sure to keep after it.

[@itsverygreen532]

Before taking the feet off that stove did you try running it up with the feet off and testing how hot it gets underneath? I think it might get *quite* warm ... where warm is "charring hot" ...

[@AcornToArabella]

Not this stove, but there’s evidence that it won’t char through the flame retardant/insulating cement board and tile it’s sitting on. Since the fire box isn’t at the bottom, and since cats sit directly under home woodstoves with much larger beds of coals laying directly on the lower surface, we figured we’ve got that cat data to rely on. Thanks for watching!

[@itsverygreen532]

@@AcornToArabella You can always trust a cat to get it right :) Hot coals on a wooden boat just scaes the bejezus out of me though ;)

[@netjeff]

Ah, the TIM boats! On nice summer days the Charles river basin will be filled with people sailing, kayaking, canoeing, etc.

[@ToddSonneborn]

Funny coincidence: A coworker and I have been following the journey of Arabella since way, way back (lead pour days), and I never miss a week. He's more of a woodworker, and I'm more of a sailor, but your project provides us both with great water-cooler discussions. The two of us know and work for Neil Papalardo, the guy for whom that laboratory is named! Great episode, and I LOVE the idea a few commenters have mentioned about making up small paper bags of coal rather than fumbling with something so messy, so often. If you can avoid needing to use water to clean up every single time you grab coal, that seems totally worth it (I say, never having actually dealt with coal myself - so take that with a grain of salt)!

[@AcornToArabella]

Wowie! Well please let Mr Pappalardo know we love the lab 😁 thanks to you and your friend for being on the journey with us!

[@garysmith8409]

At my old stomping grounds. Heart warming! Especially the Sailing Pavilion. Thx for sharing that.

[@dchubb42]

I would make a tin bin insert that would fit below the stove and through the door. That way any coal, wood, charcoal mess is contained in the metal bin. The idea below of making up pre-made packets in brown paper of coal sized just right to add to the stove to help prevent the mess to start with is a great idea as well.

[@williammcdonnell3748]

great to see moulding still being taught ,i was a sand moulder for over 35years so seen it, done it. got the burn marks lol, sadly it's a dying art in scotland ,

[@BillB23]

Yet another Friday morning with coffee and A2A: life is good. Thanks, crew.

[@AcornToArabella]

Live IS good. Thank you, Bill! Happy Friday. #a2acoffeeclub

[@jryan3906]

Great vid! Thanks for filming the bronze casting at MIT. I love the stove and tile housing (matching the propane heater). FYI. I lived in a domicile when I was younger which had a coal burning stove. We were very careful to store our coal away from the stove. In your case, it's underneath the stove and you have a separation from the stove itself. But just wondering if putting some light fireproofing material inside the lower cavity makes sense (or maybe you already thought of that?)? Wish I were younger and/or retired. I'd travel to MA to help you out this summer! Cheers.

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks for the kind words! We’ve got fireproof cement board under the tile, especially made to have tile mounted to. Great recommendation! Glad you’re watching and happy Friday!

[@carlcarlamos9055]

I’m thinking the dust from the coal presents more of a danger than the actual solid coal itself. Further research on the part of Arabella’s crew seems to be in order. Take care and carry on with the good work.

[@idontthinkso666]

cleaning out that ash bin in those tight, confined quarters will be a nightmare. That tile basin will bee dust/soot/ash covered in no time.

[@Digital-Dan]

They say if you want to make a boat from scratch, you have to start with the Big Bang. Failing that, I remain in awe that so much of the lumber in this vessel came from your forest. It must be continuously satisfying.

[@AcornToArabella]

It is, Dan. Thanks for watching every week!

[@kathywrightjohnson6804]

I got to have the TV to myself this morning so I watched you on the big screen. My mom had neck surgery on Wednesday and yesterday my daughter and I spent the day with her. My sister is picking mom up from the hospital right now and mom will stay with her for a bit. The surgery went well and the pain is in control. So, onto the boat. Things are moving so fast at this point it's crazy. But there are a zillion little things that go into putting the bigger things in. By the time you do go on a voyage you will have plenty of tiny chunks of wood to stash on the boat for the cast iron stove. That and the coal it could work well . Have a safe week.

[@AcornToArabella]

Hi Kathy! Hope your mom is doing well! Thanks and happy Friday.

[@kathywrightjohnson6804]

She is doing well. She is out of the hospital and at my sister's house. It was a long ride home for her so I'm letting her rest and will see her tomorrow. Thanks for asking.

[@TheBubagrunt]

Freaking amazing! Love the casting. What an opportunity from a prestigious university! Touché A&A

[@paullewis6612]

Stephen, Get your S/Steel tank man to fold you an ash tray for the Shipmate. It’ll save you a lot of hassle if he adds a handle front and back, so that you can carry it, and it fits either way in!

[@dangerrangerlstc]

Whats nice to see is the older methods and technologies being taught right along side the modern methods. Got to know where you came from to see how you got where you are now, and see where you're going.

[@pfalzgraf7527]

You went to the fricking MIT! That really would have been an idea that could only be a joke at the time you felled the first tree on your property … What can a YT-channel with engaging content and well-made videos NOT achieve?!! This is all thanks to your dedication to the channel as much as to the boat from the very beginning! You, Steve, and Alix layed the foundation for this years ago. I can’t wait to see what you do with the channel once you are sailing! I hope you get many ore opportunities like this - and perhaps more people can learn things from whatever comes to Arabella in the future.

[@ClimateDude]

Happy Friday, Crew! Wish I could intern in the summer on Arabella, if it weren't for work and that pesky giant ocean seperating us.

[@AcornToArabella]

Oceans, man. Giant and mostly in the way!

[@TimsBitsnPieces]

It's awesome to watch the casting of the bronze parts and the students are learning old time skills which are great. It also is good for the students so that they actually see their items in real time use so it's not just an item that sits and does not get used.

[@AcornToArabella]

Glad you enjoyed coming along with us to MIT!

[@tarttartin8216]

This is such a respectful plea. Good luck!

[@Josef_R]

I hope you're making all your lights dimmable because you'll find that leds are sometimes ridiculously bright when you don't want them to be. I had 9 leds in my RV that took 45 watts to run and after setting them to minimum, they dropped to 3 watts and there was still plenty of ligjt.

[@AcornToArabella]

Yup, we did a video a little while back about the dimmer system.

[@avoirdupois1]

Great to see the project coming together! Did anyone catch the sly joke about the sand preparation machine at 21:19 ? They are known as "Mullers."

[@AcornToArabella]

😁

[@rick91443]

Yes, agreeing with fellow below, the craftsmanship is something to admire but also the really cool working atmosphere and filming techniques(and time taken to produce a video every Friday, on schedule.) Yes sir ree.....cheers...rr Normandy, Fra.

[@AcornToArabella]

Happy Friday, Richard! Thank you so much for being here every week for it.

[@rick91443]

@@AcornToArabella The pleasure is all mine/ours....bon courage cette semaine!

[@hughcrosmun4493]

I have been watching this enterprise since the beginning. I have talked my daughter into driving with me to the open house, from Michigan. I just want to shake a few hands and sign the last few planks. I have enjoyed these videos like nothing else in my life.

[@jeffgold3091]

i learned to sail at the MIT sailing pavilion when i was 10 years old ( dad was a prof ) . since then i’ve taught sailing , sailed intercollegiate , been an outward bound instructor , mate on a 110 schooner , had a day sail business in key west , worked as a rigger at hinckley , built wooden boats with ralph stanley , been a shipwright at mystic restoring the morgan , sailed my boat to the caribbean and did shipwright work down here . lived aboard 3 wooden boats , one aluminum and one steel boat . the most memorable times were planing wildly out of control sailing finns on the river 60 years ago . still thinking about what i want to do when i grow up .

[@AcornToArabella]

Thank you very much for sharing that, Jeff. Also, we lost Ralph this winter and I’m sorry for the loss of what might have been a mentor of yours, and definitely an inspiration to many of us in the boatbuilding community. -Anne

[@jeffgold3091]

@@AcornToArabella in addition to being a consummate craftsman , designer and sailor , ralph was a kind , warm hearted first rate gentleman who simply loved building beautiful boats . valedictorian of his high school class , lifelong student of maritime history and genealogy , self taught musician and instrument maker i miss the many stories ralph was so good at telling . the seven years i spent working with ralph were the best .

[@andrewmantle7627]

Nice audio folks. Good to see you sharing your project with young people. Thanks again.

[@krockpotbroccoli65]

Long ago, growing up outside of Boston, I was friends with a kid who's dad was a materials science professor at MIT. He was an extremely intelligent and eccentric guy who's specialty outside of work was restoring old clocks. He had probably a hundred of the things all around their whacky, rambling, turn of the 20th century Victorian house. I avoided spending the night there because every hour you were rudely awakened by a massive clattering of noise from all the damn clocks. But everyone who lived there slept like logs.

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks for sharing that memory!

[@bobleewhite2220]

I think small paper bags holding a handful of coal or charcoal is a great idea. The fuel storage space could be composed of a removable fiberglass bin (for cleaning purposes). The bin could be tip-out like the bins used for flour long ago.

[@lbdrummer3]

There is special calking that you can get for fire places. That might be something you can use. Would also be neat if you took Arabella to MIT after she's done. The students would really enjoy seeing her.

[@AcornToArabella]

We could bring her partway up that river, not quite to MIT maybe, but what a nice thought.

[@randyclyde4939]

Learned more about bronze casting! Thanks for a great video and continued blessings for your successful "journey to launch"! Many thanks for this, previous and upcoming videos!

[@AcornToArabella]

Thank you, Randy!

[@MikeFloutier]

Loving the way you’re capturing the ambient audio. One minute I’m wondering what my neighbours are up to, the next minute I’m imagining that our cat is walk along the back of the sofa behind my neck, now I’m wondering who on earth my wife is talking to in the kitchen.😂

[@AcornToArabella]

That’s high praise! We’ve been working hard on sweetening our audio. Thank you!

[@The_Juan_Percent]

Fantastic that you guys got to work with the students at MIT. I'm a hard core follower and patron member. Love what you guys do. This post is a commentary on our country an the educational opportunities available to some but not others. An observation as to how difficult it is for people of color to get the same opportunities as white kids, wealth institutionalized racism and general lack of awareness of it even when it happens right before our eyes. Not a single black or brown skinned kid in that class and just a couple in the entire facility. We've got to do better as a society.

[@AcornToArabella]

Oh hey, must say: yes, in this video, perhaps it’s not apparent just how many folks of color use this lab we were in… but there are young adults of various backgrounds and skin color FOR SURE. But, access and representation are everything. 🙌🏼 RIGHT ON. -Anne

[@shoretyus]

A very special episode ... thanks from Canada

[@AcornToArabella]

Thank you! Glad you’re watching!

[@shoretyus]

@@AcornToArabella In to the end .. and beyond...

[@AndrexT]

These episodes seem to fly by! Loved the details on the stove. So if you were to burn wood and direct the smoke down through the oven, you could smoke ribs, fish and sausage. Loved the MIT section. I did casting at school. I found out many years in later life that because we didn't pass one academic exam called the 11+ exam in England we were deemed academic failures, and we streamed into a 'Secondary Modern School' to learn blue collar trades rather than becoming doctors, bank managers and lawyers. I enjoyed the metalwork and woodwork, I became a trade chef, I didn't do too bad and ended up as a hospitality manager, looking after guests and training others.

[@gregorychaney7604]

It is so wonderful that you have MIT doing bronze casting for you!!! I can not say strongly enough how tremendous an opportunity it is to have experienced craftsman and such a well outfitted facility to custom make bronze items for Arrebella. My offer still stands to cast fittings for the project but if MIT is available, I couldn't do any better than that. Beautiful stove install! I burned coal for a while but switched back to wood because it is cleaner and smells so much better. If you can get hardwood for your stove, you might want to burn it first and keep the coal for backup. My only suggestion is to modify the end of the settee so that the board in front of the stove could be folded out of the way to make access to the front of the stove more convenient. Super cool episode! Cheers from Alaska

[@geoffreystearns1690]

There is a hi-temp ceraimc cement/calk compound called Sauereisen that you might find useful for your calking around that coal stove.

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[@rexmyers991]

WOW! A great episode. I sure hope your coal burning stove on a wooden boat never becomes an oxymoron. Interesting and well thought out. THEN a trip to MIT. I had no idea they had courses in this area of expertise. I learned a lot on this episode. Thank you

[@so88113]

Be careful using coal. We heated with a similar style stove for many years, and on more than one occasion the fire got out of control. At those times the stove actually glowed cherry red around the firebox. The clearances you have will not be enough to keep the wood behind the stainless from igniting. The most dangerous time is when you are burning wood and coal together. Also, be sure to keep your ash box emptied. A full ash box will hold the heat and warp the grate.

[@ianmaccormac]

Amazing all the diverse things that you get up to, who would have thought of MIT and bronze casting?? Brilliant!

[@andyhastings5950]

This was by far the best in the last month or so. Fantastic.

[@AcornToArabella]

Wow, thanks, Andy!

[@snowstrobe]

What an honour... for MIT!

[@AcornToArabella]

Aw shucks.

[@kevinvey9474]

I'm so impressed your presentation is second to none. Why your not on GBH ? I much prefer a ship wright to carpenter any day. I get nostalgic about my neighborhood. We had pattern makers, mold makers, and specialized foundries. The trades men the boatyards faded away. A way of life replaced for real estate development,progress. Again thank you this makes my day!

[@AcornToArabella]

Glad you enjoyed it, Kevin!

[@FlyingConey]

Don't forget that you need wood to get the coal starting. Sometimes it's so hot inside that I can't burn coal at all. Also coal is very dirty and the dust gets everywhere. What I can recommend are charcoal briquettes. The trick is to lay them on a really hot bed of ember and get them burning first. Otherwise they literally smell like hell.

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@jimm9052]

Curious about a couple of things. Have you thought of a vent over the range? And.the need to gimbal the wood, coal stove? Beautiful, tile work. MIT, an amazing school.

[@Garryck-1]

The wood/coal stove doesn't need to be gymballed for 2 reasons. Firstly, it's only intended for use at anchor, and secondly, it's mounted athwartships (side-to-side), so things won't fall out when the doors are opened.

[@garyschraa7947]

Man I was just having a real "Tool Time" with Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor moment seeing all those shop tools hahaha . ("uhh uhh uhh uhh the new Bickford Rockwell 6"Jointer") 😆

[@jeanhawken4482]

Terrific having this school on board

[@AcornToArabella]

Agreed!

[@jamesbeaman5944]

Sweet. Coming along nicely!

[@oldwillie313]

Would love to see the progress KP is making on the projects she has been working on the last two weeks.

[@AcornToArabella]

That’s coming right up! Centerline locking and blocks at the stem and stern to receive covering boards are IN. That update comes next week.

[@jacobfalk4827]

Can't wait to see you sail along with Delos and Parlay!

[@AcornToArabella]

That sounds like fun, Jacob. What a nice thing to daydream about!

[@foweymarine1240]

My experience of Anthracite is that this coal burnes giving off very high heat. I believe it was used in the steel making busness in Wales, UK!

[@AcornToArabella]

Hello to you in Cornwall, Fowey Marine! Is that where you’re at? Do you know about Restoring Rosalind?

[@randiiburleson]

@@AcornToArabella mp

[@wildlydull1975]

Spectacular video.

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks!

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

Dear Arabellas Acorns. 👍👌👏 Simply fantastic again and as always (video and work). Anne and Ben always do such a great job! Congrats! 2) Oh WOW, working with the the world famous MIT! Building a big sail boat in the backyard and being utube celebrities obviously has it's advantages. ;-) One of the best things that happened to Arabella was Victoria! I really hope that Arabellas dinghy will be named Vitoria. 3) I'm absolutely sure that you will love your wood/coal stove/oven and that you will use it a lot. With a special small mesh container you can even burn pellets. Fire wood (driftwood/beachwood/pallets) and other fuel (for instance coconut shells), will always be available and mostly be for free. By the way: Please kindly allow me to suggest to consider to have something like a chopping block on board (at least a small one). 3a) I'm a bit concerned to see the fire proof material (respectively the edges) in the fire box exposed from above. The material is not really sturdy and kind of brittle. Therefore please kindly allow me to suggest, that you put a piece of (cast) angle iron or a plate at least over the right firebrick to protect it from damage. 4) As always Thanks a lot for making teaching explaining recording editing uploading and sharing. Best regards luck and health to all involved people and dogs.

[@davidwinokur2131]

The number one challenge to learning any new regimen is the nomenclature.

[@I86282]

1:25. I Just submitted my application. I can only imagine there are many more qualified applicants. But I thought it's too good an opportunity to not at least apply for. Fingers crossed. May the force be with us all.

[@badcat4707]

Good morning Akiva and Crew :-)

[@AcornToArabella]

Happy Friday to ya!

[@andrewmorton3511]

Can you please test burn that stove out in the yard. I am really curious to see how she goes. It's such a neat piece.... Also curious about the smoke bleed through those stove plates....especially when cold. Thanks Steve

[@billspear7702]

you need to check out the Hart Nautical Galleries next time you are on campus.

[@shaneprice7590]

Have a spare tilting grate (or two) with you, especially burning anthracite. I've five decades experience with it, as well as all types of wood and more normal types of coal. Anthracite has an energy density greater than other forms of coal, so control of the airflow is important. If you let it get away from you the higher temperatures it can support will damage the grate. It goes without saying that without a functioning grate your stove will be difficult to manage.

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks so much for sharing your experience!

[@Fambamm-ib6pw]

Awesome content as always, hope all you guys and gal's are doing well. Can't wait until next week!

[@VivaPamplona]

Nice job Gaffer!

[@AcornToArabella]

😁

[@srform]

If you didn’t already, check out the Herreshoff collection at the MIT Museum.

[@AcornToArabella]

YES, my dear friend worked for them for a long while, digitizing the plans. You’ll be glad to know that they’re building a separate museum space for it so the public can have even better access to the artifacts and archives. I got to meet the new curator while I was visiting earlier in the week, too, and she’s fantastic. -Anne

[@evanschwartz3030]

Speaking of Herreshoff, I designed a new museum for Herreshoff the collection as lead design architect back in 1980. The new museum was to be located on the site of the original Herreshoff boatworks waterfront property facing the Narragansett River. Some of you might recall the original boatworks was a total loss due to the devastating hurricane of 1938. A truly spectacular site! Unfortunately the project never materialized due to financial and political issues, and yes, I remember visiting the comprehensive collection at MIT.

[@herbertbates4655]

It's cool to see that the type face for room ID hasn't changed in the sixty-plus years since I received a degree in, as luck would have it, metallurgy! from MIT. Interiors are lot better lit and more cheerful than back in the day. Is the foundry lab still in Building 35?

[@AcornToArabella]

I’m a nerd for hand-lettering, and heard from a professor that the person who’s done it for years and years will come with vinyl in the same “font” as the hand-lettered, and if you say “oh gosh I thought maybe you were still doing hand-lettered…” THEY WILL. Wonderful.

[@_noname617]

Welcome to my neighborhood - next time you'll have to see The Herreshoff Collection, one of the most important yacht design collections in the world at MIT.