Stringers - Doug Fir or LVL?
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: Repairs and Maintenance
Forum Name: Boat Maintenance
Forum Discription: Discuss maintenance of your Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24795
Printed Date: November-19-2024 at 9:46am
Topic: Stringers - Doug Fir or LVL?
Posted By: Cuda Chris
Subject: Stringers - Doug Fir or LVL?
Date Posted: February-05-2012 at 5:30pm
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Can anyone weigh in on this? I removed the last bit of foam from my boat yesterday and am getting ready to do the stringers. I have been thinking of using LVL's instead of the doug fir.
Thanks! |
Replies:
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: February-05-2012 at 5:44pm
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Chris,
There is a thread on a LVL stringer job when the member could not find the Doug Fir in his area. It looked to me that it turned out fantastic. Just watch out for the thickness difference. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: Cuda Chris
Date Posted: February-05-2012 at 5:46pm
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Great thanks, ill look into it! ------------- 1968 Barracuda Super Sport |
Posted By: bbishop1974
Date Posted: February-05-2012 at 6:02pm
| cuda,its a difficult choice.for me the deciding factor was upon disassembly,everything was very wet.anything that was made out of ply was mush,doug fir peices were pretty decent considering how wet they were.my concearn was if the lvl were to get wet the rot would take hold quickly.i realize their are several factors to consider here,just my 2 cents |
Posted By: Cuda Chris
Date Posted: February-05-2012 at 6:34pm
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Thanks for the tip. I will most likely replace everything the way it came from the factory. At some point I'll need to post some photos of my project.
Thanks for the input! |
Posted By: Cuda Chris
Date Posted: February-05-2012 at 6:41pm
I came across this system on Jamestown Distributors and would be interested if anyone has installed something like it.
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Posted By: 65 'cuda
Date Posted: February-06-2012 at 10:45am
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Use the fir! ------------- Gary http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=941" rel="nofollow - 1965 Barracuda SS |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: February-06-2012 at 11:10am
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If you use CPES and epoxy (recommended), then I would not worry about water on ether the solid Fir or LVL. Just make sure that any holes drilled into the stringer system after layup get CPES'd and then 5200'd. (engine mount lags) If you go no foam and use ply for the sole, then it should be bonded with thickened epoxy and no screws. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: Cuda Chris
Date Posted: February-06-2012 at 9:58pm
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I have not yet made a decision on fir vs lvl. I prefer the stability of the lvl over fir. Called a few places around town and can not locate clear fir, lvl's are easily accessible and less expensive tan fir. I imagine a healthy treatment of cpes will be required.
Thanks for the input and I'll be posting pics soon! ------------- 1968 Barracuda Super Sport |
Posted By: Big Pappa
Date Posted: February-15-2012 at 2:00am
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I am using LVL in my build and I think it is going to work great. I was wondering about the same thing bbishop1974 so I took a piece of the scrap LVL and put it in my driveway directly under one of my downspouts. It has been sitting there for over a year now and it is still solid. I know it has had time to dry out as well but it has been sitting outside every day the whole time. It is discolored but still as strong as the day I put it out there as far as I can tell.
With the LVL CPESed and covered in multiple layers Epoxy and glass I think it will be just as good and last just as long as Doug Fir. If you have not found it yet you can see my stringer thread in my signature. Kris ------------- http://bit.ly/Mghpvx" rel="nofollow - Big Pappa http://bit.ly/L4zRW0" rel="nofollow - My Project |
Posted By: bbishop1974
Date Posted: February-18-2012 at 11:17am
| kris[big papa],thanks for your great documentation.its definitly a hard choice and your a pioneer.you have to give us a review when done |
Posted By: Big Pappa
Date Posted: February-18-2012 at 4:29pm
Will do!!  ------------- http://bit.ly/Mghpvx" rel="nofollow - Big Pappa http://bit.ly/L4zRW0" rel="nofollow - My Project |
bbishop1974 wrote:Posted By: Cuda Chris
Date Posted: February-19-2012 at 4:08pm
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Big Pappa,
I think I am going to head down the LVL path. The structural characteristics of LVL products are superior to solid timbers and more dimensionally stable. What brand of resin did you use for your project? West systems is very pricey and I have to believe there is someone out there making the same stuff and a slightly lower price point. Cheers |
Posted By: OverMyHead
Date Posted: February-19-2012 at 4:13pm
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What is the weight difference between LVL and fir? seems about double at a construction site. ------------- For thousands of years men have felt the irresistible urge to go to sea, and many of them died. Things got better after they invented boats. 1987 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: Big Pappa
Date Posted: February-19-2012 at 5:08pm
I ordered all of my glass, foam and resin from US Composites, even with shipping included it was the best price I could find on epoxy. ------------- http://bit.ly/Mghpvx" rel="nofollow - Big Pappa http://bit.ly/L4zRW0" rel="nofollow - My Project |
Posted By: Big Pappa
Date Posted: February-19-2012 at 5:14pm
I have not seen a weight on a new Fir stringer, but my LVL stringer after being cut out and still in bare wood weighed 27 pounds.  ------------- http://bit.ly/Mghpvx" rel="nofollow - Big Pappa http://bit.ly/L4zRW0" rel="nofollow - My Project |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: February-19-2012 at 5:30pm
Dave, You may be lifting Hem Fir and then the LVL which is Doug Fir! Hem is lighter. The only additional weight in a LVL is the glue. It's not much. Also, don't forget the LVL is 1/4" thicker than 2x stock. They were smart in doing that since it eliminates the 1/2" piece of ply between the typical "stick" made header. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: juniorwoody
Date Posted: February-20-2012 at 12:20pm
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Trying to remain open minded here and with all due respects to everyone's good intentions, my only real concern with the laminated beam (laminated veneer lumber)would be where the bolts enter between the veneers. Will the glue prevent a separation of the veneers? In most other respects the LVL may be superior to fir, weight not withstanding. Time shall be the only true test of the bolt holding characteristics.
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Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: February-20-2012 at 12:27pm
You can split a solid open too if the proper pilot and clearance hole aren't drilled. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: February-20-2012 at 12:30pm
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Eric has posted a real nice,imo,way to solve that problem but I can't find it.Maybe he can repost it. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: juniorwoody
Date Posted: February-20-2012 at 12:55pm
| No intention of debating the proper preparation of the hole prior to installation just pointing out a possible weak spot even with the correct piloting. I am curious as to the solution Eric points out though Pete. |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: February-20-2012 at 1:58pm
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Jack,
Eric has mentioned a method he has used whenthe stringer strength in in question or when you use a composite. He will drill a horizontal hole in the stringer. Then in the hole insert a piece of round stock steel with a drilled and tapped hole in it. Then from the top run a bolt down into it. Unless very carefully done, this really opens up the stringer to potential water. In the 40+ years I've been around wood boats, I have never seen a stringer split from a lag bolt. How's your project going? ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: juniorwoody
Date Posted: February-20-2012 at 5:17pm
| I think the LVL will be just fine. Resins and adhesives in the waterproof category have come a long way in my days. I do tend to have an inherent distrust of them which may be unsanctioned. As for our progress on the 1950 Utility, Pete, the hull materials are partially removed and there have been many interruptions. There needs to be some plywood repairs and this represents my next challenge. Will pick up the thread as soon as I return from FL and get into gear. |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: February-20-2012 at 5:51pm
Found it and always thought it was a good way to avoid the problems of threading into wood
 ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |