installing stringers

[sportrider]

when installing stringers is it acceptable to use liquid nails or some other construction adhesive to attach the stringers to the hull?

 

[GWPSR]

Many of us have used PL to bed stringers. Be aware that these adhesives outgas for 72 hours, so you must leave them undisturbed for a few days before you can lay down fillets prior to tabbing and glassing. For me, the length of the stringers and bulkheads made PL much more affordable than the equivalent amount of PB.

The Orthodox church will now weigh in on the evils of PL and advocate their One True PB doctrine... :tongue:

 

[idonthaveaname]

I use only homemade PB. I don't like PL for stringers. Afterwards I wrap in glass and coat generously. Would a manufacturer use PL?

 

[sphelps]

+1 on the pb . Virtually trouble free ...

 

[Woodonglass]

Yup you can use PL for bedding stringers. Yup, it can take up to 72 hrs for outgassing to stop, OR longer! It can create bonding issues with the Poly and or Epoxy resins. Yup, it is more economical. Yup, it will get the job done but it takes a lot longer to accomplish it. If you don't mind waiting and taking the care to not smear it all over so glass will adhere properly then use it. For the extra $50 bucks in costs that it takes to bed em using PB...personally I'd use the PB but everbody knows I'm just an so you might wanna do what YOU thinks best!!!

 

[Arawak]

when installing stringers is it acceptable to use liquid nails or some other construction adhesive to attach the stringers to the hull?

I think the worry would be creating hard sports. Have a look here

PB is pretty easy and relatively cheap.

 

[zool]

Would a manufacturer use PL?

More than not, the factory doesn't bed them at all, they preconstruct the grid, lower it into the molded hull, and throw roven and poly over it all...

 

[Woodonglass]

I think the worry would be creating hard sports. Have a look here

PB is pretty easy and relatively cheap.

PL would not create hard spots. It's just as effective as PB in that arena. It's just more messy a problematic with filleting and tabbing.

 

[undone]

More than not, the factory doesn't bed them at all, they preconstruct the grid, lower it into the molded hull, and throw roven and poly over it all...

Like he said, very few small boats get any kind of bedding, even larger ones may just have the stringer spaced off the hull slightly so only the glass comes in contact with the hull. What it comes down to is it really doesn't make much of a difference in how it's done on small boats.

 

[T748]

Like he said, very few small boats get any kind of bedding, even larger ones may just have the stringer spaced off the hull slightly so only the glass comes in contact with the hull. What it comes down to is it really doesn't make much of a difference in how it's done on small boats.

Mine did not come bedded. I'm glad they didn't. It makes them easy to replace. Cut the fiberglass off of the top of the stringer and it pulls up and out. I'm still trying to decide on PB or PL. With the stringers being 8' to 10' long, I'm concerned about getting the epoxy down before it kicks. With PL, are there no worries on installation time?-Tom.

 

[nurseman]

Not really any worries with time using PB. Whether you use PB or PL, the method of getting the adhesive under the stringer is the same, you need to use some sort of bracing or support that holds the stringers in place (something like this)

with 1/4 spacers under the stringers.
You then use a pastry bag or a ziplock bag with a corner cut off to "squirt" the PB under the stringer. My stringers were almost 12' long, and I didn't run out of time at all. Squirt a bag in, do the filleting right away, and then mix more and continue on. The PB is super strong, and you will not have to wait 3 days to continue with the work.
The big disadvantage to PL is the time waiting for the outgassing to stop, and as Wood said, the potential adhesion issues. PB is the better way IMO, but like GWPSR said, tons of guys use PL with good results.