Okay, I have the 10 inch table saw (for ripping boards), I have a jig saw (for cutting forms), I have a router (to bead and cove or to shape gunwales), I have sanders (belt, orbital, finishing), I have a stapler (if I want to do that), I have various clamps and vises ( if I do not want to staple, I have a drill ( to screw the strongback and forms together)...

What other if any tools would be essential? Let me know what you think?

When building my boat I found that I could never have enough clamps.

And a good working table is a must. It also must be at the right height, so you are not bending over your work so much and putting strain on your lower back.

Hey All,
I second the never enough clamps part. Make sure you have plenty of c-clamps.
I am building mine with bead and cove.
I have heard from others that they just bevel the strips as they go.
Anybody have experience doing that?
Also, time is the one thing I don't have enough of!
Canoedog

Looking back at my notes, here are a few tool additions:

A couple of hand planes in different sizes.

My Craftsman 3D sander came in real handy.

Bungee cords - I used them to squeeze the strips together between the forms and staples.

A coping saw and razor knife to stitch the ends together.

A lazer level - helped tremendously in tuning the form.

Painters tape - I used it on all the forms to help keep the glue from sticking to the forms.

You need the most important tool, knowledge. Go to northwestcanoe.com then into build my canoe then into cedarstrip canoe, scroll down to bottom right. You will find NWC builders notes, this is a FREE download, 44 pages of the "bible". This IS invaluable. I have referenced mine over and over again with each boat. EVERYTHING you need to know is in this 44 pages.
Better yet take one of their classes if you have time, also priceless.

cedarboy

Again not affiliated just a very happy customer.

I have heard of a Japanese saw that is essential for individual cuts inside the "football". Also, I will be ripping my strips with a handheld circular saw settup on a jig table for strips. Check out the forum at www.bearmountainboats.com for other good info too

I had two staple guns each loaded with different size staples - one to go through the strip to attach to the form, and the other to hold two strips together but not long enough to penetrate the strips.

I also had an old fashion can opener, the kind that makes the "V" hole for pouring, and blunted the point a bit. This was a great tool for removing staples.

An often over looked tool is a "worry chair". It can be any type of chair that you like, as long as it stays in your work place and is comfortable to you. Something old with character is usually best. This is for sitting on when you're admiring your work, contemplating your next step, or for simply worrying.

Extremely sharp, great quailty sissors for cutting fiberglass.

Old clothes to wear when you get to expoxying. Cardboard for the floor.

Lots of mixing cans of various sizes. Measuring pumps on epoxy and hardener. Stir sticks. Some kind of repirator.

I guess not essential, but saw a strap system on BM for clamping strips to station moulds without staples. Interesting.

Bannock in MY shop that's referred to as the GROANING chair. Occasionally used for thinking or just parking my butt. But there have certainly been a couple times I sat down in the groaning chair and said "how the h3ll am I gonna fix THIS?!"

Been there done that got the tee shirt.

Cedarboy,
Is that the same 44 page Art of building the cedar strip canoe that you can purchase with the plans? or something different? I am just wondering if I need to purchase that or just the plans>

Bruce

Bruce the download looks remarkably similar to the copy that I received with my 38 Special plans. I would go ahead and download it. It has very good foundational stuff in it.

ArkMan
Yes it is the same info. I got this book with my first set of plans.
I have made notes all over mine. I love my 38, I hope you do too.
CB

Be warned, building can get into your blood. Just finished a boat and I already have at least 2 or 3 I want to build. Best piece of advice is have fun and be proud of what you accomplish.

And to be clear, you are NOT buying the book, just their notes on the principles in that book. I thought I was getting the book, not a 15 dollar copy of some notes. still a useful binder though.

Bud

I have something to add to that list. A CLOCK IN THE SHOP. Me and my cousin traced(well, he did most of the tracing)and cut the forms for my first boat yesterday. Man the time flew by. Finished them about 10:30 last night. Now on to planking. I can hardly wait. Must...get...clock...for...shop.