: Hi MIke,

: The book says to make all the joints with brass screws.
: I didn't like that trick & that's why I was considering doing it with
: epoxy.

: I now realise the epoxy will not add significant structural strength, it will
: only add strength to the joints.

: how did you built your frame ?

: what did you use to hold it together ?

: Erez

Hey Erez

I'm going to use glue and dowels. Why not? Glue was made for wood and it's the best that has been made over the years. I have to look at the antiques around the world and those with glued and doweled joints are pretty much in tact, with the exception of those that used the animal hide and other glues. I will use screws to hold the joints when they are put together, and when the glue in the joint dries enough to take them out, they're out, and the hole gets drilled out for a 1/4" dowel. Sand it off and it gives it a nice look, as if you were going to be looking at it through the skin. No chance of the dowel backing out and cutting the skin. Since most of the folks I've heard so far are sealing the wood, be it epoxy or varathane, the glue is protected from water. And, the dowel is just as strong as any wood around it and the glue is generally stronger than either. That and the dowel is lighter than a screw.
In Putz book I believe he even states that the screws were used because they didn't have things like the glue and epoxy that we have today. Screws were the safest and strongest thing they had at the time. And, as most always is the case, a lot faster to build with.

I don't see any reason why you couldn't build the joints with epoxy. If you do, then you should be able to get away with useing just an oil for sealing your frame. Much lighter than epoxying the whole frame.

As for adding structural strength to the frame, I don't think you need it. They have been built and used over the years and worked out fine. In the book doesn't it say that they just sealed with oil and a fungiside or something like that. My book is out in the garage and it's too late to mess with it. But my point is, they were only interested in sealing against water damage and rot from fungus. I probably should re-read before stating any of that. ??

As for puncture resistance, well, that's one of the trade-offs you get for the lighter weight and less expense.

Rehd