I agree, but prefer to do most of my "tinkering" in the garden. Some of us, myself for example, just don't have much talent with things mechanical.

Growing things have a "mind" of their own, so unless you REALLY screw it up there is always a good result.

Pete,
I would love to be good in the garden but I just don't have the patience. When I do some work I want to see the results of my labour. In the garden you do the work and then have to wait for the results and I can't stand that wait.

I still have ambitions of having a nice garden but for me it would be a major project.

Regars,
Phill

Patience! I grow bonsai <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> How's that for patience. And it probably explains why I don't mind racing when it's very light. Like a game of chess to me,.....but then I don't play a lot of chess.

Bern,
I also like sailing when it is light, real light and shifty.
It is great fun and just another aspect of the sport.
However I'd draw the line at Bonsai- That is way beyond me.
Regards,
Phill

You guys don't understand! Maintaining a lawn in Southwest Florida is an action sport! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> It's amazing how quickly things grow here.

Chess and light air sailing allow me to slow down a bit! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

btw- Should we invent a chess style board game to demonstrate rules and tactics or has it been done?

There are several board games for sailing. The term "Puff Card" came from the board game Regatta designed in 1967.

There is a really nice Computer Sailing Game called Virtual Skipper, but this thread is about patience and this game is pretty active.

I found 2 new ways for making carbon tubes or poles this winter.

First, use a paper tube as a mold. I found some mailing tubes that are made by spiral warping paper tape. Pull on the end of the tape on the inside of the tube and it just unwraps from the inside. Some tubes used by carpet and fabric companies are made the same way. You have to be real careful to protect the paper tube from epoxy. I double wrap it in wax paper.

The second method is to use a florescent tube protector as a mold and just leave it in place. The tube protector is a thin light plastic tube used to protect florescent tubes in industrial environments. Do not vacuum bag the first layer, the plastic tube will collapse. Apply the first layer of carbon by hand using a light touch. Use peel ply to soak up the excess epoxy.You can vacuum bag all layers after that.

I have tried the heat shrink tape. It's ok for small tubes (1" dia x 2 ft long) and a lot of work for anything bigger.

I use 4 inch wide nylon tape for peel ply. I spiral wrap the tube pulling the tape very tight. Then apply the breather cloth and vacuum bag it. I found the nylon tape with finished edges to give the smoothest finish. It is also really cheap at the discount fabric stores.

Just for reference I bought my vacuum pump of eBay for $75. It has a tank, gauge and adjustable pressure switch. Best investment I ever made.

Carl,
That is excellent value on the vacuum pump.

I like the paper tube method, I didn't realise you could unravel them from the inside.

Another variation of your method could be to cut a slot down a length of plastic conduit. Insert a strip of material like aluminium into the slot with some spacers between in and the inside wall to hold its edge flush with the perimeter of the tube.
Put a layer of packing tape over the packed slot to seal.
When the layup cures pull out the spacers and the strip of aluminium which will allow the plastic tube to reduce dia and come out. There is a bit of setup but may pay off if you are likely to use it again.
Just another way of skinning the same cat.
Regards,
Phill