This summer Katie (my daughter) and I began building a boat. It was, and is, a project that will stretch my abilities. We are building a cedar strip Rangeley Lakes boat. Katie has since gone back to college and I am trying to get some more done before the weather is too cold to work on it.
Along the way I have had to acquire and learn how to use various tools. Making strips 3/4 of an inch wide and 1/4 of an inch thick forces you to become fairly proficient with some tools. In the process I have learned to use a surface planer and a router table. What man doesn’t like using power tools?!
Part of the boat building process required the shaping of a “King plank”. This is a 5/16 inch thick board that spans the length of the bottom of the boat. Both ends are narrow – approximately 1 1/2 inches. It is widest in the middle at roughly 3 1/2 inches. The shaping process could not be done with power tools because the western red cedar tends to splinter. The best method for shaping this plank was the block plane.
What really has surprised me is a tool I have come to really enjoy using. The forms the boat is made on have to be shaped so the strips will lie flat across it as the boat curves. The stem (front) must be shaped to accept the strips and the angle changes and becomes sharper as you near the bottom of the boat. In addition, the Transom (back) must be shaped as well. The block plane simply did not work for this task. I tried a sure form, but it did not work all that well either. The tool that worked best is the oldest tool I own.
The materials I am sourcing for the project recommended a number of tools. One was a rasp. While on vacation this summer I found one in an antique shop. This antique tool works wonderfully at shaping wood. In case you are not familiar with the tool it looks like a long file with a course and smoother side. It takes a great deal of energy and patience, but the results that comes from this old tool are well worth it.
So often we want the new, the more “advanced” tool to get the job done. Don’t get me wrong. I love new technology, gadgets, ideas – but occasionally old school is better. It has proved true in our boat building adventure… and I think it is also true in growing people in their faith. So often, we want the latest idea or program. We look for the “right” materials. We offer “classes” to accomplish the goal in “X” number of weeks. And, I find myself thinking about that rasp…
Instead of the high powered tools of mentoring/disciple making, I am ready to go “old school”. Perhaps the best way to grow people spiritually is to target something very basic. The most basic element of spiritual development is the ability to know, listen, and, follow the voice of the Spirit. Frankly, what could be more important to pass on?
So, I plan on continuing to enjoy using the Rasp – in boat building, and in growing others in their faith.
JT
