# deck beam: laminate or saw?

**URL:** <https://forum.clcboats.com/t/deck-beam-laminate-or-saw/35487>\
**Category:** Builder's Forum\
**Created:** [July 18, 2009, 5:33am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/deck-beam-laminate-or-saw/35487 "2009-07-18T05:33:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Hoogenboom\_Mariska](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/bb73d2/32.png) [@Hoogenboom\_Mariska](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Hoogenboom_Mariska)\
**Post date:** [July 18, 2009, 5:33am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/deck-beam-laminate-or-saw/35487/1 "2009-07-18T05:33:31Z")

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Hi,

As I don't look forward to the job of laminating deck beams, I wonder if someone tried to saw them (succesfully) with the correct radius instead. What is the advantage of laminating over sawing the beams? Sawing seems much simpler to me.

&nbsp;Mariska.&nbsp;

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**Author:** ![Laszlo\_Morocz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c68b51/32.png) [@Laszlo\_Morocz](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Laszlo_Morocz)\
**Post date:** [July 18, 2009, 7:14am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/deck-beam-laminate-or-saw/35487/2 "2009-07-18T07:14:22Z")

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Mariska,

Sawn beams are provided in all the kits, so no problem doing it that way.

Laminated can be stronger and it lets you use more conveniently sized pieces of wood, especially if you're laminating from solid wood (as opposed to plywood).

All that said, for the kind of boats built here sawn is plenty strong, so go with whichever method you like better.

Have fun,

Laszlo

&nbsp;

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**Author:** ![Hoogenboom\_Mariska](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/bb73d2/32.png) [@Hoogenboom\_Mariska](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Hoogenboom_Mariska)\
**Post date:** [July 18, 2009, 8:06am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/deck-beam-laminate-or-saw/35487/3 "2009-07-18T08:06:24Z")

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ok, thanks a lot!

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**Author:** ![Chris\_Jacobson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@Chris\_Jacobson](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Chris_Jacobson)\
**Post date:** [July 18, 2009, 3:54pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/deck-beam-laminate-or-saw/35487/4 "2009-07-18T15:54:32Z")

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You can also router them for a cleaner cut… ![](http://farm1.static.flickr.com/161/410547585_d95b0b7e19.jpg)

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**Author:** ![Daniel\_Robertson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eada6e/32.png) [@Daniel\_Robertson](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Daniel_Robertson)\
**Post date:** [July 20, 2009, 1:10pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/deck-beam-laminate-or-saw/35487/5 "2009-07-20T13:10:18Z")

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I made my laminated deck beams this weekend.&nbsp; The jig was fast and simple to make. I used a string and a pencil to get my 15 radius for the jig.&nbsp; I then cut it out with a jig saw.&nbsp;I then used&nbsp; a hole saw to&nbsp;cut the holes to allow for clamping. It only took about 45 minutes to&nbsp;make the jig.&nbsp; I took&nbsp;left over Okume and ripped it down on the table&nbsp;saw 1-1/2" wide.&nbsp; I slathered the pieces&nbsp;up with&nbsp;epoxy&nbsp;thickened with cab-o-sil, wrapped it up in plastic and&nbsp;12 hours(Overnight) later the epoxy was dry.&nbsp; I now have the deck beam installed. I recommend putting clear tape on the top and bottom piece to avoid from haveing too much epoxy to sand off. I had to use a cabinet scraper and my sander to get it smooth.&nbsp;Make it easy on yourself and use the clear tape. The jig was made from 3/4 inch ply. I just centered the 1-1/2" strips and clamped them.&nbsp; Fitting the deck beam took some time because I am so picky. I needed a perfect fit.