Custom Kayak Seat, Carved with a Grinder. S4-E34

A right angle grinder isn't the tool you'd expect for shaping a kayak seat, but it's exactly what gets this one right. In this episode of the Little Auk build, I'm shaping a custom seat and backrest carved from a wood blank combining LVL beam with walnut accents. Rather than starting from a pre-made pattern, I show how I used a proportional scale to enlarge the original plans up to full size, so the seat shape matches the exact proportions the designer intended before any wood gets cut. From there, it's all about roughing out the form and carving it down with a right angle grinder, a tool that lets me remove material fast while still following the curves the body actually needs. I walk through why LVL makes a strong, stable core for a load-bearing seat, and how the walnut accents add both visual contrast and a bit of extra durability at the edges. If you're building your own strip or hybrid kayak and want a seat that's shaped for comfort rather than just bolted on as an afterthought, this one's for you. “If you’re going to make it, make it beautiful.” Bob Emser As an advocate for backyard boat builders I offer a free 30 minute chat about your project. If you'd like to schedule a chat here is a link. https://calendly.com/artofboatbuilding/boat-building More from The Art of Boatbuilding https://theartofboatbuilding.com/ Subscribe for more Boat Building from The Art of Boat Building: https://www.youtube.com/user/bobemser/featured?sub_confirmation=1 Share this video with a friend: https://youtu.be/QMdo6R3dY-0 How to support The Art of Boat Building. Purchase Official Merchandise here: https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-art-of-boat-building/ Become a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/theartofboatbuilding Watch next Recommended Playlists Building Kayaks https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNEOO85GTL9c43ExyzNDgq3z8qCcFvwWI Haven 12 1/2 Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNEOO85GTL9esMHaAcxR-C_rUz_HsWw-A Carvel Planking Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNEOO85GTL9c7j90pis6HEBCzfdjPMjty Tool Making: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNEOO85GTL9dybkv4vs5lvflq1b47XPpz Let’s connect: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobEmserAmericanSculptor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofboatbuilding/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobemser/ Bob Emser American Sculptor: https://www.bobemser.com #theartofboatbuilding #artofboatbuilding #makeitbeautiful#woodenboatbuilding #buildingasmallboat #buildingasailboat #shipwright #toolbuilding #Haven12 #herreshoff #shipwright#BoatBuilding #WoodDuck12 #KayakBuilding #Woodworking #DIYBoats #WoodenKayak #MarineCraft #BoatMaker #Craftsmanship #WoodworkingProjects #BoatBuildingTutorial