It seems several people are installing woodwork to the exterior of their boats this winter/spring. This got me to thinking about another process that many people make serious mistakes doing. This is the installing and securing of bungs over fasteners. Rather than just giving you the answer to how I do it I would like everyone to consider the situation. There are 2 major considerations for this process. The first is to seal the bung into the piece such as to avoid moisture getting in and blistering the varnish around the bung. The second is the often forgotten situation where virtually everything on a boat will some day need to be removed. So what material can be used that seal the bung, but do not make it (the bung) impossible to remove without damaging the piece installed? Oh, and since most woodwork is varnished, it should be clear and definitely contain absolutely 0% silicone.
Actually, there are 2 materials that I use, and there may be more that are acceptable.
Securing Bungs
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- Master of the Arcane
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Securing Bungs
Dave Finnegan
builder of Spindrift 9N #521 'Wingë'
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Gresham’s Law of information: Bad information drives out good. No matter how long ago a correction for a particular error may have appeared in print or online, it never seems to catch up with the ever-widening distribution of the error.
builder of Spindrift 9N #521 'Wingë'
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Gresham’s Law of information: Bad information drives out good. No matter how long ago a correction for a particular error may have appeared in print or online, it never seems to catch up with the ever-widening distribution of the error.
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- Almost a Finish Carpenter
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Re: Securing Bungs
ok, I'll bite.Actually, there are 2 materials that I use, and there may be more that are acceptable
Pete
"Alli-Ann" Triton #53
Edgewood Yacht Club
Basic research is what I am doing when I don't know what I am doing.
Wernher von Braun
Edgewood Yacht Club
Basic research is what I am doing when I don't know what I am doing.
Wernher von Braun
Re: Securing Bungs
Such a short, simple sentence at the root of so much frustrating, knuckle-busting, various-plot-inducing, tool-buying, un-necessary (if only this concept had been followed) work on boats!Hirilondë wrote:... the often forgotten situation where virtually everything on a boat will some day need to be removed.
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- Master of the Arcane
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Re: Securing Bungs
Either that or shellac, both work great. You might even want to let some thicken up a little so that it isn't so runny. Or even better, use the left overs from an old job. I like shellac for interior work as it cleans up with alcohol which is just more forgiving to have and use inside. For exterior the varnish is probably better.Duncan wrote:I'm planning on using varnish, unless you say different
If the bung fits well (snug) then adhesion is not an issue, merely sealing the joint. And now you can dig the bung out with a small screw driver when the time comes that you (whoever) needs to some day.
Dave Finnegan
builder of Spindrift 9N #521 'Wingë'
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Gresham’s Law of information: Bad information drives out good. No matter how long ago a correction for a particular error may have appeared in print or online, it never seems to catch up with the ever-widening distribution of the error.
builder of Spindrift 9N #521 'Wingë'
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gresham’s Law of information: Bad information drives out good. No matter how long ago a correction for a particular error may have appeared in print or online, it never seems to catch up with the ever-widening distribution of the error.
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- Candidate for Boat-Obsession Medal
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Re: Securing Bungs
"And now you can dig the bung out with a small screw driver when the time comes"
Ah, yes. The screwdriver! Better known as the 'Do-all' tool - - - Frequently used for just about any purpose except driving screws. - - - Certainly the most abused tool in the tool box.
Ah, yes. The screwdriver! Better known as the 'Do-all' tool - - - Frequently used for just about any purpose except driving screws. - - - Certainly the most abused tool in the tool box.
I am: Bob of Wight.
s/v 'Ros Na Cosquin'
a 'Passage - 24'
There are good ships, there are wood ships, and these ships sail the sea
But the best ship, is friendship and may this always be! ... ... ... A prayer from Ireland.
s/v 'Ros Na Cosquin'
a 'Passage - 24'
There are good ships, there are wood ships, and these ships sail the sea
But the best ship, is friendship and may this always be! ... ... ... A prayer from Ireland.
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- Master of the Arcane
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- Boat Name: Hirilondë
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Re: Securing Bungs
In my case I have made a special tool for removing bungs out of a piece of tool steel with a teak handle. Most people however don't have one of these. Besides, no one uses slotted screws any more anyway. ;>)Skipper599 wrote: Ah, yes. The screwdriver! Better known as the 'Do-all' tool - - - Frequently used for just about any purpose except driving screws. - - - Certainly the most abused tool in the tool box.
Dave Finnegan
builder of Spindrift 9N #521 'Wingë'
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gresham’s Law of information: Bad information drives out good. No matter how long ago a correction for a particular error may have appeared in print or online, it never seems to catch up with the ever-widening distribution of the error.
builder of Spindrift 9N #521 'Wingë'
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gresham’s Law of information: Bad information drives out good. No matter how long ago a correction for a particular error may have appeared in print or online, it never seems to catch up with the ever-widening distribution of the error.
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- Deck Grunge Scrubber
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Re: Securing Bungs
I've had good luck removing bungs by driving in a self taping screw (by hand) in the center of the bung. The new screw only goes in as far as it takes to hit the old screw, stops advancing, and lifts the bung right out. Often it pops out in one piece. Quick and easy.
Jon Roberts
Spirit '83 Ericson 35-III
Former owner of VSOP '69 Pearson Coaster #115
South Portland, ME
Spirit '83 Ericson 35-III
Former owner of VSOP '69 Pearson Coaster #115
South Portland, ME
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- Skilled Systems Installer
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Re: Securing Bungs
I would use the same varnish I was using to varnish whatever it is I was varnishing.
As for removing them, I find a sheetrock or deck screw driven right into the middle of the bung works great to tear out the old one - assuming nobody put it in with some amazing, super-dooper techno gloop that holds with the power of the gravitational field of a neutron star.
As for removing them, I find a sheetrock or deck screw driven right into the middle of the bung works great to tear out the old one - assuming nobody put it in with some amazing, super-dooper techno gloop that holds with the power of the gravitational field of a neutron star.
Bill T.
Richmond, VA
"All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible." - T E Lawrence
Richmond, VA
"All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible." - T E Lawrence