"Self-jigging" flatpack kit for metal hulls

Self Jigging - Stitch and Weld - Vad De Stadt Quick Assembly

[This link is gone. It is now only archived here:http://web.archive.org/web/20100206132002/http://www.stadtdesign.com/English/history11.htm]
this is almost identical to the original link on the current website http://www.stadtdesign.com/info/assembly

Indeed. After reading up on the Van De Stadt, quick assembly method book it is not at all self jigging framing. One builds a boat upright, welds together massive jigs that support the boat, uses shims to get the hull skin/sheets perfect and welds um up. Then one adds framing, stringers, bulkheads. Although the stitch and weld system is incorporated there is nothing self jigging about this method.

The Van De Stand assembly description has some nice ideas for jigging and measuring. In a few instances the author concisely describes a jig or measuring technique in a couples sentences and an image that Thomas Colvin spends a few pages on (not that this little pdf file compares to Colvin's book). Good distillation. But sadly not at all a self jigging system.

It did not seem faster than normal construction to me. It also required just as much jigging and measuring. If someone has used the van de stadt method and would like to express your impressions that would be nice.

 

self jigging

I am still very interested in leads on self jigging techniques and designs, experiences or feedback.

If i am going to convert a design should i limit my choices to transverse ring framing or some other?