Building

[Crabman]

Hi .Iam going to build some boards for me family .What is the best stringer to use and why?

[tomcat360]

search swaylocks. put in stringer material.

but search, don't post.

I would say basswood if you can get your hands on it and want to plane it down to thickness. For polyurethane that is.

I've done PVC for EPS, it's not too bad, just different.

What foam are you using? Resin? Shapes? etc....

[Crabman]

Using styro for the core ,epoxy resin and most probably use braid cloth so I can do the top and bottom in one hit under vacuum . I want boards with width and volume ,hence build . As to shapes I have some ideas . Then I want to do a hollow wood board through the winter .

[tomcat360]

Yeah, I'd say PVC, but look around on swaylocks, good stuff out there.

Did you build the vacuum bag or buy it?

[Crabman]

I built the bag and its re usable . Used butyl tape for sealant and x 2 2mtr x 1 mtr pieces of fabric . Works a treat . I have to sort out how to hot wire the core next ,car battery and wood frame with wire tensioned across . Not sure what wire to use yet?

[tomcat360]

It seems that Ni-chrome wires are the most popular. Also hear of people using guitar strings if they are in a pinch. (unwound strings, there fore e, B, G on an electric)

What kind of pump are you using? I've been meaning to build my self a new vacuum bag but haven't had any good ideas on a pumping mechanism.

[Crabman]

Thanks for the wire hints . Pump I use a Rieschle .There brilliant .Have had it for six years now without any problems .