shaping

[miamisurfer]

I want to start shaping. I was wondering if I should use EPS to start or just PU? I hear that RR epoxy resin is easy to use so I kind of want to use EPS. I also don't have any access to electric tools because I'm only 13 so what should I use? I want the easiest stuff to use and I don't want to spend too much money.

Thanks

[tomcat360]

Well if you want to do it cheap, then this is probably not a good project. Expect 500 (if you are lucky) to get up and running. 400 if lots of people owe you favors.

You can use RR on PU. It will just be more expensive. Also, RR is not necessarily easier, just different.

Don't really need power tools, you can do everything with hand planes, surforms, sanding blocks, etc.

Go do some reading on swaylocks, and really evaluate if it's something you want to do. I recommend doing some smaller projects, involving the shaping of curves and some glassing (longboard skateboards are good for this, plus they're pretty fun). And if you do enough skateboards, you can probably make some money and put it towards you surfboards. That's pretty much what I did. I got somewhat lucky and started making them about a month before it became a "fad", which kinda pisses me off, yet made things a bit easier for me.

Just see what you are getting into. It's messy, toxic, and horrible for your health, plus its a bunch of money and you aren't guarnteed a quality product. But if it's something you really wanna do, then do some good reading, and start saving up!

[kitesurfer]

Also what tom forgot to mention is that it's as addictive as surfing itself! You become a recluse becasue when ur not surfing ur shaping. Still i'm happy being a recluse. Now where did i put that planer?

[tomcat360]

Oh yeah it's addicting!

And inside the shaping room helps you out in the water! Cross stepping to the nose with a rail band tool in your hand is just the same as cross stepping to the nose without one.

[jethrodog]

Google surfboard shaping. After hearing and reading about those on this forum who shape I decided to check out what they were doing just for info. I found tons of sites. Some of the sites I found explained the shaping, some gave explicit step-by-step instructions on how, they listed tools you need or should get, what materials to use, explained the lingo, etc. Very informative and helpful. I think this, and a good book from your local library, will answer most of your "should/could I do it?" questions, then once you are informed you can dive into it.
Have fun. I think if I had the time I might try it, but it will have to be later. Too busy.....

[sal]

Cross stepping to the nose with a rail band tool in your hand is just the same as cross stepping to the nose without one.

LMAO TomCat!

[kitesurfer]

So like doing a head dip could be akin to pushing the profile back down the board???

[tomcat360]

So like doing a head dip could be akin to pushing the profile back down the board???

......exactly! I think...

one site I think I'm gonna have to say you might want to avoid, is surfersteve. I thought it was great....but after being taught correctly....it's crazy talk. You could make a board from that site, but I think it will eventually hamper the learning curve.

[jethrodog]

What's wrong with Surfersteve? I must admit I saved the page on my favorites, but I haven't even looked at it yet. Thanks for the headsup though. I guess I need some grains of salt when I read his stuff?

[miamisurfer]

I've shaped small boards and fishing lures out of balsa they came out pretty good. I think what I might do is have a shaper teach me over the summer. But I'm not sure if I can wait that long, I really want to start. I will probably by one of those second quality foams to just see how good I am, there only about $50 so I won't lose much if I mess up.

[tomcat360]

Some of his stuff is just kinda out there....he doesn't really encourage the use of proper rail bands, instead just tells you to sand until it looks good. Also, a lot of the stuff seems a bit like a desperate measure to make it cheaper, but will ultimately make it worse. Like the notion to do your templates out of roofing paper, which will flex and stuff, plus leave crap on your board. You should be doing them out of masonite and spending a long time on them. He doesn't really address doing the bottom edge on the rail, or correctly shaping the nose and tail, which I agree, should be relatively avoided, but not completely. A correct rail band will do all the work for you.

The way he does his fins is kinda strange as well. Plus, I personally think he is crazy by hitting the deck with a 16 grit pad on a grinder with a lot of pressure in order to create "grip". Sounds more like ruining you're beautiful board and giving you bloody nipples.

I have talked to him, he seems nice, but just some of his stuff isn't that good. I feel bad about bad mouthing someone who is trying to teach people how to shape, but I just think some of the stuff could be focused a bit more on accuracy. I do think that if you follow the directions, you will get a working board, but I think it will eventually make you not as good of a shaper.

[tomcat360]

Funny.....this came off his site

Do not read every thing possible about surfboard buiding on Swaylocks etc., then try to sort out what to believe. The internet is packed with conflicting information. How can a first time builder know what to believe?

I think the best way to do it is to get a guy where you can see physical examples of his work, and get him to teach you. You can't actually get your hands on one of my boards, so if I told you something completely bogus (I haven't said that word in a while) and someone who you know shapes and has a logical explination, I'd go with him.

[miamisurfer]

I just found this website called http://www.fiberglassflorida.com/products.htm
they sell foam and resin
I'm pretty sure I'm going to get a teccel blank but I'm confused on what resin and fiberglass to get, can someone help

[tomcat360]

Fiberglass Florida is awesome, I buy all of my resins from them, and I live in VA.

I can't remember if this is the right type of blank, but it might be the Tecell which is very very dense, which is good once you are done, but a biotch to shape. Especially on your first board, you probably don't want foam that is gonna force you into using power tools.

[kitesurfer]

Personally i think you can't go wrong with the 101 videos and a bit of research on sways when you need specific design info. There's enough peopel on sways with differing views to give you enough info to make ur own choice.
Personally most of the time i just go for what looks right design wise, nothing to complicated.

KS

[miamisurfer]

So should I go with Safari foam or VI. I have no clue what kind of resin I should get. What do you guys use? I go on swaylocks alot and have found lots of information, I havn't seen the 101 videos but I might talk my friends into getting so I don't have to pay.

[jethrodog]

Thanks Tomcat and Kitesurfer. Lots of helpful info. I read through SurferSteve's site and looked for come of the "things" that you pointed out. Never would have thought about it before, but some of the stuff he says does seem kinda "shortcut-like".
Found the 101 dvds on shaping, asked my wife to order them for my birthday. Isn't until July but I wasn't looking at using them until sept. Want to make a couple of boards while we are in Costa Rica for something to do in my spare time.
Thanks again.

[tomcat360]

Before you go, check on availbility on blanks, resin, etc. I have no clue what it will be like.

How long are you gonna be in Costa?

[jethrodog]

The wife and I put in an offer on a B&B with a bar/restaurant there. I make my deposit tomorrow. Once that happens, it is technically mine. Looking at moving there permanently around sept. 1. Gotta wrap up the business here, sell everything, then go. Taking my mother-in-law with us, she's been diagnosed with a disease that has a very short life expectancy. She already can't live alone, her brain is deteriorating like Alzheimers. SO, we thought a slower life style while we take care of her would be a good idea.
But, for the first 2 years, i can't work, until I get my permanent res. status. So I was looking at some things to do and got intrigued by your and Kitey's shaping.

[northswell]

When i shaped a board i bought this book, it was a help but by no means as exhausative as it could be. But with this and other reaearch i managed to produce a semi decent board for my first try.
What i did find usefull was having something on paper that i was easily able to refer to during the different stages, especially during the first glassing.