10 lessons learned from my first "real" shape

This list is meant for us new guys. I’m sure most of you already know this stuff. Kudos to you guys that are good at this!

so…

  1. The planer is my friend and not to be afraid of.

  2. Start by shaping something simple.

  3. Remove the belt drive guard so it doesn’t dig into the foam (modified Clark).

  4. Don’t stop in one place too long when sanding.

  5. Your outline cut has to be perfect and true.

  6. Trust your hands and constantly have them all over the board to feel for symmetry and other weird stuff

  7. Knock down the stringer with your plane and spokeshave before sanding.

  8. Don’t overthink the numbers.

  9. It’s a lot harder than it looks.

  10. Take one pass on the deck and preferably one-two off the bottom then put the planer down (I ended up removing a good INCH of thickness!)

  11. TRUST YOUR EYE!

 

All in all it was great. Took me 5 hours but, hey who cares. 

[img_assist|nid=1074547|title=Blank|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=512|height=640][img_assist|nid=1074552|title=Bad outline!|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=512|height=640][img_assist|nid=1074550|title=Get your outline true!!|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=512|height=640][img_assist|nid=1074551|title=Keep it Simple!|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=512|height=640][img_assist|nid=1074549|title=Bottom|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=512|height=640][img_assist|nid=1074553|title=Top outline|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=512|height=640][img_assist|nid=1074554|title=Bottom|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=512|height=640]

 

 

Finished board looks good considering the dips.

You apparently haven’t gotten there yet, but I can tell you what the 11th thing is that you’re going to learn from this board:

 

Even imperfect boards can be a lot of fun to surf.  

 

 

  1. Blank Selection.  Looks like you tried to make a CI Weirdo ripper. The blank you chose was too thick especialy in the nose and therefore harder to foil and leads you into the wrong directions when shaping and  tends to lead to rocker problems…  That 6’3" S is Foiled and rockered for retro fish.for the Ripper you would have been better off with a 6’3 DG or 6’'2" DE plus you would have saved some cash.

 

Looks like you did a decent job  but starting with the right blank makes a lot of difference.

Nice one i am currently attempting real shape 3 & 4 at the moment, looks like you may have to turn you head.

 

[img_assist|nid=1074506|title=old short board vs modern day short board|desc=5,8 sqash and a 5,10 swallow. |link=none|align=left|width=100|height=75]

Any chance you can explain number 8 a bit more for me.

 

8. Remove the belt drive guard so it doesn’t dig into the foam (modified Clark).

 

I have a stock Hitachia and would like a bit more info or if somebody can give me the link to a previous thread about it, i know it is on hear somewhere in these Archives you people speak of.

IS there any way to access these Archives apart from google seach of swaylocks and whatever you are after?

 

Hi Acqua,

I tried to make an early 80s twin. I agree on blank selection. I went with what was available for a 2 3/4" board. The blank was 3 1/4" and I finished at 2 1/4."

I got a little carried away with the planer!

Good one surf n spray … both in your attempt and sharing …

5 hours hey … was it relaxing, in the groove type time? Or, were you stressing and tentative the whole time?

 

Yes… the 90 degree cut out of the outline is harder than it looks. Consider tracing the outline top and bottom before cutting. Better to go a bit farther outside the line when cutting. You can always take more foam away.

Your board looks good and I’m sure with a bit more detailing you’ll be fine on it.

#12, keep the planer exhaust shute pointed away from your face.

Thank you, John. I know it may raise the hairs on some guys’ necks but, I think I’m going to try a jigsaw with a 4" blade and stay 1/8" outside the cut. I just couldn’t control the saw and it was cutting at a bad angle. Luckily for me the angle was towards the deck and not the bottom.

Well, it was mostly fun but, I have to tell you… those dips were really bumming me out the entire time. The good news is, I reallythink that I will cut my shape time on the second board in half and not make the same lame mistakes.

IMO this was a great post. Getting the outline perfect before doing anything else is critical. "Trust your planer’’ is another good line. For bankswar; all you need to do is cutoff the bottom ~1/4’’ of belt housing (remove, cut, re-attach) so that it doesnt act like an extension of the baseplate. The stock configuration can force the planer to tilt a little when cut is wide open.

i agree, getting the outline perfect before moving on is porbably one of the most overlooked things for new guys. It took me untill about my 5th board to realize that you can’t even out bumps in the planshape later on when your doing your rails. tip for your outine. cut it a good half inch away from your template line and trim it down with your planer. start with a deep cut and get shallower. when you hear a constant buzz along the whole outline when your planer is on 0, there are no bumps or dips.

 

One of these works wonders for getting that outline perfectly true in a few passes.

http://greenlightsurfsupply.com/rail-runner-tool.aspx

By far the best “crutch” tool in my box.