Congrats on your child. Start now so by the time your kid is ready for a board you will be a pro. I would suggest purchasing the Shaping 101 DVD. This will answer your questions about the tools you need, how to make a template etc. Its really good because it goes through all the steps of shaping a board slowly and clearly. I am no expert, but dont try to do a shorty-potato chip type board for your first shape. Something with a bit more foam in it is good cause if you take out too much foam you can always just make slight changes to the design - more margin for error. I am no expert in any way, so thats as much advice as I can give.
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Ok folks, I think I’m ready to start my first board and I have some basic questions, and help would be greatly appreciated
I want to shape a quad of some sort, would you recommend a fish or a short board?
What are the essential tools I need to shape a board by hand (I will be doing this outside)
What would be the easiest blank to work with as a beginner?
Does anyone know a place to get templates?
Any tips?
Thanks in advance, I have a child on the way and I think this could be a good money saver, and great hobby to have on the side.
You can download and print out templates from greenlight surfboards website. You can get your blank and all of your other supplies there as well. If your willing to work with hand tools you probably have most of what you need laying around if your got a decent home repair toolbox.
Shaped my first one this year, twn fin fish, and I freakin’ love it. I was scared to death of doing the shaping but then that went pretty well. Then I was cared of doing the glassing (and almost outsourced it) but that went good also. Sure I screwed some stuff up but nothing I couldn’t fix or that really matters.
Thanks for the responses, keep them coming! I’m going to spend some time in the archives…greenlight also has a beginner kit that comes with a dvd, for what seems a pretty reasonable price, any thoughts about going with that option? It comes with the items below and is $65.
Ventilated Dust Mask
Surform Shaping Rasp
Mini Trim Plane
Outline Handsaw
3 sheets 36 Grit Sandpaper
1 sheet 80 Grit Sanding Screen for Rails
2 Sheet 80 Grit Sandpaper
12" x 12" Sanding Pad
Foam Padding for Shaping Racks
Simple Shaping Rack Dimensioned Plans
Access to Greenlight’s Downloadable Outline Templates
doesn’t sound like a bad deal, but im sure that you could pick all that stuff up at a home depot or your local hardware store for less.
while you’re their, you can also pick up some masonite (about ten bucks for a 4’x8’ sheet- enough to make 4 half templates). personally, i dont really like the greenlight templates. i tried one a long time ago and found it to be a big hassle for something you can only use once. my advice would be to copy a board you like onto a piece of masonite and cut it out; its reliable, accurate and you can use it again and again.
im sure you could find the dims and plans for a shaping rack here on sways for free.
Do a search in the archives for “surfboard design and construction”, then read and re-read. I’m on my 5th, no, 6th board and revisit this regularly. There are some useful plans in there aswell as some really interesting theory stuff put in a way that’s even easy enough for me to get my feeble brain around.
I’ve come to the conclusion at this point that power planers are too much bother for me, I now just use hand tools (surforms, mini block plane and heaps of sand paper glued to various sized bits of wood and foam). Mine are by no means perfect but they all work (except the 5’10" hollow wooden fish which is just way too small for my ability, though my skinny son likes it).
Good luck and enjoy the ride. Oh, and post about your progress and lots of pictures.
Fish. They’re simple and forgiving shapes. And they’re fun!
Search the archives for details, but talk to Brian at Greenlight. He’ll have nearly everything you need.
Get a nice, thick, Ice9 blank from Brian, if he has one. A fish blank would be ideal, but you can use a bigger blank and make the adjustments for a fish shape out of it. I wouldn’t do EPS for your first board. I run a course at a local community college and always use PU. It shapes easier and faster, and it’s cheaper. Once you get your skills up, go to EPS.
Search the archives for templating tips. I like doing it the old fashioned way… with a stick and some nails. Some say your not a “real shaper” until you build boards from your own templates. But you be the judge of that.
Lighting is important. Get some lights on stands and shape at night if you have to. Your work needs to be side lit in order to see your contours. You can shape anywhere, but, ideally, you want side lighting and no ambient light at all. It’s not as important when your roughing out the shape, but it’s pretty critical when you’re finish shaping.
Short, but ask you’r self why a quad, I’m not trying to put you off, shape what ever you like, but bear in mind a quad may be a challenge for a first board as there are some fine points to the design
2)Measuring tools ruler, tape measure, right angle (adjustampe is good) etc and a good graphite pencil (HB or 2B) Template, template saw, full sheet sanding block with foam padding for a hard and soft side. Surform, a fred tool is ery usefull. Aluminium oxide Sandpaper, some screen gorse, a sharp hand plane (for the stringer) a spoke shave. Dust mask
PU high tolerance. Buy one a couple of inch bigger than your template. Look for a good quality manufature.
Trace round a board you like, or make your own.
Relax and have fun, cut your finger nails. try to work evenly on each side of the blank, use pencil marks as reference points.
Are you planning to glass it you’ur self as well as?
Fatty if you did some work for a change, your nails would get worn down naturally, then you wouldn’t need to shell out for all those manicurs. Mind you might not be such a bad idea - mine currently have a combo of resin, hammerite, WD40 and filler under them that refuses to budge (gloves are a pain) and I think its turning the ladies off.
Sorry the surf is looking tiny for the weekend and I’ve got a ton of work to get through, my mates band is planing at the skate park so I think I’ll be catching some concrete waves instead.
I’m sure I’ll catch up with you at some point though.
I would have to agree with durbs. Go with a fish instead of a potato chip.
I am still in the process of shaping my own board, just about done. But from my limited experience, having a thicker board will give you a little more room for mistakes. Especially when you are trying to get use to using the tools on the blank.
Congrats with the bun in the oven. Just note that some of this stuff when making your board is very toxic. Don’t want this around the youngin.
Did you find our templates too difficult to cut out and line up with the registration marks?
I developed the print-at-home templates to make it easy. Do you have any suggestsion to make them easier?
Most first time shapers absolutley love the service we provide to make them a custom template - takes one less variable out of the equation for them.
On a similar note, it is always advisable to transfer a paper template to something stiffer for accuracy when tracing on the blank. Cardboard will do for a one time shape but masonite is best.
Thanks for all of the advice and information folks, it is truly appreciated.
The comments have led me to have a few more questions.
I had initially planned (apprehensively) to do this outside as I have no garage or place to shape. I was already concerned about the issues with toxins, now on top of that the lighting will be a concern as well. So, next question, anyone in santa cruz have a shaping bay they would rent out to me? If so, shoot me a pm!
In regards to a quad, would a traditional twin keel be easier to shape? The more basic the better, but I don’t want to shape a thruster.
I think thats all for now. Thanks again!
Santa Cruz folks, if you know of anywhere I could use a shaping bay let me know. I could take care of the room and the person etc.
i havn’t tried your templates in a while but the one i did use was a print up. i thought that you should have only put one “piece” of the curve on each sheet of paper rather than two. it took me a long time to get it straight and i was only able to do so by taping it to the wall- hard to see because my walls are white. i was never all that confident in the curve the template seemed to “draw”, it was most likely taped wrong but i felt like there was a flat spot.
i personally prefer spin templates because you can really play with the curve, your print up actually inspired me to make my first spin template. maybe you guys could try and make some of those, then at least you know if you have one side right you got the other side right too.