I need some HELP. I have read a few topics on 3lb EPS for guns and longboards. I want to build a 6’-4" (or so) board using 3lb EPS. Is this recommended? I don’t have much experience shaping boards (I shaped a few boards when I was a teenager. I am 47 now…get the picture?). I own a company that makes a product shaping 3lb EPS for the core. I buy it by the truckload. Cost is not the issue. Board performance is the issue. I am an experienced surfer, but I am not Andy Irons. Performance needs to be good, but not great. I couldn’t tell the difference between good and great, but I could tell the difference between bad and good. Does anyone have some good thoughts?
Have you by chance already read the thread in the Industry Forum that I started on 3 lb. EPS? There were quite a few responses from guys with a lot of experience.
Andrew
Hi -
The compsand guys are pushing the envelope on the weight/strength thing but for many of us it boils down to “lighter core = heavier glass” to obtain same overall strength. The push for extreme lightness often leads to fragile/disposable product. My personal experience indicates that the final weight is often pretty close either way you cut it.
If you have access to 3 lb EPS by all means give it a go. You’ll likely find that you can go with a lighter lamination schedule to achieve the same relative weight/strength in your finished project. Even a heavy board can be designed to surf lighter with subtle tweaks like concaves, increased tail rocker, altered fin placement, etc.
Make sure you check the archives on use of epoxy - don’t use polyester resin on EPS.
How about drilling out every so far, (befor the stringer is glued in), like the wood guys do. Use a drillpress if you can, and avoid drilling the areas where your feet usually go. AND,… Welcome aboard!
Sickdog
Never done 3 pound but my first concern would be stiffness. Second would be choice of EPS manufacturer. I’ve only tried one Marko EPS blank, it was a 9’1". Board was stiff as and the rocker was completely different from what was in the catalogue. I’ve heard good things about White Hot Foam EPS though which is slab cut, not pressure moulded. I’ve also heard that if you bend the foam to match the stringer you’ll stiffen it to #$%&!
Personally I would go the 2 pound route and glass with 2 x 4 on the deck and 2 x 4 on the bottom. Remember that epoxy as well as EPS weighs less. At the end of the day though all you can do is try and see how it goes.
hey,
if costs arent the issue, why not just plain try it?
do a double 4 deck, single 4 bottom [eventually with patches for fins deck and bottom], same specs as you favourite 6-4
then you really can grasp differences, good or bad
then you only pay for the glass fibre and epoxy and fins, which will cut down costs a lot.
that is how i would do it
let us know he!
WOW! This place is great. A buddy of mine who currently shapes my boards told me to go here for info. He mostly uses PU, and he recommended Swaylocks for info on EPS. He wants me to FU on my first EPS board so he can learn from my mistakes (he has a reputation to keep…my reputation already sucks). With all this great info you guys are giving me, my first EPS board may be a hit. I will be starting on it soon. I will be sure to let everyone here that helped know the results. Maybe a few pics…etc. Again…Thanks for the great info.
i have been using 3lb. eps foam for a year now on my wakesurf boards they are stringerless at 1.125 thick . thet are virgin block foam cnc cut to my specs.
you can see them at
I have a 3lb blank in the garage and was thinking about going stringerless with it, plus skins.
The foam is nice and firm, I’d be stoked if I had access to copious amounts of the stuff.
I say go for it!
i found access to 16 foot long slabs of 4lb EPS that are 3 foot wide and 6 inches thick. $50-$100 each depending on how much I buy.
I was gonna glue up 4-5 and carve out a 4 man outrigger canoe with my not wire gear thinking the stuff was too heavy for compsandwiches…
am i crazy?
i could make a 9 footer and 7 footer out of one slab instead…
maybe its a candidate for some tflex veneers instead…
FO SHO !!
Chamber it like the wood guys. But if it is not “virgin” foam, it might not be worth using. There is bargain regrind, (recycled), that is just not worth the savings in blank costs. Look for hard crumbs imbeded in it, and dry, uneven patches. Brittle, boards break easier, and it is harder to work with.
Sickdog
I’m thinking the same thing actually.
Denser foam with a heavier glass job for some summer eggs and longboards.
This is what I’m thinking of glassing
Double 6 deck with small 4oz patch
6&4 bottom with an extra 4 around the boxes.
Hey, I know who you are!! I have done EPS and have no problem with them. I scaled back when my blank maker went out of business owing my a bunch of money. Made me stick to PU blanks from known companies. I would like to give you some help…call me. Jim
No man, way too heavy for me on that glassing. I dont even use that much when i do my shortboard with 2# foam, where i dir 6/4+patches and 6 bottom. Oh, just my personal opinion!!
wouter