Dear swaylockians,
A few lamination queries if i may.........
1. I have laminated about 10 of my own boards over the last few years and I have realised that the resin use seems a lot more viscous than that which I have seen professional shapers use in videos. I have watched a number of videos over the last 2-3 years and often I see the laminator running up and down with his squeege with the resin flowing like water. When I laminate it is difficult to get the resin to wet out at any speed other than slow, which can cause problems getting everything done before is gels. I have tried raising the temp to 22 degrees C and warming the resin beforehand because I heard this might help but not much has changed. I know my skill level means I am going to be slower than anyone who has been doing this for a living but I cant help thinking that if the resin flowed a bit better it would make things easier. Do you guys thin out your lam resin or do I just need to move to a warmer country? The resin is from South Africa and is specific for board building.
2. Traditionally I have always done a pretty heavy glass job on my boards (6/6+6) just because I am heavy and seem to like short boards that have a bit more weight (maybe that says something about my surfing skill level?). However, a friend has asked me to make him a short board and he wants it glassed light. After a bit of rangling and steering him away from 4/4+4 I suggested that a layer of 6oz somewhere would be a good idea. However, which side should it go? He's not a heavy footed surfer and he wont be pulling any airs anytime soon, so structually which side would benefit from the extra strength?
3. I got a blank from my normal supplier and after hitting the stringer a few times with my plain I noticed that about 2ft up from the tail, there was glue filling in where wood should be. So in one place (about 1-2inch), the stringer is only half the width it should be (the other half glue). Looking at the underside, the glue doesnt go all the way through but certainly doesnt look normal normal wood. I was passing the shop at the weekend so I went in and had a word. The guy was good as gold and gave me a new blank free! But what can I do with the faulty blank, has anyone come across this type of thing before? Any thoughts on reinforcing it or should I glass it as normal and cover it with a design?
Cheers