the latest issue of quiver was timely …
"
With the advent of space age materials and rampant homogenization in the surf world, many in the industry see handmade surfcraft going the way of skis and snowboards – machine manufactured objects covered with pretty artwork. David “Alaska” Parsons, pictured here in front of his truly slick shaping shack, bucks the trend with this modern triple-stringer 10’2". The one-of-a-kind design was made for a commercial fishing buddy who’ll keep it on board for when it’s happening on the Copper River Delta/Hook Point Area. "
so…why was this "timely’’ for me ??
…to be continued …

well,
THIS is where Robbo left his wooden board to be glassed .
Shane Stedman’s factory…
… blurring the lines between successful surfboard making business and backyarder / “cottage industry” , eh ?
NOW… for a comparison ,
does anyone have a photo of , say , Al Merrick’s factory , please ? [Shane has been making surfboards for around the same number of years as Al]
ben
…please feel free to post photos of yours or your local factory on this thread , too , eh ?
thanks !
…seeing these shots of Shane’s reminded me of my surf supplies guy here , Colin Earle … and his early years in the back of a house in the suburbs of Perth.


i like shane’s set up . . . nice. hey chip going back to the rubber ballon astronaut avatar . . . the first time you put that, lol . … still is funny though.
Any case, I found pics.
Al Merrick’s: along with surftech, Placebo, anacrapa … . ISO 9000 certified
glassing
you can see my MBM in the closest row of boards on the floor 3rd from the bottom diagonal, two boards away from the red one, up the butt and down around the corner through the window, out the door, across the street, up the alley, off the embankment, off the local sponger, off the ice scream stand on the pier, off seagull trashcan, across the court, nothing but net.
Rosie the riviter would be proud
Americana at its finest
let’s get dangerous!
10,000 molds and growing
nose riders, caution: may make you surf like Joel Tudor
ghost shapers
stringer put-ter inners
local crew, and master shapers / glassers total combined experience of 10,000 years of shaping.

Back in the 70’s Shane had a huge factory on Mitchell Rd in Brookvale. Well it seemed huge to a wide eyed teenager. And across the road he had an old house that was full of blanks. I wonder if that is the same house?platty.
“you can see my MBM in the closest row of boards on the floor 3rd from the bottom diagonal, two boards away from the red one, up the butt and down around the corner through the window, out the door, across the street, up the alley, off the embankment, off the local sponger, off the ice scream stand on the pier, off seagull trashcan, across the court, nothing but net.”
Aahahahahahahahahha PURE CLASS. Made me laugh for so long. Best quote in a long time 
Makes me laugh every time i read it.