adding contours to bottom

Even though I’ve done contours, single to double, with v… and whatever on the bottom of boards I think that I’m doing it the hard way… or just winging it every time. I usually just free hand the contours in and judge the accuracy by eye and light.

So I’m curious is there a preferred method, or THE method of adding contour?

There is no ONE way to do almost any shaping task. So find what gives

YOU the best result. That said, people like me come on here to try to give

you the benefit of our experience through our advice. So here’s mine:

I only lay out pencil lines on the bottom for channels, or fin dots that help

on some double concave applications. I do most everything using a (hopefully)

trained eye. I also use the planer for as much of this work as possible.

Sliding a straight-edge from nose to tail will show you what the water’s

going to see. You can of course check and measure off this tool as well.

I don’t think you’re doing it the hard way–as long as you’re having fun!

Mike

If I’m reading your post right you’re talking about concaves.

I saw Donald Takayama lay out his nose concave with tape. Then he sanded up to the tape.

I use a very light pencil line that gets sanded away during the shaping process. Also a convex sanding block helps get the concave consistant. But it still takes your hand-eye coordination to make it right. And if you can, light up the board from only one side. You see ALL the little bumps.

Doug

…is like Mike Daniel say

development of an eye is the most important thing in shaping

but you need some trial and error first

and then youll see what easy is to obtain such nice shapes…

do almost all the shaping with the electric planer; included ´V´ s, rails, concaves (or the sander/polisher), flats, kicks,

and check, yes check with your eyes and with the measurement tools

I see that the shapers doesnt “spend” time checking and “sharping eye” the shape. This is not good

-also, for doing concaves the best is an angular polisher with a 4´´ super soft pad with a 120 grit sandpaper