Folk’s - I’m thinking about trying software to design a new template for a build. Is this software downloadable at a public library? I mean, do I have to download any programs to draw me a template? Also, would I need a computer to use board cad, aku shaper etc… How do I get started?
I saw aku shaper has a ‘backyarder’ fee of $7.00, but what do I get access to? Can I design a few plan shapes to save to my hard drive? And how to print my designs? My apologies Folk’s I just been puter illiterate for a few yrs. Trying to get back into it.again, I just need a few templates.
You really want to design surfboards? Go to Home Depot, or Lowes, and purchase a 4’ x 8’ sheet of Tempered Masonite. Have them cut it into four strips, 1 foot by 8 foot. You now have the makings of four full size, half templates, up to eight feet long. Using one edge as the ‘‘mid line’’ plot out length, WP, nose and tail dimensions. Then hand draw the smoothest line you can that passes through those points. Rough saw it out, well wide of your line. Next, with block plane, Surform, and hard sanding block with 40 or 50 grit paper, true the outline with your eye. The eye, the hand, and your mind, are the tools you will sharpen in this process.
Thanks Bill! I’ll give it a whirl! I just want to shape something fun…and I need a template. I geuss I got the “lazy bug” due to sleep pattern screw ups…had difficulty falling asleep. Thank again, I’ll try it.I just jotted down the info in.my notebook. the plan is to design a hpsb. I haven’t nailed down the length yet? I’m thinking about it.Jim
Take Bill’s advice on getting the masonite strips cut at home depot, and also the cutting/smoothing of the masonite.
If you still want to design templates on computer, I prefer Boardcad over Aku, because when you print the Boardcad templates, there are gridlines printed on the paper that allow you to line up the multiple pieces of paper you will need to layout your template on the masonite strips. Lightly dust each sheet of paper and lay them out on the masonite. Use an exacto to cut the paper on the template line. Then draw with sharpie along that template line. Then peel off the paper, leaving the template line on the masonite. Then cut/smooth the template using the tools/techniques bill describes.
Also, would I need a computer to use board cad, aku shaper etc…
Without a computer it’ll be kinda difficult (i say impossible) to install boardcad on ur handwriting machine. If can also install boardcad on a mac os x.
How do I get started?
Easy, on windows ur supose to have the latest java and also java 3d. After u have this two installed, download the jnpl file and execute it. Than is so damn easy.
I saw aku shaper has a ‘backyarder’ fee of $7.00, but what do I get access to? Can I design a few plan shapes to save to my hard drive? And how to print my designs?
I think it’s a waste of money buying Aku, coz u can habe boardcad for free. After the design part boardcad u have two oportunities: save it as a brd file(for future modifications) or print it as a pdf file.
Like Jamiesaid, the paper comes out of ur printer with gridlines and numerated, so u just have to glue them together. This message have a pic of a template attached.
My apologies Folk’s I just been puter illiterate for a few yrs. Trying to get back into it.again, I just need a few templates.
For 1-time use templates I skip the masonite altogether, which is to say I haven’t done a masonite template in 2 or 3 years.
Instead, I take a length of 30" or 36" wide construction paper that comes in the rolls, fold it in half lengthwise (evenly) and lightly spritz the inside of the fold with some spray adhesive to tack both halves together. That’s the 2-sided equivalent of the masonite blank we’d use for a permanent template. From there, spritz the side you’re tacking the template pages to and lay them down using the crease for your centerline. Reinforce the outside template line with masking tape and cut it out with a pair of scissors - done. Unfold it to get the full-size symetrical template. The remaining spray adhesive on the core side of the template is enough to adhere to the blank so once you lay that down it’s not going to wander on you.
You almost can’t screw it up unless you pick an ugly curve in the design stage.
Thanks man. Yeah, I need several templates as I only have one right now. Bill’s method I’ll try, and also hoping to figure out how to generate sum puter designed templates also
That sounds good! I do like the masonite as it cuts easy w jigsaw. We used the,surform + block to true up. It does take a bit of time.
Thanks for sharing. I was thinking of a similar idea a mos ago. Or, to tape together cheap poster board, and draw the template…and tape down to board…
Well, I’ll pick up the paper, I found sum card board. I should be able to put something together here soon.
if you want to deign boards in AKU you need to buy the monthly service, OR get the pre version 2.x.x
I like to design in AKU and dial things in. However what bill said is true. Hand designing boards is the best way to start. With the 8’ board im working on with a friend we designed it on masonite.
AKU shaper version 1.x.x is labeled as a .jlnp on AKUs site and will work in a Java7 runtime enviornment.
I been using a flexible yard stick to connect the lines to dims… but somtimes you just fit the lines away from the dims if need be… Mike, or rooster pointed that out. But Bill’s sounds Classic ! I’ll try it, and also try the cad to make a few more templates. I need around three. Gentlemen, were going to build some good board’s!!! -JIM
Shapey, if you just want to get some templates to ponder, I would go to Andrew’s site: http://www.blendingcurves.com/temps . They are stored as PDF files. You can learn how to print them out yourself, or do it at the library or at a copy shop-a little tape and a pair of scissors and boom you are done. That will be way faster than learning BoardCAD or Aku and less hassle that getting an old 'puter to work. I have not made any masonite ones for a while either, I just run a soft pencil carefully down the edge being careful not to squish the paper. You could also print them on cardstock for more heft.
If you come across an actual board with a shape you like, you can always trace the outline onto masonite or paper. If the owner is willing to lend it to you, of course. I’ll admit to ‘stealing’ a few templates that way.
Another time honored way to get a templet is to use bender board. Mark out nose tail mid point and wide point on the masonite now hamer in some nails at those points Takea flexable board that you then bend around those nails and scrib the line. You can make ajustments on the outline as needed by hand or by reseting the nails
Stealing or Borrowing a templet from a Board is something that a lot of shapers do But most will never admit to it. I Have done that but always use it asa starting point and blend in my own lines. Blending Curves is a good place to start use the line they ofer and make your own curves from those basic shapes Do a few by hand first before yo go to the computer. This way you will have some knowledge of the basic idea of getting lines to blend and flow. Study the lines of the masters look how they flow. yet each has a slight variance
The Skip Frey lines will look diffrent then those of Mike Hynsen. Yater has a look that is different then either.
