I Havent contributed for a while so heres a few pics from building an Paulonia Alaia. its a photofeed on flickr here… http://flickr.com/photos/23198177@N05/
i will try and load them direct…
Quote:
I Havent contributed for a while so heres a few pics from building an Paulonia Alaia. its a photofeed on flickr here… http://flickr.com/photos/23198177@N05/
i will try and load them direct…
This is an interesting approach, showing the most modern way of building one of the oldest surfboards. Most likely, a method that is a polar opposite from how our early ones were built.
Dave,
What are the dimensions for the board? From the length it it is made for being ridden standing up. Is this correct?
Bob
Thanks for posting the pics. I was curious about the combo of linseed and gum turpentine. Do you apply them together and then wipe off? How long, and how many coats? I’ve made a few alaia now, but wasn’t sure about the best way to apply the oil. Tom W. just talks about using a coat of lineseed, then gum turp, then another coat of linseed.
Hey guys im on the road at the moment so sorry for slow reply. the board
is 6`6 x 16 1/2 x 3/4 and it made for standup. i mix gum turpentine and linseed 50/50 in a dish then apply with a rag. i just put it on wet, wait till its soaked into the wood and apply again. i give each side about 4 coats… after about a week and a few uses i apply a couple more coats. im just learning and reading the archives too as i go, trying things others reccomend and some ideas of my own…
my making processes are a sure mix of old and new… i drew the line at putting it thru my aps machine as i still like the planer now and then. i have spent a lot of time over the years using graphic programs so i find it really simple and quick to create great curves on a computer.
what i love about the alaia is the ability to change shape after riding to try things out quickly while my thought process is still clicking. i am in japan at the moment and i wanted to change the edge and outline a little on the one i have with me. i just went to a woodwork shop (awesome tools they have here) up the road from where im staying and cut bits off with a bandsaw and used his block plane to create the edge i wanted. and then took it out next day… ( i was pretty ashamed of my woodwork skills after seeing thier workmanship).
any way just get out there and make some more, get on the wagon and ride so to speak, cheers dave
Hey Feraldave, Your Alaia looks awesome ! Gave me some food for thought about my own production methods. For my first 3 Alaias I used only a coping saw, block-plane and a cork sanding block. Not trying to be old-school, just didn’t have any other tools. I’ve leapt into the 19th century now with a jigsaw and an orbital sander, but I’m yet to use a proper template, so symmetry is probably not my strong point ! Anyway, keep it up, the Alaia is a versatile surfcraft, not just an historical curiosity. High performance surfing is totally possible once you start to figure out your rails and bottom contours !
Dave,
Thanks for the dimensions. What really interested me is unlike people who try to replicate a bard and make refinements you started with a board and modified it. What I would be interested to know is whether the modifications improved performance or not - either way seeing the before and later shots and hearing what change you noticed would be ral interesting.
bob
Actually I’m toying with the idea of making one of these, and fine points to the desgin. rocker - hull - rail - trail Shape???
Would I be ok to use Spruce or pine?
Hi dave done some research and have a few more ?
The paulania looks truely beautiful, unfartunately I have no acess to this type of timber so am looking for alternatives.
the local ship yard carries several timbers that I think would do the job:
Cedar (which has been mension in other posts)
Teak (would be heavy and hard to work but great properties/assetics
Iroko ( camparable to teak, works easier but not as assetic
They also stock ash, beech, cherry and maple but I don’t think these would be as durable.
Of couse I could co cheep and cheerful with hardwar store pine but I’m not for doing things by halfs.
Any thoughts.
I’d go the cedar for sure. Check Tom Wegener’s site. Tons of good info on there, study the pics… and bjis has a really nice blog well worth a look-see.
These look very cool but challenging. There is a story about Jon Wegener on ReviewSurfboards and there where a lot of pictures of him shaping an Alaia. Here is the link.