I jus have a couple of questions. I am looking into making an alaia soon enough and i have a couple of questions for those of you who have shaped them before. As far as the blank itself. I’ve read that people are trying to go to Home Depot, buy tongue and grooved wood, and do this to save money. I would like to do this just becuase im sure i will mess something up and i dont want to spend alot of money on a blank to mess it up. So, what is a good, and easily available wood in San Diego lumber stores that will be tongue and groove and about 7 ft or so? Any suggestions appreciated.
If you want a cheap option look at the “my neighbors fence wants to surf” thread. I would suggest using redwood or incense cedar fence boards. Or some 1" pine boards.
You can get paulownia blanks for about $100 (including shipping to CA) if you do some research.
I have used red cedar, hemlock, redwood and Port Orford cedar. All have their +'s and -'s , but any will work for your first projects. I have also used “weldwood” and “tite bond III” to glue up the blanks. I have 10 boards and haven’t had one split on me yet…at the seam at least!(went a little to flexy on my last project and took a barrell to close to the reef). Anyway, the red cedar is nice because it is 1) cheap 2) easy to work with 3)decent flex characteristics. The cedar is bad because it isn’t real resilient. Good luck, post some pics when you’re done!
the old weldwood powder that you mix with water, will come apart in submerged service. Maybe Titebond 2 is good enough, check it out at www.titebond.com
This isn’t the mix with water type. This is WATERPROOF boat building formula. I have used the Titebond III also, but prefer the weldwood. The only problem with weldwood is you need 70 degree temps to have it bond correctly…not a common fall, winter or spring day here in Oregon. I’ve logged well over 50 hours on several of the boards and haven’t had any hint of the glue coming apart.
If you want to go cheap, for less than “$30 you could get a can of Formby’s Tung Oil ($7) and one of those 8’ x 18” panels ($24) from Lowes that are glue ups made of maple or pine. Just shape one of those, seal it up with the oil, and go surf! Cheapest wave riding vehicle ever, like the kids ride at Sandy Beach on Oahu, is dakine plastic food tray from McDonalds or Burger King! Grab some grinds, grab your fins, grab da bus, grab some waves!
Of course, if you a beautiful Koa Ala’ia, like this one pictured here, please visit my website http://jetsurfer.blogspot.com/
And, you could use it for a food tray, or as a salad bowl for the buffet table at your daughter’s wedding reception…
