Steve Forstall and a handful of others are far ahead of this tech. and the production of blanks. It appears the future of the surfboard industry as far as the medium used to make surfboards could possibly be about having the subject matter work with and supply on a consistent basis. Steve also makes blanks and sells them to those within the industry and has worked out many of the bugs others may find as they experiment. Good sourse of information and product from a veteran of the industry.
I don’t see any fire sprinklers up there on the ceiling or on the walls. Too small of an opperation I guess
Oh, ploystyrene doesn’t burn. Haven’t you heard? Its magic.
(Actually, much EPS is treated with fire retardant. It melts, but doesn’t blaze.)
Another part of the story is that it is much more profitable to make architectural components than surfboard blanks. This is the case w/ Hydrofoam. All of the stucco buildings w/ crown details? Styrofoam.
I’m sure all of the exposed wood framing is fire proof as well. I like all the shit piled in front of the circuit breaker. The fire inspector loves that stuff.
I don’t see any fire sprinklers up there on the ceiling or on the walls. Too small of an opperation I guess
I was thinking the same about the response. I suspect Steve and a few others are at leat two years ahead of whats goinng on with this tech. From what I understand there is a learning curve to make the good stuff.
Bummer about Clark for sure, but many things can be avoided and most of us make our own beds.
Sorry Solo, looking back on this I see it is a misunderstanding. I interpreted your post as a second coming of Clark Foam. I see where it all fits in, little local guy. Nice blanks…good luck out there.
(Actually, much EPS is treated with fire retardant. It melts, but doesn't blaze.)
It is often, as is the case with most polyurethanes, treated with brominated flame retardants. The most common of these, PDBE, is a close relative of PCB-95*. It accumulates in biological tissue and VERY LITTLE is known about its physiological effects except that it is already found in human breast milk in the USA and Western Europe at sufficient levels to cause thyroid impairment. But there is TONS and TONS of work left to do figuring out its real impact. I consider it a top candidate for the environmental factor causing the rise in autism.
And Herb was worried about MTBE…
Anyway, hotwire in a ventilated area!
There are also brominated flame retardants that do not accumulate in biological tissue. Red Davis our former governator signed legislation to phase out PDBEs. But the impact of ANY of the brominated flame retardants are not known. But if you gotta choose, avoid PDBE. The manufacturer has no obligation to list the flame retardants used, and brominated flame retardants are used on almost all foams and fabrics for sale in the USA…they are in EVERYTHING. Every carpet, every shirt, every foam pillow cushion etc., all your insulation, etc.
those blanks look gigantic…must be alot of eps wasted no?
Eastern,
I get nothing from Forstall’s blanks. He is just a friend. I sell his boards when they are complete when they were clark foam and as epoxy. I personally sold more clarks. Never meant it to be the second coming of Clark. There is no second coming of Clark. Period. Any shaper that now allows himself to have all his eggs in one basket is asking to be put under and moving to China or Thailand isn’t the answer either. It will make the problem worse.
Anybody checked out Home Blown in England. I looks like they have a cleaner PU alternative than Clark did? They are also soliciting for franchises.
D
Eastern,
I get nothing from Forstall’s blanks. Never meant it to be the second coming of Clark. There is no second coming of Clark. Period. Any shaper that now allows himself to have all his eggs in one basket is asking to be put under
Solo – I didn’t think there was an ulterior motive. I think the moment was confused and infused w/ a lot of charged energy and displaced emotions.
They have been cutting billets, making blanks, and using epoxy here in Santa Barbara for well over 20 years. The guys on my block, here in the waterfront, also have been through the hard times of R&D of the past. As you say, there is a lot to learn, but now I don’t think others will have to endure the hardships that the pioneers did. Times and information sharing have changes that.
The craftsman who has their own rockers and deck indexes will move on just fine.
Again, GOOD luck, and really, no harm / no foul.
The ex-Clark product pricing was peanuts compared to what blanks from England/Western Europe would cost given the FX rate for the Euro or pound sterling, maritime transport and the overall high cost of goods from Europe in general. May want to look else where.
I wonder what the costs are with importing PU blanks from Aus - Burford and Bennett? The FX sting would be less wagainst the Aus $.
Several posts have mentioned that the Oz manufacturers do not have the capacity.
I gotta think that China/Indonesia could manufacture and ship PU blanks fairly readily. But do they want to finish the whole board and sell those for even better margins?
Maybe EPS is the answer as Greg references any US or Canadian foam manufacturer could meet the annual US surfboard building industry demands w/out batting an eye.
John
Howzit johnxyz, I have a blank supplier working on those issues now and should have some info by Monday. The reason blanks form Clark were cheap was it was one way to keep the competition away. He would do anything he could to eleiminate competition, he ws a cut throut businessman who wanted it all. His closing is a blessing that will openup the blank market since now there will be a profit for those in the business. We may have to pay more but that’s better than the option of not enough blanks to go around. Also now that the close tolerence blanks are gone shapers will have to learn how to really shape and that will only make them better. Aloha,Kokua
Howzit rolliges, Now that's the kind of spirit we need, another wave riding choice. I applaud your attitude.Aloha,Kokua
Have a partner who has lived in Thailand for 5 years he is forwarding a PU sample (supposedly Aussie formula) should arrive in FLA 12/15. Quoted price quite reasonable bhat to USD rate 41:1
…Hey Kokua, Surfblanks in Australia, and Teccel in Brazil both have some close tolerance plugs…
Howzit reverb, Isn’t amazing that a lot of companies in other countries were not known of til this situation arose. Wonder if those companies are sending any blanks to us. Waiting myself for some info on shipping and customs from a co. in Austrailia. Aloha,Kokua
A little tidbit picked up from Sydney:
Question:
Just heard some news today. It seems that someone from the USA approached Australian foam manufacturers about purchasing blanks and the American rep was told to f*&^ off and get back on the plane.
Can anyone confirm or deny?
Answer:
yep…
and he wasn’t the only one…
in fact, one company has received two offers of sale this week alone
$30M+
and they were told to f@%k off as well
so much for Australian diplomacy (read loyalty to our local market…I trust)
ps
the 2 smallest foam blowers in Sydney have however, opened their doors…and good luck to hardcore and eskimo for doing so…
their production just tripled