Just wondering, have any of you ever shaped a wooden board from something other than balsa? Can other woods work and ride well?
i made a redwood board. but its a wallhanger, i havent ridden it.>>> Just wondering, have any of you ever shaped a wooden board from something > other than balsa? Can other woods work and ride well?
Depends on whether you’re wanting to make a solid board or a hollow board. I haven’t made one yet, but my friend made a really nice 30s-style hollow board…kook box. It is just over 12-ft long, made from various woods/plywoods, has a drain plug, and is skegless. Held together with fiberglass and about 500 little brass screws. I think redwood “rails” with hardwood plywood decking and some other ply for chamber bracing. If you want more info on this type of board, I can get it. I’m planning to make one in the near future.
See the “other” section on the boards page. I posted my 12’ hollow-wood paddleboard. If that helps. Eric>>> Depends on whether you’re wanting to make a solid board or a hollow board. > I haven’t made one yet, but my friend made a really nice 30s-style hollow > board…kook box. It is just over 12-ft long, made from various > woods/plywoods, has a drain plug, and is skegless. Held together with > fiberglass and about 500 little brass screws. I think redwood > “rails” with hardwood plywood decking and some other ply for > chamber bracing. If you want more info on this type of board, I can get > it. I’m planning to make one in the near future.
in the book TOM BLAKE-the uncommon journey of a pioneer waterman you can find his original plans for his hollow boards. -steve
Grant…I’ve heard of coffeewood boards, recently (a new one on me). Guys have also been using bamboo. Last week, someone posted info about agave cactus boards. If it’s got the float and can be milled, just about anything is possible. Early Hawaiians used ulu, or breadfruitwood for some of their alaias, as well as the koa. Check out Greg Knoll’s article about his koa experience in the most recent Surfer’s Journal. A hui hou…Tom.
I’d like to try shaping a board from some real common, yet unconventional surfboard material. Anyone know of common light weight wood that could possibly work, besides balsa and bass.>>> Grant…I’ve heard of coffeewood boards, recently (a new one on me). Guys > have also been using bamboo. Last week, someone posted info about agave > cactus boards. If it’s got the float and can be milled, just about > anything is possible. Early Hawaiians used ulu, or breadfruitwood for some > of their alaias, as well as the koa. Check out Greg Knoll’s article about > his koa experience in the most recent Surfer’s Journal. A hui hou…Tom.
I’d like to try shaping a board from some real common, yet unconventional > surfboard material. Anyone know of common light weight wood that could > possibly work, besides balsa and bass. Red and Alaskan Yellow Cedars… and possibly Fir, Alder, Pine, Hemlock or Spruce.
I’d like to try shaping a board from some real common, yet unconventional > surfboard material. Anyone know of common light weight wood that could > possibly work, besides balsa and bass. Grant-- You may want to look into these-- plans. I came across while looking through e-bay. Sort of expensive though, unless you are buying for historical collectable value. Looks like a design for a hollow plywood kookbox. http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1028889013
I contacted Popular Mechanics awhile back re: Tom Blake hollow surfboard plans in an article that was published a long time ago… Not only did they still have the article archived, they sent me a copy free of charge! The plans are to scale and I believe there may be a typo or two on the dimensions but they are workable.
how about poplar?>>> Red and Alaskan Yellow Cedars… and possibly Fir, Alder, Pine, Hemlock or > Spruce.
Just wondering, have any of you ever shaped a wooden board from something > other than balsa? Can other woods work and ride well? … A genetically engineered hybrid (Balsa, Bamboo, and Aspen) is being used as a core material for Gnu Snowboards(gnu.com)…
I contacted Popular Mechanics awhile back re: Tom Blake hollow surfboard > plans in an article that was published a long time ago… Not only did > they still have the article archived, they sent me a copy free of charge! > The plans are to scale and I believe there may be a typo or two on the > dimensions but they are workable. Cool – would you mind posting them here to be printed or e-mail them or let us know how to contact the folks that sent them to you.
Surferdog - I don’t have the specific back issue number but a letter in the article from Tom Blake was dated 11/8/38. Title: “Riding the Breakers on This Hollow Hawaiian Surfboard.” If you provide me with an E-Mail address, I’d be happy to send you a scan. I’ll also try to post here on Swaylock’s.
" If you provide me with > an E-Mail address, I’d be happy to send you a scan. I’ll also try to post > here on Swaylock’s. Mahalo. I really do appreciate it.
I tried to send the scan. Hope it went through OK. Also sent to Mike here at Swaylock’s but since it’s 4 pages, not sure if there is room.
Paul - I’m not sure I believe the genetically engineered stuff on gnu.com. It MAY be so but I think I’d like to cut one up myself just to be sure - the snowboard industry is almost as full of bullshit hype as the surf industry.
Paul - I’m not sure I believe the genetically engineered stuff on gnu.com. > It MAY be so but I think I’d like to cut one up myself just to be sure - > the snowboard industry is almost as full of bullshit hype as the surf > industry. …I was able to see & feel a cross cut sample…6-8" diameter…I was VERY Surprised at the light weight!!! The wood had thin bark on the outside, with a light color to the wood … the pith was hollow??? I might explore the availability of suitable lengths for board building???