American Blanks

General Discussion
1

Has anyone tried them? Were they nice? Have you tried Markos as well? If so, which did you prefer?

2

deanbo,

      I've used American Blanks before, I've even gotten to make my own blanks at their shop. The American Blanks require just a little more work because the decks are flat if you like a domed deck you have to shape it in. Mako blank are more like a Clark but they only have a standard selection. The American Blanks can be cut to how you want the blanks - rocker length thickness. The American Blanks come in a slab form but I think they can cut to match the outline of the board you want for a little extra money. I've only seen one Mako blank at a surfboard class. 

     I just finished rough shaping 6'2'' squashtail for one of the students at Cerritos College from an American Blank. I think it took me more time to set up my stands and tool then it took to shape the blank. Oh, were you the one who mentioned something about fin boxes and OZ?

Mike

3

I was checking out O’Fishl’s and asked if they were similar to Futures I think. I believe that you said they were similar to the Futures rear box? So thanks for that as will be checking them out more closely very soon.

4

Hi Deanbo -

I’ve shaped one of the American 2.5 lb/cu ft blanks and it was consistent density with tight bead formation. Custom stringers were dead on straight… as straight or straighter than any blank I’ve seen from Clark.

The rectangular cross section requires some thinking to obtain anything resembling a “close tolerance” blank. I’ve been working with a variable angle hot wire cutter to cut a bevel in the top edge to get some sort of rail taper before attacking with a planer.