I don’t have a shaping room but I’m pretty sure I’m going to make my next board for the first time in many years. I was curious if there are any backyard shapers here who still shape true backyard style without a conventional shaping room?
Thanks
Steve
Will you accept a garage?
With cars, bikes, lawn mowers, etc?
If so, then yes.
Albeit, I am only on board number 3… I’d love to have a nice workshop, but I work with what I have.
I do everything from my small shed: shape, glass, sand. Never shaped with side lights or on a flat surface, due to the resin thats stuck on the floor. Cant wait till I can use a proper shaping bay and have SHADOWS !
I rigged up 2 4 foot lights, that are on one side of the room. far from fancy, but it gets the job done. this is a 10’4" SUP I just finished.
I shape in my backyard. I try to coordinate with the sun's movement to catch sidelight at the end of the day. There are some hidden benefits to shaping outside... like no claustrophobia from being cooped up in a shaping shed, being able to stand waaaay back to get a better look at the blank, fresh air, sunshine, etc.
When you look at what happens to a board almost as soon as it starts being ridden, obssessing over every trivial detail seems like diminishing returns. Just glass it and ride it.
You pay--- I'll play. There's a Sitka Spruce in the backyard. I'll break out the saw horses and drawknife. Long as you got the money; I got time.
This was my favorite shaping location.
Yeah, I put two sawhorses under our lime tree and get happy with the surfoam and planer. I also glass there too, a few little bugs add character to the hot coat. The afternoon light really is helpful to check for lumps n bumps.
I totally agree with the mantra of not sweating a few little mistakes. Get the outline fairly symetrical and spend heaps of time on getting a good rocker and it will surf ok.
Thats the best ever! My Dream.
Awesome thread, Nice boards and some cool cats.
Keep em coming
Cheers
A small tin shed with an assortment of strategically placed domestic desk and stand lamps. The shaping equipment is in a constant battle with the homebrew kit for supremacy (the boards have been winning lately).
Backyard shaping is alive and well around here. I shape shop boards at the shop, but I shape for myself and my local crew in my driveway… glass in my garage. All you have to do is tilt the board now and again to get the shadows you need. I think natural light is way better than fluorescent, anyway…
I usually shape in my garage, but every once in a while I’ll go out onto the drive way under an oak tree. I can step back and check for bumps and dips. Occasionally a bird spots them as well.
worlds worst work area
but allot of smile are being created in this 4x8 hole in the wall next to the garbage
easy clean up
good way to lose weight
justabunchamateurs
After all of these years trying to build super clean boards with lots of color I am thinking of going backwards. Just grab a blank and shape it by eye with no templates. Leave the 40 grit scratches. Glass it free lap with ugly brown tint resin. Hotcoat it and hust sand the bottom and rails. Ride it. Ruin it.
I shape in my garage and backyard. Step back to see if everything looks right, tilt the board aroud to see if it’s correct or grab a small desk lamp and walk around the blank with it. Speakers for music on a very long extension cord from the house. Works well enough.
I shape in my garage and without any special lighting. I’m sure I’d do better in a better environment, though.
Nice, Bill.
Is that the new one you were telling me about?
I have no idea how you guys shape outdoors. I did some demos outside in surf shop parking lots and couldn’t see sh!t. Call me spoiled by good lights, good racks, and comfy air conditioned shaping rooms.
A few years ago, I had the distinct pleasure of witnessing "Ole" shape a Balsa under a Banyan tree in Lahaina during the Maui Canoe Festval. No backyard under a tree story tops that. Lowel
