Found an interesting web site on shaping Balsa board. http://solidbalsa.0pi.com/index.html. Check it out http://solidbalsa.0pi.com/index.html
Thanks Mook, I just added it to the resources section. Mike>>> Found an interesting web site on shaping Balsa board. > http://solidbalsa.0pi.com/index.html. Check it out
Found an interesting web site on shaping Balsa board. > http://solidbalsa.0pi.com/index.html. Check it out I thought it was basically a bunch of balsa shavings. Balsa boards are NOT easy or economical to build. So as for his comment on not letting the “good old boys” snow you on how mystical it is. BULL… You all need to try and build one, then tell me how easy it was. The balsa board on KKL’s site is one of mine as are the wood boards on Evolution’s site. It’s not like those book ends you made in shop class. Jim “the good old boy” http://www.JimtheGenius@aol.com
Yes Jim, balsa boards must be difficult to make, but we all gotta start somewhere. I’ll make one someday. Not to ride, just display. Any info regarding shaping and glassing these boards is always welcomed by me, even if it’s “candycoated” and very elementary. The above mentioned site does make it sound very easy, but at least it’s not discouraging new shapers from trying. You had to go through the experimenting / trial / beginner phase at one time too. I thought it was basically a bunch of balsa shavings. Balsa boards are NOT > easy or economical to build. So as for his comment on not letting the > “good old boys” snow you on how mystical it is. BULL… > You all need to try and build one, then tell me how easy it was. The balsa > board on KKL’s site is one of mine as are the wood boards on Evolution’s > site. It’s not like those book ends you made in shop class. Jim “the > good old boy”
You can see Jim Phillips at work on his lovely balsa blanks in the new Evolution promotional video. It’s pretty groovy.
I thought it was basically a bunch of balsa shavings. Balsa boards are NOT > easy or economical to build. So as for his comment on not letting the > “good old boys” snow you on how mystical it is. BULL… > You all need to try and build one, then tell me how easy it was. The balsa > board on KKL’s site is one of mine as are the wood boards on Evolution’s > site. It’s not like those book ends you made in shop class. Jim “the > good old boy” Thanks for tipping us off to this site! I remember my introduction to balsa very well, and for sure, frustrations are waiting there, both in shaping and glassing. A good part of the initial problem for many of us lies in the fact that these days, most of us will approach balsa coming from a background in polyurethane foam, and not from wood. But, a project of this type does have some enticing characteristics all its own: from the beginning, the organic smells and taste in the air, tactile differences, appearance and overall sensuous feel of real wood offer the homebuilder (without an aversion to a bit of hard work and patience), a personal craft that will functionally respond to the water and its textures in a way that foam simply cannot. In addition, this is a great opportunity to explore the appreciation, care and use of the traditional woodworker`s much older and simpler (very sharp and human powered) hand tools… There is a world of satisfaction waiting to be discovered in the magic interplay of human hands, tempered steel and wood, harmoniously working with a fine-edged blockplane, drawknife or scraper. Plus, the extra labor required to free the subtle form of your creation from within a shapeless block (think thin shavings here, rather than clouds of dust), requires no mask. Take your time and savor the process, you will be rewarded. (Deeb, a chambered balsawood craft is calling you!)
I thought it was basically a bunch of balsa shavings. Balsa boards are NOT > easy or economical to build. So as for his comment on not letting the > “good old boys” snow you on how mystical it is. BULL… > You all need to try and build one, then tell me how easy it was. The balsa > board on KKL’s site is one of mine as are the wood boards on Evolution’s > site. It’s not like those book ends you made in shop class. Jim “the > good old boy” I heard the Evolution Balsa’s at the trade show were kind of crude , besides being over priced. This came to me from one of the origial balsa shapers who still puts out wood boards on a regular basis. It goes w/o saying that one should not toot his, or her (chick shapers),own horn. Save the wood resorces for when you have a real need.
I heard the Evolution Balsa’s at the trade show were kind of crude , > besides being over priced. This came to me from one of the origial balsa > shapers who still puts out wood boards on a regular basis. It goes w/o > saying that one should not toot his, or her (chick shapers),own horn. Save > the wood resorces for when you have a real need. How do we determine over priced? Hard work by the industries top craftsmen? Designed and finish shaped by a world champion, who is a master shaper! What could possilbly be crude about them? Absolutly true clean shapes? Possibly that the wood had to be glued for the extreme gun rocker? No 10 inch vertical wood is availible for such designs. No other company is attempting to have as many balsa boards in inventory and there is a waiting list for them. Crude, I think not, but that’s just my opinion, as I have a vested interest in the future of fine wood boards. Happy fathers day Dad, thanks for the gift of my life,and the love of wood, see you again in another life. If you want to see anything but crude, go to http://www.vineyardcottagefurniture.com We don’t do crude!!! http://www.JimtheGenius@aol.com
I heard the Evolution Balsa’s at the trade show were kind of crude , > besides being over priced. This came to me from one of the origial balsa > shapers who still puts out wood boards on a regular basis. It goes w/o > saying that one should not toot his, or her (chick shapers),own horn. Save > the wood resorces for when you have a real need. Sounds like sour grapes. Wayne just rode his in huge Victoria surf. Everyone else just makes wall hangers.
I see the smiling Wayne Lynch on the web page w/ a zillion differant boards in every shape and size you could imagine. I see balsa guns at $6000.00 to $8000.00. Someone put up some big money to get Evolution going. Maybe it’s a little late in the game for the big charge. If you have a waiting list for those boards there has to be some $$$$ going to the man in the middle. If they are willing to pay for it , all the power to you.
I thought it was basically a bunch of balsa shavings. Balsa boards are NOT > easy or economical to build. So as for his comment on not letting the > “good old boys” snow you on how mystical it is. BULL… > You all need to try and build one, then tell me how easy it was. The balsa > board on KKL’s site is one of mine as are the wood boards on Evolution’s > site. It’s not like those book ends you made in shop class. Jim “the > good old boy” Jim, it certainly is a pleasure to see that one of the “good old boys” is here on the net helping out the “good young boys.” I am a young shaper in San Diego (Used to work at Resin Works where we glassed some your Velzy’s and Jim Phillips, have endured many lectures from Sam Cody about old school craftsmanship, now work next to Stu Kenson’s room at Fiberglass Works). My problem: I’ve got some guy who has pieced together strips of balsa (about 3" wide) lengthwise along a Clark Foam Blank (Imagine a triple stringer 10’ blank where the two side stringers are glued in balsa… but 3" wide!). Anyway, he wants me to shape this thing, and it looks like a nightmare… BUT, his dad (who is a good craftsman but can’t shape too well) shaped one himself last year… and I am a bit intrigued. Now I see all this stuff about shaping balsa, and this website etc. etc. My basic question is… is trying to work w/ balsa a total nightmare? or does a background in shaping foam give one a decent head start? Just want your opinion, if you care to give it. I would ask Stu, but in my opinion, he doesn’t have the “good old boy” credentials that you do. I’ll probably ask him anyway, but I know he’ll say “Don’t waste your time.” Sorry to bother you, answer if you like. Oh yeah, and don’t tell Stu I said that about the credentials. Thanks Craig Albers http://www.albersbrothers.com
Jim, it certainly is a pleasure to see that one of the “good old > boys” is here on the net helping out the “good young boys.”>>> I am a young shaper in San Diego (Used to work at Resin Works where we > glassed some your Velzy’s and Jim Phillips, have endured many lectures > from Sam Cody about old school craftsmanship, now work next to Stu > Kenson’s room at Fiberglass Works).>>> My problem: I’ve got some guy who has pieced together strips of balsa > (about 3" wide) lengthwise along a Clark Foam Blank (Imagine a triple > stringer 10’ blank where the two side stringers are glued in balsa… but > 3" wide!). Anyway, he wants me to shape this thing, and it looks like > a nightmare… BUT, his dad (who is a good craftsman but can’t shape too > well) shaped one himself last year… and I am a bit intrigued. Now I see > all this stuff about shaping balsa, and this website etc. etc. My basic > question is… is trying to work w/ balsa a total nightmare? or does a > background in shaping foam give one a decent head start? Just want your > opinion, if you care to give it. I would ask Stu, but in my opinion, he > doesn’t have the “good old boy” credentials that you do. I’ll > probably ask him anyway, but I know he’ll say “Don’t waste your > time.”>>> Sorry to bother you, answer if you like. Oh yeah, and don’t tell Stu I > said that about the credentials.>>> Thanks>>> Craig Albers Balsa is soft and really no big deal to shape, way easier than redwood. Go for it you will figure it out, sanding ‘with’ grain etc. when your done post it here of course stu will hate it, he is a total di-k and hates most other shapers(resin brain poisoning). You are a very cool guy by the way and deserve success, good luck.
Balsa is soft and really no big deal to shape, way easier than redwood. Go > for it you will figure it out, sanding ‘with’ grain etc. when your done > post it here of course stu will hate it, he is a total di-k and hates most > other shapers(resin brain poisoning). You are a very cool guy by the way > and deserve success, good luck. Thanks for the complement/encouragement, I think I’ll undertake the project and report back here. This guy and his dad are cool, I’ve made them quite a few boards and I told them that this would be a first for me… but they’re still gung ho. Of course I shape a ton of retro stuff (this being the land of Joel Tudor and his single fin disciples) as does Stu. I don’t know what Stu thinks of my stuff, but plenty of true “old school” shapers dig it… so I suppose balsa should be part of the journey back in time that I seem to constantly be taking… in between shaping potato chips for the Blink 182 fans that make up most of my team/clientele. I make team riders listen to at least one old Stones or Neil Young song before being allowed to pick up a board, mostly b/c I’m always forced to listen to their bubble gum punk rock. For the record, no help whatsoever from Stu on the 6’6 “Soul Egg” so graciously showcased on this site. You still diggin that thing, Mike? Craig http://www.albersbrothers.com
Jim, it certainly is a pleasure to see that one of the “good old > boys” is here on the net helping out the “good young boys.”>>> I am a young shaper in San Diego (Used to work at Resin Works where we > glassed some your Velzy’s and Jim Phillips, have endured many lectures > from Sam Cody about old school craftsmanship, now work next to Stu > Kenson’s room at Fiberglass Works). Craig, after you have done as much planer work as possible on the balsa. Tape off the foam about 3/4"-1" from the wood, this acts like a sanding shield for the foam. You can then tune the balsa without eroding the foam. From stick to stick the density will vary, so care must be taken not to sand away to much from one stick and not enough from another. Jimbob>>> My problem: I’ve got some guy who has pieced together strips of balsa > (about 3" wide) lengthwise along a Clark Foam Blank (Imagine a triple > stringer 10’ blank where the two side stringers are glued in balsa… but > 3" wide!). Anyway, he wants me to shape this thing, and it looks like > a nightmare… BUT, his dad (who is a good craftsman but can’t shape too > well) shaped one himself last year… and I am a bit intrigued. Now I see > all this stuff about shaping balsa, and this website etc. etc. My basic>>> question is… is trying to work w/ balsa a total nightmare? or does a > background in shaping foam give one a decent head start? Just want your > opinion, if you care to give it. I would ask Stu, but in my opinion, he > doesn’t have the “good old boy” credentials that you do. I’ll > probably ask him anyway, but I know he’ll say “Don’t waste your > time.”>>> Sorry to bother you, answer if you like. Oh yeah, and don’t tell Stu I > said that about the credentials.>>> Thanks>>> Craig Albers http://www.JimtheGenius@aol.com
Craig, after you have done as much planer work as possible on the balsa. > Tape off the foam about 3/4"-1" from the wood, this acts like a > sanding shield for the foam. You can then tune the balsa without eroding > the foam. From stick to stick the density will vary, so care must be taken > not to sand away to much from one stick and not enough from another. > Jimbob Don’t worry about a thing your positive attitude will bring you success and repeat customers, see your boards around they are nice.
Of course I shape a ton of retro stuff (this being the land of Joel Tudor > and his single fin disciples) Don’t forget about Spitzer and his 5-fin disciples plus a few bonzer heads and plenty of fish heads and big toes (i just made that up – a big toe is a proficient nose rider) to boot.>>> For the record, no help whatsoever from Stu on the 6’6 “Soul > Egg” so graciously showcased on this site. You still diggin that > thing, Mike? Can’t seem to stop riding that thing! It is totally different from any other board I have. As a single fin, it can be squirrely sometimes, but it also has moments of high speed greatness. I honestly love riding it though. It’s such a nice change. A reader down in San Clemente sent me a 9" true ames “flex” fin that I’ve been using for about a month. It’s sweet. It’s really thin, no more than 5" at the base and tapers guickly in to this long raked flexy foil. I’ve been experimenting with moving it around. My discovery – a single fin is EXTREMELY sensitive to fin placement. Two inches to the rear has made the board a ton more stable and tracky. Can’t wait to see that balsa. Good luck with it. Mike
Craig, after you have done as much planer work as possible on the balsa. > Tape off the foam about 3/4"-1" from the wood, this acts like a > sanding shield for the foam. You can then tune the balsa without eroding > the foam. From stick to stick the density will vary, so care must be taken > not to sand away to much from one stick and not enough from another. > Jimbob Thanks Jim, I’ll let you know how it turned out. Craig http://www.albersbrothers.com
“…the organic smells and taste in the air, tactile differences, appearance and overall sensuous feel of real wood…” —Nicely put, Dale!!! “…(Deeb, a chambered balsawood craft is calling you!)…” You nailed it, Dale. Though I need some guidance on the details of chambered v/s solid… The wood has been luring me for some time, dating back to my first board and first exposures to surf history. Casting all politics aside, I have really been wanting to try this. The balsa sites are interesting and all are quite helpful, and this latest one lays the basics out nicely. However, I haven’t seen a resource yet that steers clear of selling pre-roughed blanks and haven’t found one that simply sells the wood. I’ve been thinking of creating my own experiences with an Adze. (however traumatic they may be) All the way from a raw block to the finished thing. Gluing up the planks and all…??? Sure, I’d give myself a few DECADES to get it all done, but I think the experience of going from tree to craft would be sublime. Any input is welcome. On another note: Jim, thanks for your input on this thread. You seem to be the carpenter around here…Any sources for the raw stuff? By the way: Go for it, Mr. Albers!!! Post a pic when you’re done.
You can see Jim Phillips at work on his lovely balsa blanks in the new > Evolution promotional video. It’s pretty groovy. Where do you get this video. I worked with George Robinson in Florida and saw how he shapes balsa (hollow chambers etc.) It is not an easy task, and takes a great deal of knowledge. However, it is always best to see how other shape so you can take bits of information, put them together, and do what works for you. Videos are great to see how others shape, but they are not easy to find.