Is it easier to shape a shorter board or a longboard?
As a real novice to shaping it seems to me like a toss up.
Longboards have less design features but there is more material to work with.
Shortboards seem to have more design features but less material to work with.
I should also add that I am thinking about making my first board and would like to know where to start. There also seems to be a lot of first timers shaping fishes and I wonder if this due to the simpler design and smaller sized board.
I agree with Keith - A mid-lenght board is the best compromise.
more forgiving shape than a shorty
the overall volume and long rails of a LB make it tougher
Also in my opinion, glassing a mid is a lot easier. Again, more forgiving than a shortie. And, if glassing for your first time, a LB would not be a good choice.
If a mid is not a option for you - I’d pick doing a shorty.
As you start a new skill you begin to learn how the tools serve the end product. The process is a gradual one and takes lots of stopping and starting. Think about it simply from a scientific point of view. Big mistakes on a big project are more costly that bit mistakes on a small project, but on the other side of the coin you’ll most likely overshape your first board so draw out something a little larger than you you planning on to begin with and if you do work away too much foam at least the board will be functional for you.
yeah i agree with what herb said its a lot better to start out with too much foam then to little. and always remember measure twice and cut once.
and soulstice is right on the other aspect, shape what you want to ride. its true that its a bit harder to shape longboards just for the rails. i have yet to shape a shortie but thers down falls there to. but why would you shape something that you wouldnt want to ride. the best thing about making your own board is that you get to design it to your exact specifications. the best thing you can do before you start on any board is spend time in here and maybe get some videos.
my first board went against all the easy/hard trade offs:
went big 10’6"
rolled bottom
resin colored epoxy
cut lap
resin pinlines
rice paper lams
big fin box
lease plug
Why, because that is the board I wanted to ride, own and build.
The more you want the board you choose to build the better it will turn out, if you take your time, do your homework, and plan out each step.
Build what you are drawn too. If it is harder, then think through it more. It will turn our well. And on the up side you can make a lot of mistakes and still have a board that rides well.
Hey thanks everyone for your replies! All are very good…
I am a longboarder at heart and as some of you gleaned from my post, it’s what I would like to try and build first. As with all things new it’s probably good to start off with smaller projects so that’s why I was asking. I didn’t want to jump into a longboard project as my first only to kick myself for getting over my head.
I was thinking of trying to copy my favorite PNR to get the hang of things and have a reference while I am doing it. Would y’all agree to this approach?
having a board right there to relate to can be very good, just so long as you don’t get too hung up on making it EXACT. you’ll wind up evening everything out so much that it’ll be overshaped to the point of looking more like a toothpick than a longboard.
although, you’ve already got a HPNR…why not borrow a different board you like from a friend and give that one a try? for every new board i decide to shape, the inspiration basically comes from looking around, finding a shape that i really love, and making something similar. i ask myself “if i were to buy a new board today, which one would it be”…and then i go make it.
when it comes to glassing a LB (or any early attempt) give yourself lots of time. Either use epoxy or UV cure resin. This will give you time so you are not rushed and can fix you mistakes as you go (at least some of them). This also means you can mix less at first and mix more as you need it so you waist less as well.