Do you take the board dimensions from the deck or the bottom of the board? Thanks for answering a lammo question.
You would take them from its outline (the very sides of the board).
Template from deck or bottom. If your cuts are perpendicular & straight, it shouldn’t matter. Use a chalk line, per Phillips. Measure length from the deck for true length. http://boardsockshop.com
I think most shapers measure the lenght on the bottom. This can be an inch or so different from the measurement taken on the top of a long board. Measure boards in a shop and you will find a lot of variation from what is claimed.
I’ve always measured the bottom but template the top and bottom so when I’m cutting outline, I can avoid cutting inside the line on the deck. This allows me to keep outline cuts closer to square. The only time this will pose a problem is if you’re entering a “longboard” contest which requires a minimum length - say 9 feet or 3 feet over head. I’ve seen contestants disqualified for having a board that was too short when it was measured tip to tip on the deck the tape pulled straight bypassing the rocker curve. It was close, but no cigar. The shaper had measured the bottom and by measuring along the rocker curve, added a little length. Typically, the bottom of the board is flatter edge to edge so you can get an accurate width measurement across the bottom rather than across the deck which might add some distance due to deck curves.
I beleive true is taken by balancing the board on its rocker, drop a mark from the the nose and tail, and measure this distance between. Deck/bottom being subjective but close. Or measure all three and then average it, haha. Respectfully, Herb Bean
Ditto that, Herb. It’s been said here before, Length=shortest distance between points.