I need suggestions on materials, methods and dimensions for home-built shaping stands. This is for garage and outdoor so two portable stands are required. I am thinking cement/5 gal. pail/4x4 for the base and the rest 2x4s. Suggestions welcome. I’ve searched the archives with little luck. Thanks, Rob
I need suggestions on materials, methods and dimensions for home-built > shaping stands. This is for garage and outdoor so two portable stands are > required. I am thinking cement/5 gal. pail/4x4 for the base and the rest > 2x4s.>>> Suggestions welcome. I’ve searched the archives with little luck. Thanks, > Rob Rob, In the History section there is a link to the Snakes’ page. There is a good description for you there within his ‘The Complete Surfing Guide for Coaches’. Overall it is a fairly good resource. Magoo http://206.102.92.130/ses/book/toc.html
just finished building some today as a matter of fact. i just used 2 5gal. buckets filled about 1/3 to 1/2 full of cement with a 44" 2x4 coming out of the bucket. then i had 3, 10", 2x4’s screwed together. take one of the 10", 2x4’s and then screw the other two on each side. then screw the U shape onto the 2x4 that is fixed into the bucket with cement. what i did for padding is got a twin bed foam layout from walmart, cut and taped it around the U shape. pretty easy. let me know if you want a picture to make it easier. oh yeah!!! depending on your height you might want to make the 2x4 in the bucket longer or shorter. im about 5’6" just to give you a clue. you usually want the top of the racks a little above your belly button. let me know if this helps brother. Josh
just finished building some today as a matter of fact. i just used 2 5gal. > buckets filled about 1/3 to 1/2 full of cement with a 44" 2x4 coming > out of the bucket. then i had 3, 10", 2x4’s screwed together. take > one of the 10", 2x4’s and then screw the other two on each side. then > screw the U shape onto the 2x4 that is fixed into the bucket with cement. > what i did for padding is got a twin bed foam layout from walmart, cut and > taped it around the U shape. pretty easy. let me know if you want a > picture to make it easier. oh yeah!!! depending on your height you might > want to make the 2x4 in the bucket longer or shorter. im about 5’6" > just to give you a clue. you usually want the top of the racks a little > above your belly button. let me know if this helps brother.>>> Josh Thanks, that’s the input I’m looking for. I just watched The Seedling and Donald Takayama has some racks that look just like two vertical 2x4s with padding suspended between them in place of a U-shaped piece. As far as height: most ergonomic people suggest about 15cm below your elbow for upright working. what do other shapers out there suggest? Rob
i’d use a 4x4 for the main support with a scrap of plywood on the bottom. place in your bucket and fill.
I use 15 gal.industrial planter buckets.Herb.
I use 15 gal.industrial planter buckets.Herb. Great idea to create a strong U-shape by adding boards vertically rather than at right angles. Only noticed this after real close inspection. This is what I will do except a little smaller buckets for portability. Thanks to all.
Herb: Are those 4x4 with progressively shorter pieces of 2x4 then sheet foam stapled/glued to them? I like the use of the planter’s pots over the 5 gallon pickle buckets. I’ve had problems with the 5 gal. splitting with the weight of the concrete in them. Thanks. TS>>> I use 15 gal.industrial planter buckets.Herb.
Great idea to create a strong U-shape by adding boards vertically rather > than at right angles. Only noticed this after real close inspection. This > is what I will do except a little smaller buckets for portability.>>> Thanks to all. That’s a good way to go,but the base on a 5gal.bucket is smaller and not as stable as the 15s.Also you don’t need to fill the 15 gal. planter buckets up as high of a level as you would a 5gal.bucket with concrete for weight,which adds to a more stable base,with the same amount of concrete/wt.( wider/low-gravity wt.= more stability) Also the upper wood construction on my racks is assembled with ext.wood glue,and multi-XXL-long sheet screws.The side beams are of vertical construction as you stated,they just don’t extend all the way to the base of the racks.The outer 2x4" beams,and the center,unfinished 4x4" sandwich 3/4" plywood spacers on each side of the 4x4".They are held together with ext.woodglue,XXL-sheetscrews,and 2 long case hardened nuts and bolts(thru and thru)…It’s just south of bulletproof. Going all vertical beam construction is easy, all you need is 2 uprights per bucket(2x4s),and just hang a sling “U” shaped out of light colored carpet,with a staple gun.That’s it.Herb.
Herb:>>> Are those 4x4 with progressively shorter pieces of 2x4 then sheet foam > stapled/glued to them? I like the use of the planter’s pots over the 5 > gallon pickle buckets. I’ve had problems with the 5 gal. splitting with > the weight of the concrete in them. Thanks.>>> TS …My racks are 8 years old(and show no sign of break down),and I do all my shaping,sanding,dingies on them(they also get moved around alot too!).The 15gal. pots are the way to go.If not this way ,I would use steel truck wheels. The racks are covered/padded first with 1/4" bookie type foam,then 1" soft polyurethane foam with a cloth backing,then cloth diapers over that.THIS IS ASSEMBLED WITH SPRAY 90 GLUE ,AND A STAPLE GUN.Last,I cover the arms of the racks with socks,that slip on ,and off for easy replacement.Herb.
On the outside of the main 2x4"s are a 3rd set of progessively shorter 2x4"s.Thse 3rd vertical 2x4"s only serve as a wider base for the top piece,which is another piece of 2x4".The top horizontal piece is back stepped abit to provide a inner lip.This allows me to set the blank at a 30-45 degree angle for banding rails easier.There’s nothing sadder than a rack with only 2 positions to use.Herb.
On the outside of the main 2x4"s are a 3rd set of progessively > shorter 2x4"s.Thse 3rd vertical 2x4"s only serve as a wider base > for the top piece,which is another piece of 2x4".The top horizontal > piece is back stepped abit to provide a inner lip.This allows me to set > the blank at a 30-45 degree angle for banding rails easier.There’s nothing > sadder than a rack with only 2 positions to use.Herb. That should be 2nd set of vertical 2x4"s,not 3rd.They are however the 3rd section out from the center,center being #1(not including the plywood spacers).Herb
Not pictured,but you can see where it goes,and how it would work by the pictures of my racks in the “other” section of the Board page. There is just enough space(tight fit) between the lip of the buckets,and the main,vertical 2x4"s, to fit a long 2x4 support board on it’s side,under the vertical 2x4 and over the lip of the bucket.These 2x4 “support boards” are 11’in length, and connect the racks together.One on each side of the 4x4"s,with the boards going all the way across the buckets,it gives the racks such a solid foundation,it’s not going anywhere even with a 100lbs++ board on it.The support 2x4s are bolted to the 4x4s with one(in each 4x4) 9"long, smooth shaft,case hardened steel bolt,star lockwashers,and wing nuts(for quick take down).The 4x4s are drilled with one hole and the support boards have holes drilled in several spots up and down it’s length.Also shorter boards are used as well,in place of the longer ones. I don’t use them much,but there nice to have ,and make my racks complete.Herb.