To All, What would you say are the most common mistakes made during the first attempts at shaping are? Thanks, Tim
good question. this should generate lot’s of dialog. i think the most common mistakes i’ve made, and i’ve seen other make are: 1) not having a clear idea of what you want the board to be.(outline &rocker) -if you don’t have precise numbers you are shooting for, you’re doomed ! (know how much foam you intend to mow before you start) 2) not keeping track of symmetry while you are shaping. (seems obvious, but some people get into carving, and forget balance) 3) trying to shape the first board from scratch. -your chances of success are much better if you are trying to copy, or slightly modify a proven shape. don’t try to reinvent the wheel on your first board!
yeah, great question. my biggest mistakes at first were: 1) not taking enough foam off the nose, so my noses were thick and ugly. 2) not keeping my rails symmetrical (one hundred boards later and i’m still not consistent–but getting much better!) obviously, the best way to learn is to just do it, and keep doing it. people have told me that you’ll never get good at shaping unless you shape everyday. i think that’s crap. you should too.
The most common mistakes I see beginning shapers(and even some that are advanced)make are : 1) Fine sanding too much making the board thinner than expected. 2) Forgetting the board is going to be glassed and leaving the shaped blank too thick so that when it’s glassed it’s bulkier than expected. 3) Paying too much attention to fine sanding and not enough attention to rocker and symmetry. 4) Incorrectly placed concaves. I’m blown away how good beginning shapers boards are turning out these days compared to the days before close tolerance blanks. I hope all you guys that are starting to shape keep going and keep an open mind to new ideas. aloha
To All,>>> What would you say are the most common mistakes made during the first > attempts at shaping are?>>> Thanks,>>> Tim Here are some of the mistakes I made during my first attempts to shape a board. 1) Thinking something thats off at the beginning won’t show up later. Ex.- If there is a kink in the outline at the beginning it will always be there. 2) Trying to shape the rails during the finish sanding process. 3) Trying to shape the board too fast. If you’re not pressed with a deadline why rush? Just because a pro can do it in an hour doesnt mean you have to. 4) Having a mental image of what you want the board to look like when its done. My first shape had so little rocker, hehe. But the darned thing rode pretty good. I think no matter what your first shape looks like, somehow it will ride at least half way decent because it is a part of you. You’ll always remember that board…try not to get rid of it so you can look back later and have a good laugh, hehe.
To All,>>> What would you say are the most common mistakes made during the first > attempts at shaping are?>>> Thanks,>>> Tim TRYING TO MAKE A 6’2" TEMPLATE STRETCHOUT TO OUTLINE A 6’8" CREATING A FLAT SPOT IN MIDDLE OF OUTLINE(MUCH TO THE ENJOYMENT OF EVERY OTHER WANNABE SHAPER!) SPENDING TOO MUCH TIME ON FINISH SCREENING A LONGBOARD SHAPE AFTER ITS DONE (IN ORDER TO STIFLE THE ENJOYMENT OF THE OTHER WANNABE SHAPERS!) FINALLY ACHEIVING A DECENT/UNEMBARRASSING SHAPE ONLY TO PROMPTLY DICK IT UP BY AIRBRUSHING IT (TO SAVE THE $20. A PRO WOULD WANT!). FINALLY ACHEIVING A DECENT/UNEMBARRASSING AIRBRUSH ON ANOTHER LONGBOARD I SPENT WAAAAYY TO LONG ON(AGAIN TO STIFLE ANNOYING BOTTOM FEEDING B-GRADE LOW RENT SHAPERS), AND GET A CALL FROM LAMINATOR SAYING GLASSJOB HAS CRYSTALISED BECAUSE I SPRAYED PAINT ON TOO THICK…GO FIGURE. WHY DO I SHAPE ANOTHER ONE???..LAST SATURDAY, I BOTTOM TURNED AND PULLED INTO AN OVER-HEAD BARREL ON MY NO-NAME 7’8" AND IT SPIT ME OUT RIGHT INTO THE WHOLE PACK OF LOCALS (INCLUDING MY SON). THE HOOTS SOUNDED ALL THE WAY DOWN THE BEACH… MORAL OF STORY?..I’M STUBBORN, WHAT DID YOU THINK LITTLE GRASSHOPPER.???