I want to get a shaping and glassing DVD.
Any thoughts on which would be better (Damascus vs 101)
for the TRUE BEGINNER (not yet started my 1st board),
but plan to build at least 2 this summer (10’0" cruiser and 7’4" egg).
From the Damascus web site http://www.damascusproductions.com/
this series appears to have more detail and focuses more on longboards
(I’m not that interested in shortboards personally).
any thoughts appreciated…
thanks
–4est
I have not seen the damascus glassing dvd. The 101 and damascus are both worth having and studying. The 101 video is better for instructional purposes. The Damascus is better for watching a master use his tools. Poetry in motion. Mike
The 101 videos are simple, cheap, and easy to find. He shapes your standard shortboard and glasses with a standard shortboard 4x4 deck, 4 bottom, freelap. The videos really help for a visual understanding, and make the information learned here at Swaylocks easier to digest. It’s quick, and he probably has as much surfing footage as shaping. It’s well produced and even comes with some corny jokes from JC. It is certainly enough to get you started.
The Master shaping video is 2 intense hours purely on shaping. No frills, bells, whistles, special effects - the production isn’t Hollywood, but it doesn’t matter. I didn’t see it until I had 7 boards under my belt and it was still a lot to digest. I’m assuming that the Glassing video will be the same. There is no doubt that the quality of information level of this video is far superior… but the 101 videos still have there place in my opinion.
It’s kind of up to you. If money is an issue or your not sure how far you’re going to take shaping, then the 101’s are probably a better buy. If you do end up catching the addiction you’ll be ordering the MS video soon enough. That’s what I did, and I don’t regret getting the 101’s, I just don’t use them anymore. The MS video I can still pop in and learn something new.
Rooster and rKelly, Thanks for the info. Sounds like you are confirming my thoughts that the Damascus
videos appear to be better for content. I’m not concerned about the extra cost Damascus vs 101,
more that I want to get the rigt thing. I don’t want to buy the 101 series just to find I’m going to
want the Damascus series, unless I would be better served buy starting with 101. i.e. is Damascus
too much to digest for the true beginner and am I likely to get lost in the details? There is a place
for introductor and advanced stuff. Should this be viewed as shaping 101 and shaping 201, or is it
like a 1 credit hour course vs a 3 credit hour course, both strating at step one and suitable for the
beginner?
thanks
–4est
p.s.
I realize the glassing video just became available so I guess I’m looking for opinions about the shaping
one that I’ll assume will aply to the glassing as well.
If you’ve been following along with the Swaylocks posts you can handle Damscus. I just think JC starts out a little more elementary which can be good for someone with zero experience. If you start with the 101 and get into shaping - You Will Want the Damascus Video. If you’re going to make longboards definately get the Damascus… if it leaves you with questions you know where to come to… who knows, maybe even Jim will answer your question.
I believe that JC had his videos dubbed into Chinese and then moved all his production over there. Funny thing is though that the Chinese put a real audio track in for Cantonese and Mandarin and sold illegal copies of the tape and now there are a lot of “JZ” and “CJ” surfboards floating around the ports made with templates that look just like the old JC’s. A Thai video of 101 is coming out soon for that market.
just ordered both Damascus DVDs, but would still like to hear others thoughts.
Maybe I’ll still get 101s but I doubt it. Sounds like Damascus might subsume.
–4est
4 est, r Kelly said it best. I think if you are on your first board you will be better served with the 101. Mr. Phillip’s video after a few boards. If you love surfboards, shaping, it would be foolish not to own Mr. Phillip’s video. The 101 I could part with. Stay away from my Damascus, dammit! I’m ordering the Damascus glassing video this week. Mike
I have both videos and would recommend JC 101, eventhough it is a bit corny and has more surfing footage than is necessary, it is very informative and easy to understand for a first time shaper. The Damascus video is a bit hard to follow at times and is not as clear as I had hoped. It is good but some of the elementery concepts of shaping are not covered in clear detail. Eventually you should own both. I just ordered the glassing video. Good luck in your endevor.
I’ve just started my first couple of boards, and I’ve been reading these posts for almost a year now. I’ve just ordered the Damascus shaping video (not ready for glassing yet…).
The 101 videos are pretty valuable for pure starters in my opinion. It lays out everything in a pretty easy, linear way and doesn’t get too complicated. In relation to Swaylocks, it gives you the base understanding you need to keep alot of this stuff from going over your head.
I’m glad I got shaping 101. If you’re confident enough maybe you won’t need it, though I’d recommend it.
P
Anybody want to part with their shaping 101 and/or glassing 101?
Preferable in DVD format.
–4est
I own all the JC videos…very useful. My only peeve is that JC uses an
electric planer A LOT! I only use passive hand tools when I shape…makes
me feel more crafty (rather than some mass production factory worker).
JC videos skip alot of steps, and they have a habit of showing but not explaining if you will. Alot of DO THIS but not WHY WE DO THIS.
I could part with 101 But not the dmascus ones either. GLASSING 101 is worse for that missing steps,