Same type of controversial tool as the Surform. I'm never without a strip of this stuff in my travel bag or shaping room. Would never consider using it on EPS. I suppose it might work for that application if a guy was careful though. Blends rails fast. Like the Surform though it is possible to catch an edge. It's all in the skill of the user. I've used it so long I don't have a problem with it anymore. I find it really get's the job done on the harder Aussie Formula PU blanks. Rarely use it on thinner shortboard blanks or softer foam blanks. Whataya think. Like it? Hate it?
M’Ding, I dig it. It has a place in the tool box. It can be quite aggressive but so can a planer.
Howzit McDing,Great stuff but Ihave seen some not to good shapers really mess up their shapes by not keeping their eyes on the extra skin that would flap and dig into the blank, you know the part beyond what they have in their hands. Me I loved it.Aloha,Kokua
Got a pic, please?? Or is just a surform with out the handle bit ?
http://www.foamez.com/dragon-skin-p-176.html
JC talks about it in his Shaping 101 Videos
I have a piece I’ve had for about 9 years and use it very rarely. It’s great for profiling a rail that needs softening. Have to be careful with it but it can be useful in the right situation.
Maybe like a flexible Surform?
Sold at places like FoamEZ and Fiberglass Hawaii. Comes in a roll, sold by the foot. They just roll off what you want and cut it with an old pair of scissors(don't use your Wiss). Four inches wide and flexible. Cut it to a length you are comfortable working with(11 or 12 inches). Wrap the cut ends with some masking tape and you are ready to blend rails. You can pull it toward you walking backwards down the rail or cup it with your hand over the rail and walk it or pull it. Not a good tool to push or push/pull. Not meant for touch-up. Meant for blending curved or profiled surfaces. Use it like you would screen, but with more care. Like the Surform; In the hands of a novice it can be deadly. Works great!
tried it once and ate a 1.5lb eps rail up.
It’s been sitting on the
shelf a few years, maybe Ill dust it off and give it another go.
I've never used it on EPS and like the Surform; I don't reccomend it for EPS.
Yes, definitely not for EPS. I used it on PU sailboards back in the 80s, great for rough blending big huge rail bands along the upper rail. It can cause a lot of destruction if you slip, though. I've seen guys tape in small dowels or like along the ends to make ''handles'', since you have to tape ends anyway (to avoid chewing fingers), might as well have something to grab.
Not one of my favorite tools, but like the surform, to each his own...
The interesting thing about "Dragon Skin" is that it is not manufactured or owned by 3M but by Red Devil, our liteweight spackle friends.
Good idea with the dowels. It also comes in varying degrees of damage, like sand paper. And yes, strictly PU.
M’Ding, They must turn rails really fast. You are braver than I.