Hi - i am about to (attempt to) shape a board, and just have a few probably stupid question. It seems that most people on here are from the states, but i am english and need to get some materials. where would the best place to get EPS from?? I have tried obvious places like focus and B&Q, but had no luck. Also everyone seems to use elmers glue for the EPS boards, but what is the english equivelent???
Thanks in advance for any help and sorry if they are stupid questions. I did try the archive but didnt have much luck
Hi - I hear where your coming from, in the Uk sourcing materials and info is a royal pain in the arse,
Check out Seabase and homeblown.
both sell, foam blanks, resin, glass and a few tools. though check the archives as in the uk you will need to make a few tools yourself.
Good luck, and don’t be put off or rush things, spend the time doing the ground work and read through the archive.Buying the best tools and materials you can afford, and set up a decent space to shape/glass, all the hard work now will pay off when you come to making your board and will help prevent early mistakes.
like wave the stepper the learning curve the faster you go, but if you wipe out you wipe out bad, know your limits, but push then as far as you can.
I think the British version of the glue you are talking about is PVA - very cheap water soluble glue sold pretty much everywhere. I would consider using cascamite though, as its stronger - comes as a powder and you mix it up as required, available from B+Q etc. Haven’t actually used it for foam, but have on most other things and its very good.
Why not try Homeblown in Newquay, very helpful people and would save the whole blank making problem… also can’t praise the UV resin from Silverback enough, made my first glassing efforts relatively easy…
Most things are available, though I’m not sure I know how to use them all yet!
Thanks guys - i have managed to get some EPS from a local building site (Bought off them not stolen!!!) and some PVA. I have got loads of space as i can use a store room at work - its a bit cold and damp but that will be ok wont it??? I have managed to borrow a black and decker mouse sander, and a small planer. So now all o gotta do is source a stringer from a timber merchants, make the blank, a hotwire, and some calipers and then re-watch shapng 101 about 20 times.
Once again thanks for your help and i am sure i will be asking more questions soon