EPS IN A NUT SHELL

General Discussion
1

I’ve now read about a dozen random posts on this EPS deal. I have only shapped a couple boards in my life (all PU). About 6 months ago, after getting fed up with local shappers B.S.ing about about time tables and cost increases for throw away boards that last 3 months tops, and hating to deal with Brah-dude shop dorks and paying out the ass for a board i wasnt sure i would like, I decided I want to give shappping another go. I have the basic concepts down, have a good knowledge of fluid mechanics, and a good eye for detail. not to mention a full functioning work shop.

Ive never really been to interested in Epoxy for the fact that I had one once, and it wasnt heavy enough… It seemed to float real high and was a bitch to put on rail without spinning out in decent waves.

I have 3 basic questions…

  1. where can i get some more good info on shaping/ glassing EPS (aside form all these good posts)… something a little more structured tkaing me from start to finish?

  2. what is the cure for these floaty/ light boards (if any)?

3)Where can I purchase EPS blanks in the Jupiter, FL area, or where can i purchase EPS foam and make my own blanks, I assume glue product carries the epoxy.

Any additional tips would also be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

your pal

-OPIE

2

The simple answer to number two…reduce volume.

3

More how-to’s from Bert. Awesome thread He goes all the way through the process. Its a lot of stuff, but worth the read.

http://www.swaylocks.com/forum/gforum.cgi?post=183391;search_string=Vacumn%20forming%20;guest=3106946#183391

Epoxy

http://www.resinresearch.net/

EPS blanks from Texas

http://www.sfoam.com/

4
Quote:

3)Where can I purchase EPS blanks in the Jupiter, FL area, or where can i purchase EPS foam and make my own blanks, I assume glue product carries the epoxy.

forget glue products…take the drive up to Melbourne and get one of Steve Forstall’s EPS blanks, and epoxy from Resin Research.

5
Quote:

Ive never really been to interested in Epoxy for the fact that I had one once, and it wasnt heavy enough… It seemed to float real high and was a bitch to put on rail without spinning out in decent waves. What kind? Who shaped it? When did you have it?

6

The second sticky thread has a lot of info culled from Swaylocks over the years.

There’s enough info to build a board from scratch if you wish.

You’re lucky you’re in Florida; Make a trip up to Indian Harbor Bch. sometime.

7

good deal, thanks

8
Quote:

I have 3 basic questions…

  1. where can i get some more good info on shaping/ glassing EPS (aside form all these good posts)… something a little more structured tkaing me from start to finish?

  2. what is the cure for these floaty/ light boards (if any)?

3)Where can I purchase EPS blanks in the Jupiter, FL area, or where can i purchase EPS foam and make my own blanks, I assume glue product carries the epoxy.

OPIE,

  1. SFOAM in houston has put togeter an EPS board production video. I have not seen it but it is out there.

  2. make the board thinner. good thread a while back about boyancey and the bigger issue is the speed at which EPS (lighter boards) float back up giving it a corky feel. Solution is to thin the board. Maybe 1/4" thinner or maybe more.

  3. Melbourn (sp?) and/or contact Greg L. Several providers in the area.

9

with the new higher densities I don’t think it would be as much of a problem, I think the EPS will still have more bouyancey though. So I would suggest using maybe high density PVS as perimeter stringers/rails…its not really a complicated procedure if you have the blank hotwired out with flat sides, just takes an extra step gluing them up, but a center stringer would need that also. Pinch that the rails a little more and flatten out the deck. I haven’t used the new higher densities and I don’t think anyone has yet…but it would be your best bet to replicate a clark blank.