fin box... help???

General Discussion
1

I just joined swaylocks because I need help making my first board. First because I live in florida I cant get the balsa needed to make the board. What other wood works that is easier to obtain?

 

2

what type are you looking to build?

hollow with ribs?

chambered?

parralell profile/Roy Style?

have you decided yet? sorry for all the questions but, you will get better info if those with actual wood surfboard building experience (not myself)

know which route you plan on taking.

3

I know it sounds like im a noob but thats because i am. i want the board to be solid wood or whatever is the easiest way. Tips Please???

4

Okay, for starters, you can get balsa in Florida. I mean, they ship it from Peru all over the world, you just gotta pay for it. Yep, it's not gonna be one huge solid plank of the stuff, but even the balsa boards I've seen made in Peru ( and shipped here)  are glued up. http://www.nationalbalsa.com/default.asp to begin with, search some more and there you'll be.

All right, it ain't that cheap, so, another species......you can build a solid wood board out of just about anything except Lignum Vitae, also called Ironwood, on account of that particular wood is heavier than water: it sinks. Just a question of how well you want it to float. http://www.csgnetwork.com/specificgravwdtable.html gives densities of lots of woods.

hope that's of use

doc...

5

thanks doc that solves alot of my problems. i have some another questions. How thick should the board be? will the thickness affect the weight alot? and how do you attach the fins? do i have do put fiberglass on it or can i just put a coat of resin? thanks

-Life is always better in the tube-

6

balsa bill got blanks in his shop in florida.

7

thanks peter. have you ever made a wood board before if so could you give me some tips?

  • LIfe is always better in the tube-
8

thanks peter. have you ever made a wood board before if so could you give me some tips?

  • Life is always better in the tube-
9

Was there a question about a fin box?     Just asking, because of the title of the thread.

10

Welcome to Sways.

Balsa Bill's thread http://www2.swaylocks.com/forums/glueing-up-balsa-blank is good for an idea of how to build a balsa board.

Wood Ogre's thread is a masterclass on hollow wood construction. http://www2.swaylocks.com/forums/wood_ogres-balsa-hallow-wood-hallow-rail-fish-attitude

If you are new to board building then perhaps consider a conventional foam and fibreglass build, it will be cheaper and easier.

Hope that helps.

 

11

 

What?

Have you ever heard of this top secret website they call “Google”?

If you master its complex features and intricacies, you can find stuff like:

GR Designs in Melbourne, Florida. He sells balsa blanks. Has them right there in Melbourne. You might not like the price tag, though:

http://www.grdesigns.com/custom/index.cfm?id=118012