This is a first attempt by a non-wood worker.
I went with pine as it allowed me the freedom to explore the process of wood work with unfamiliar tools without the threat of destroying good quality wood. Paulownia was going to cost $900, while all the pine i used cost just $90.
Like all first timers, the idea of making a wood board has lingered for a long time; but then i stubbled apon Sways and some great threads by Swied, Retroman, Tom Bloke and others - and the daunting challenge seemed lesser.
I had to buy most of the tools: belt sander, drills, masonite, glue…etc. but i borrowed some. I stupidly bought some cheap tools - and paid for it! buy good tools, eh.
I made all the templates from the APS shaping program; 9’ x 23" x 3 1/4". Simple design and didnt get carried away with the finer points of rock star shaping. Introductory lessons in building a billy cart, not a V8 Super Car.
There was 2 months pouring over Sways and other sites and accumulating tools and making templates. Then i began familiarising myself with the electric planner. i had a good rocker template so i cut the rocker out of the 14 pine 2 x4’s so that i could get used to using the planner; i found that this tedious task gave me plenty of practice with that tool so that i could at least cut straight and even.
The rough shape was extremely heavy - i should have weighed it. It was because of this that i went against the advice of sways and chambered before finalshaping. as i was working by myself, there was no way i could move the wood glued together without a second or third person. so i went ahead and estimated the size of holes i could cut without getting myself into too much trouble. I’m now getting in trouble.
but not to worry, leasons learned and now its about getting creative in dealing with the problems. i could read 1,000 threads but its never going to make me learn like screwing up then analysing that mistake and to see it from another angle.
I’m at the final stages of shaping. most of it has been done with a belt sander with 40 grit. now i guess i’ll got to 60, 80 then 120 grit. I’ll do a fin, then might do the glassing; however i need to dig around for more info on that process.
A great experience. i sneak a peak at it every now and again, fairly happy with how it has gone. At least its inspired me to dream about the next one i’ll do.
Grant.