BTW If you need to make your tissue shell a little stiffer before glassing, you can always add another thin coat of water-based sealer (concrete or spar urethane).
It’s been a while, still pressing on with this build.
The board just got its final hotcoats and awaiting finishing sand.
Here’s a couple pictures of some earlier stages. I glassed 6/4 on top and bottom. There is a little “flex” between the hexes, but I think it should be strong enough…Not sure how much the hoatcoat will stiffen up as it cures.
Weight is not as bad as I had expected, but could definitely be lessened by using less infill and more efficient designing next time.
There were some minor imperfections on the bottom lam that caused some yellow spots. Being a perfectionist I decided to try to paint the board with acrylic hoping for a “stained glass” effect. I gotta say, it turned out 1000x better than expected. I don’t have pictures of the striped side illuminated right now, but it’s pretty sweet.
After investing so much time into this board, I think it will end up being surf a couple times and likely going on the wall (with LEDs behind it). I already ordered a blank to replicate the shape in foam lol.
Will report back when finished and tested in the water.
Very nice. Is there a mechanism/vent for pressure changes due to internal gas expansion/contraction? Do the chambers have connections that allow pressure equalization?
All chambers are connected and it has a goretex vented leash plug that will hopefully suffice.
Looks awesome man! Stained glass effect is
You’re making impressive progress with your 3D printed surfboards! For your latticework style board, one technique to try is vacuum bagging for the fiberglass layup. This method can help prevent the fiberglass from bowing in the voids and ensure a smooth, even finish. By using a release film, peel ply, and then fiberglass layers, the vacuum pressure will help the material conform to the complex lattice structure and distribute the resin more evenly. You may also want to experiment with layering different thicknesses of fiberglass to minimize gaps and improve the overall strength. If you’re looking for inspiration, some insights from SUP stand up paddle board designs, which often deal with intricate shapes and precise laminating techniques, might provide useful tips to refine your process. Keep refining your technique, and you’ll likely find a solution to achieve the smooth, consistent finish you’re aiming for!