So i’ve been go out on a lim and glueing my own stringers and tail blocks because i landed a bunch of first addition green foam blanks for a reasonable price. What is the best way to do this. I’ve been using pull strapes and it works but some times the blank is off a little on one side. Which has me adjusting during shaping. What kind of methods and/or straps are you using? Happy Sunday- “Share the line up with some friends in a place you haven’t surfed before”
When gluing the stringer use bar clamps at both top and bottom of the blanks edges to distribute an even pressure. You can buy 3/4" black pipe and clamp ends from Sears, HD, or Lowes and make your own. For a more economical method you can cut tire inner tubes into long rubber bands then slide them over the blank to apply the pressure needed.
To glue tail blocks either use the bar clamps, or search garage sales for “C” clamps. I might suggest that you use clamp blocks to protect the wood surfaces from being mared by the clamps.
tedious thouh it may be,
I cut the inner tubes into strips and get a good flex and easy wrap
lf you get those really skinny euro tubes
I tie an eye into one end after cutting
the circle open,after doing this you wont be likely to use the tube
so get all the flats you need from the bike repair shop,
wrap the bugga up and then adjust .using tite bond or gorilla gives you work time…
…ambrose
When I'm doing nose or tail blocks, I try to get the blocks as CLOSE as I can to finish shape and then glue on. I use fast set epoxy and tape the blocks on. Haven't seen the need for clamping. I also mortise the blocks to accept the stringer. Meaning, after the foam is cut square I leave about 1/4" of the stringer to stand proud and cut (dado) a groove to fit the stringer in. This helps with alignment. Some have said this is overkill but it works best for me.
I like simple methods…
Stringers: Cheap thin rope and stcks…Tourniquet method…Protect the rails with scraps…
Tail blocks: Masking tape…Get the tape to stretch…
If your mating surfaces are accurate, you dont need tremendous clamping strength…
Regular tail blocks only need to be put on with masking tape and 5 minute epoxy, std. pipe clamps are a bit too short for blank glue ups, Clark’s, Walker, etc. all had bar stock extensions brazed on for more length.
But the inner tube method works great too, bike shop dumpsters are a gold mine, cut out where the valve stem is, cut length wise into strips, wrap as many times as it takes to pull the blank and stringer tighht