Hello I live in San Diego, California. My name is Wesley. I’m currently going to build a balsa longboard for my senior project at my school and than give it to a person who would like to learn how to surf but I’m not sure where I can buy balsa wood that’s 9-12 feet long. I’ve searched on google of where I can buy balsa wood around san diego and I’ve pulled up was Frost Hardwood, any reviews on that place?
Is there a guide of where I can learn how to build a balsa surfboard? What are the necessary tools?
Also what is chambering? Are stringers necessary? Where would I get the fin from? and finally, are the designs necessary?
I appreciate the help and sorry to be a neusauce with these types of threads.
Welcome aboard. It will be much less expensive to make your first board from foam. Frost is where I bought my first balsa, in 1958. They have it on an infrequent basis these days, and it is pricey wherever you buy it.
I build hollow wood boards, but not from solid balsa, and mine are planks (or balsa plywood) over a framework.
I don't think you need full length pieces, if you just stagger the joints. Chambering is when the board is shaped first, then cut into strips, and lightening holes or chambers are cut out of the pieces before they're glued back together. Swied is a member here who built a solid balsa board, no chambering, I think it came out at about 40 lbs.
I believe there are several members here who have done what you are about to attempt. Its a bit expensive, 'tho, you must know that.
You need to use the search function and look for balsa surfboards and chambered surfboards. Also check out the wood surfboard forum at http://www.grainsurf.com/forum/index.php
So from what I read, each wood would cost 300$? That’s quite expensive! Haha. How many do I need? Cause o was expecting 6 at 120 each.
What does it mean to stagger the joints?
I’m really determined to build this board, being my first time woodworking. Thanks for the help, I’ll look into both of the hardwood places.
staggered joints - none of the pieces are full length, but the joints don't line up. If they did, it would be a weak point, and the board would break there. But making sure they don't line up, it remains strong.
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How many pieces of wood do I need & the length if I'm going to stagger? I don't want to end up spending more than I should.
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The guy who's gonna build it, or the designer of the board/project, is best suited to anwer that. You would need exact dimensions (length, width, thickness, rocker) to figure how much wood needed. A scale drawing would help. I do mine by hand, but many people here use aku shaper (or other programs) to design to scale on computer.
Someone mentioned buying a balsa blank that is already glued up - might be the way to go, if you're unsure how much wood needed to even build the blank.
‘‘Hello I live in San Diego, California. My name is Wesley. I’m currently
going to build a balsa longboard for my senior project at my school and
than give it to a person who would like to learn how to surf but I’m not
sure where I can buy balsa wood that’s 9-12 feet long. I’ve searched on
google of where I can buy balsa wood around san diego and I’ve pulled
up was Frost Hardwood, any reviews on that place.’’
Go to Frost. Ask for Mike Mansfield. Tell him what you want to do.
You may find out that IF they have the wood and you are able to make it the last thing you want to do is give it away.
[quote="$1"]
How many pieces of wood do I need & the length if I'm going to stagger? I don't want to end up spending more than I should.
[/quote]
The guy who's gonna build it, or the designer of the board/project, is best suited to anwer that. You would need exact dimensions (length, width, thickness, rocker) to figure how much wood needed. A scale drawing would help. I do mine by hand, but many people here use aku shaper (or other programs) to design to scale on computer.
Someone mentioned buying a balsa blank that is already glued up - might be the way to go, if you're unsure how much wood needed to even build the blank.
[/quote]
I'm building the board., yes i have been to grainsurf.
[quote="$1"]
Go to Frost. Ask for Mike Mansfield. Tell him what you want to do.
You may find out that IF they have the wood and you are able to make it the last thing you want to do is give it away.
Good luck.
[/quote]
I'm just saying that I'm going to give it away so I can pass, I wouldn't like to give away my first 2000-4000$ board!
Allright, no need to get overly effusive. My point is, if you're building it, you'll know exactly how much wood is needed, because you're the one who knows the exact dimensions. No one else can really tell you. If you draw a scale drawing, you can figure how many pieces of wood, at what size, you'll need. I would say that this was expecially critical in my very first project.
I build hollow wood boards, over a frame, but I would think the planning is the same. I draw a scale drawing, and map out my construction, so that I know what size pieces I'll need to build it.
I’m in need of a consultant before i start on my board to guide and help me through my project, according to my school, is there a place i can perhaps find a surfboard maker around where I live? Where do/should I start looking?
Thanks for the help, I’ll look into both of the hardwood places.
