id like to shape an 8’ board and i was thinking of making it about 22’’ wide, 16.5" at the nose and 14.75" at the tail. first of all, how soes that sound? and second…when drawing up my template how do i get a nice smooth curve to connect my dots? and the nose and tail shape?
also thinking about making a 8’6 or8’8 board for my dad if anyone has any dimensions or suggestions…
thanks everyone, i know its a lot of questions but any help wpuld really be appreciated.
your dims sound good…might want to step it up some for pops…best way to draw up a template is to do it on APS3000 …then take it to a copy center (or someone with a large format printer) and print it up.
i dont have heaps of hours logged into this field but my research here on swaylocks has provided me with an 8’X3/4" or maybe an inch wide piece of aluminum (near hardware at Home depot) that i hold along my layed out dimensions and run a pencil along it. I tried a piece of like 1/4 round moulding first but its so wavy that i couldn’t trust it as much. Some guys talk of using their fly rods which i tried but the knuckles for the eyes bothered me a bit.
I draw mine up in Adobe Illustrator or create them using a fiberglass baton (a long, thin, flexible pc of fiberglass).
To create it with the baton, lay out your dimensions on a pc. of 1/8-1/4" masonite, then connect the dots. The baton will create its own curve between your designated points. It will take a more flexible baton for the nose and tail if you are doing “rounded”. Does it this make sense to you?
aps 3000 is a great program, but at first is kind of hard to use. it took me a while to get the hang of it but once you do its great.
i have to agree with soulstice you might to think about going into the 9 foot range, especially if he has never surfed before.
when i start thinking baout what my next boards are going to be and i dont have a good idea of the dimensions i take a field trip to my local shop and start reading stringers. that way i can get a basic idea of the numbers and then i go from there.
the long flexy idea works real well doesn’t matter the material as long as it bends uniformly. i can’t figure out how to change my length on ASP3000 some one help?
The long bendy piece of aluminium approach works well. I find it gives you a really good consistent curve for your outline.
The steps I take to make a template (well 1/2 template as I prefer to use 1/2 templates and flip them) are:
Get a piece of MDF, Masonite, Thin ply or Cardboard (less desirable) that fits your dimension - I get MDF from the hardware store that costs me about $3.
Using the long straight edge of the template material, measure and mark the following points on the board - tail, nose, mid point, 1’ from nose, 1’ from tail
At each point mark in widths for each point… that is the length from the edge (Stringer). Remember this is a half template so mark - tail width / 2, 1’ from tail / 2, mid point / 2, 1’ from nose / 2. Nose mark is on the edge of the template material.
Put a nail at each point in the outline - that is each point as marked out in step 3.
Using the long flexible piece of aluminium / metal, place it on the outside of each nail and get a friend to help you hold it in place… A brick or heavy object also works if your friend isn’t co-operating This will give you a consistent curve around the outline. Mark it with a pencil.
Cut it out and give it a bit of a light sand to clean up the edges.
Cardboard is less desirable as it is harder to get the edges clean… this is similar to the technique used by John Carper in Shaping 101… it’s worthwhile getting this video / DVD if you get a chance.
For that lenght, I would add 1 inch more to the tail. wider tails catch waves easier. My board is a 7’2’’ 22’’ wide, 14.5’’ tail, when you look at the board is very noticeable the tail is a little narrow. It’s just my opinion, you can make the template and see how it looks.
i dont have APS3000, buti do have surf 3d. from what i haer it is a much easier program to navigate. same thing, right?
ill probably use that to draw my template and take it to like, kinkos.
but i also like thefishexp’s technique, which is what is what id rather do.
if i was to draw a template by hand, using a flexible somethng(wood, metal, fishing rod, etc…) im still a little unsure of how i would handle the tail and nose shape.
and i what would be good widths for my dad…anyone?
thanks a lot… ill be sure to post the finished product,Lorraine
First board…may wanna just find what your looking for in a shop or from a friend and copy that board onto paper/cardboard/whatever… Otherwise the nails method works ok but I struggled with the technique at first