Hi guys im trying to make a replica of those famous greg noll chopstick skeg style fin, and i dont know how to make the wood chopstick inlay…anyone knows the “secret”?I have spend a lot of time thinking about to do it but i cant find a right way…
Thank for your help!!
A late reply, but how did you go mate?
I’m just trying to make the same fin myself now. Trying to find some info on how to build it, but there’s nothin out there.
I reckon he lays up a fin plate. Cuts it a slice across the plate and simply sandwiches the stick between. then lay maybe a nother say 8 layers over the whole thing. flip it over and do another 8 on the other side.
I was thinking of laying rovings beside the stick, like they do on the outside profile of D fins, but i think the above method is the easiest. Will get back in a month or two when i’ve made it.
I can show you guys how to make a chopstick fin. But I don’t know what a chopstick fin is. So how about showing me a picture of one ?
Huh, cool stuff…never heard of them or saw one before…thanks Huck!
Troopytravels…I think you have the right idea. make a thick fin panel, cut it into 2 pieces in a nice, straight line, then lam a piece of wood between the pieces. I would make the wood slightly thicker than the glass panels, then use a small block plane to get the wood flush to the glass. After that, I’d foil the whole thing a bit before adding external layers of cloth.
But, beside all that, I wonder why anyone would want a fin such as this? They work terribly.
“D”, or barn door fins, that is…
They don’t work terribly…they work differently. I love the way they work!
Why would anyone want one? Because they’re 55 Caddillac cool that’s why…they fit the period…just look at those beauties huck posted…I can’t imagine how ugly they would be with regular fins!
I agree that they certainly look cool. But, as someone who started surfing when that fin outline was just about the only thing available, I can say that I always hated they way they work once I began using something more refined.
I recall reading a story by an old-time shaper who spoke about the ridculous size of early 60s fins. The idea was that they were more stable and thus more user friendly for the post Gidget crowds.
OK for a wall hanger. Not so great for actually surfing.
The board I pictured is one of my personal LBs. I guess I have just learned how to ride them. I wish I had a better pic of the rest of the board. I played around with a couple of things on this one…the tail rocker is high with a hard edge around the tail as the rail goes toward the nose it transitions to a tri hull with a low nose rocker. I wanted a part time nose rider for small surf. I was afraid the hard edge tail would hurt the nose riding and it did somewhat. But combining the D fin with the hard edge tail makes it surprisingly easy to turn.
Sorry to get off topic 777
Now that Huck has posted some pics let me offer this: you can go to my blog www.dwsurf.blogspot.com to see how I got this far. I have done several similar to this. Seems I could put a chopstick in there! or 20!
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Sorry to get off topic 777
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I wouldn't worry about 777's feelings too much - it was 2 1/2 years ago he posted his question, and a year and a half since he's checked in on swaylocks!
Very cool, informative blog, thanks for the link.
I should really pay more attention! Thanks Huck!
Awesome work woody, dig the fin, it looks great. I'm gonna read your link now.
Reason for making it, yep its pretty much for the cool / traditioin factor, doing a remake of one of Greg Noll's little signature features just keeps something cool alive. not sure about how it'll surf, I think it'll probably turn like a pig, but hey it might trim like a goddess.
And I've gotta say boys, that this is the first time I've ever posted on swaylocks. Its awesome. I love the fact its not about the hipster scene which so much logging seems to be about these days. Its just people sharing. Cool stuff.
sweet project woody, looks awesome. well done!
Thanks Troopy,
I learned how to make the “Candy” edge by watching some of Austin’s work posted here and on youtube. Very cool guys, very cool LB work. As always there are a few details missing. Still new to this but when I Put something on the blog I try to make it as informative as possible.
Keep checking back, I plan to edit the whole build even more and provide as much info as possible. I know It’s boring to some guys…but I think plenty are craving the “details”.
Good Luck on Yer “Chopstick”
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I plan to edit the whole build even more and provide as much info as possible. I know It's boring to some guys...but I think plenty are craving the "details".
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I find I tend to breeze right on by the blow-by-blow detailed accounts...until I'm in the middle of trying to do something new, then I'm archive digging like a dog looking for a bone LOL!
