Hi , wanted some info on how and at wot point of shaping process do i put v into bottom of a board.
Normally V is done in the initial bottom rough-out, after any foiling adjustments to bottom. For DIY, probably best to get bottom flat and set stringerline rocker first, then ''add'' V - start by taking outer portion (bottom rail edge) to contour, then blending back to stringer.
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Mike D., very cool of you to be there to offer help. You need to know that your advice and the help from all the other pros is GREATLY APPRECIATED!
I'm hardly a pro but I've put V's in most of my boards. If you are already familiar with shaping rail bands, the real pro's just use that technique on the bottom. If you're not, I used this program pretty successfully:
1. After you've cut your outline and have established a flat bottom with the general rocker where you want it, its time to figure out where you want the V to start and stop. That's a whole topic in itself...once you've decided its time to get started. You need to visualize the end product first so take your time just sussing things before you cut.
2. V is essentially changing the rocker along the rail but keeping the rocker the same along the stringer. So it is really important to change the rail rocker as smoothly as possible. Thats why you need to have to preserve your outline cut as a reference. If you know how much V you are going to go with and where it is going to go, you can start cutting.
3. Make a narrow, shallow cut along the edge where the bottom intersects with your outline cut. Feather it in from just ahead of where you want to start the V and make a smooth curve. Stand back and look at the cut with respect to the whole board's rail rocker. Take out any warbles or divots now because this initial cut is pretty much your baseline. Do this on both sides (port and starboard) of the board making sure that the cuts are symmetrical on both sides. I run these cuts right off the tail block, even if I am going to dome the V.
4. Make additional cuts on top of your first pass until you've reached the depth of V that you are planning to make. Again, these cuts are right at the edge where the outline and bottom meet. The width of cut should only be 1/4 inch or so.
5. Now you start the hard part; feathering these baseline cuts toward the stringer to actually create the V. If you are good, use the planer. If not, use a long (18") sanding block and hold it at a slight angle and make long smooth pulls until you see the V forming. Use a straight edge accross the bottom to monitor your progress. This is your opportunity to shape a panel V (flat sides) or rolled V (curvy sides).
6. Hopefully this will create a nice even, symmetrical shape in the bottom. At this point you may want to smooth the transition from flat to V at the entry point. If you are going to dome the V (using a flat area at the tailblock-this tends to reduce tracking), this is the time to put it in. Notice that this will put a little kick in the tail rocker right at the end of the board.
7. Blend everything together to make it nice and smooth. You'll probably find that you will end up with less V than you planned as you smooth things out but that is ok. A flatter bottom is better than a lumpy one.
Well, that's how I used to do it anyway...Good luck!
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There really is no better way to learn about bottom curves, rocker breaks, and thinking 3 dimensionally than shaping V's.
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