I'm sure it's not the first time someone comes with this question, however I'll ask the same.
I've read a lot about balsa surfboards, but I cannot find nothing on wood striping method.
I've seen many with cedar, paulownia and other wood.
Balsa rails too. But balsa strips I cannot find.
Anyone here has done it or know were I can read about it.
Thanks
SLP
I'm sure Paul Jensen has done at least one but I don't know what kind of a backer he used. On most of his boards he does a carbon laminate behind the strips. The carbon reinforced panels are fitted over frames. I believe Balsa planking is the covering on this quad swallowtail.
Thanks buddy.
I was looking for a pure balsa wood strip. No panels nor carbons nor other way.
Yeah, I believe no one has done it yet.
Thanks anyway
SLP
You mean strip laminated balsa rails?
No, no.
I mean the skin. Some use plywood, some use wood strips.
With wood strip many use cedar, redwood and soforth.
I was just wonder if anyone here used balsa.
I saw something yesterday on www.grainsurf.com/forum
Very curious to se how much it weighs and how strong it is.
I can find balsa planks with 1000x100x8mm . Just not sure if it's worth trying. Sounds so fragile, that's all.
Balsa is probably your best option, but I wouldn't go thinner than 8mm.......................you'll need more support under the deck if you use the Jensen type frame , maybe full length stringers checked into the frame and faired into your deck..........and you should epoxy the whole inside to make it waterproof . Theres a lot of ways to do it ,you just need to have a clear plan before you start. Balsa will make a better surfboard if you do it right.
Hi Kayu,
Instead of a frame work can you send a pict. of the final result or show us how you did it?
Size and weight would be great to share. All info is important for us to learn.
Why do you epoxy the inside if you fiberglass the outside? Well since it's so light you can afford some extra grams on the inside I guess.
Is it a longboard? Where the fins balsa too?
The reason for sealing the inside of a balsa board is to help protect it from rot. The difference in temperature on the inside and out can cause condensation or cause water to be sucked into the board if you have a pin hole. That is the weak point of the strip plank boards and chambered boards. If you have ever done repairs on chambered balsa board you would see they rot from the inside out. Paul Jensens boards being glassed inside and out helps protect from the rot inside. Also a sandwich of glass cloth,balsa, glass cloth is much stronger than even a thick stick of balsa. You can also flex a glass,balsa,glass more than stick of balsa. not to mention impact protection. Ahui Hou- Wood_Ogre
slp , you can simplify the frame , that one was way over-designed. you just gotta have good suport structurally under a hollow deck . Listen to Wood Ogre, he's on it, and he knows. Don't forget the breather hole and put bottom to deck suport for centre fin and sidefins(if you use them). The board came up good..........yet to ride it myself , but the owner said she picks up waves real easy and loves speed and power.
That is one hell of a respectable board Kayu.
Congratulations
Thanks for the tips.
thanks for the software Haavard
SLP
