The large cells make it a challenge to tape off and paint and it tends to suck a lot of resin when you glass it. I agree about the consintency but that’s kind of been what’s been happening with all the blank manufactures. You’ll get a good batch and then a bad one. I’ve heard Walker has a new formula thats polyester based and much nicer than the old stuff. Haven’t seen any yet.
I have been fortunate to procure some Blair Foam the quality of this foam has been extremely consistent, not only in terms of rockers and glue-ups, but the super close consistencies in blank dimensions. In terms of milling this is how all blanks should be made, the dimensional consistencies from one blank to another relates to a single set up in terms of fixturing. Not having to do a separate set-ups for each and every blank due to the inconsistencies, this is where the consistencies pay off in terms of less wasted time and motion of laboring over each separate blank that needs to be adjusted due to poor dimensional consistency.
The Blair Foam has not deviated from the first batch in the last couple years, only deviations has been in the densities being offered. Performance wise it is very similar to Clarks red but the density is like the Clarks Green or similar. Stellar foam for weight to strength ratio. I was just informed of a new ultra-light density soon to be offered. I wish there was more Blair Foam available for everyone to give a try.
Blankman, Gary, if I may.
I first became aware of Walker Foam in 1959, but did not shape ANY foam until 1960, when I was hired as a shaper for VELZY, after the Dale/Hap split. Velzy used Walker Foam. There were others around at that time, FOSS, IMIG, SWEET, and of course the Hobie/Clark team. Over the years, and MANY thousands of boards shaped, (the old fashioned way) I’ve shaped far more Clark Foam than any other brand of foam. Clark foam became the standard by which other foams were judged. Yet, if Clark Foam were available today, I would still opt for Walker Foam, for construction of my own personal boards. As I have just recently done, again. Walker is still here, and ALL the others of his era are GONE. There is a reason. It is a DAMN FINE PRODUCT, that has stood the test of time. I also really like the way it shapes, and responds to tooling. Just my take, based on my direct experience.
I been getting quite a few Blairs as well as Bennett, King Mac and US Blanks thru ProCam. The Blairs are nice, the US blanks are nice too though they finger dent easily (a little on the soft side). King Mac where nice in then beginning then they had batch that had some shrinking on one spot on the rail and another with the foam browning along the stringer on the deck. Thats fixed now with the last ones we got. The Bennetts are still a work in progress with their over-all consistency but thats improving. My favorite foam is the Surfblanks formula foam that we get thru Teccel. It too has had it’s share of consistency problems but, man the cell structure is so tight and the foam is harder than all the others. The shapers do complain that it takes more effort to sand them though.
All things considered blanks have gotten a lot better this year than most of the crap that was around in 2006.
I agree, similar experiences with all those same mfgrs. Honestly, as time goes on I am eliminating foam companies that can’t cut the mustard. If for some reason, I have to mill some of the less consistent companies I will have to adjust my fees accordingly. Life is too short.
IMHO, I can honestly say that Blair Foam and US foam are the best in terms of consistent quality, delivery, and service. I have milled mostly all and many. And SHAPED most and many, no others come remotely close when considering all these factors.
Procam is using Walker foam. Ask Dylan or Jim for the new formula if you want to try it. They carry Walker blanks in stock with the new formula at this time. They have 6-5, 6-4fish, 6-8fish and 6-9 blanks, I believe.
Thanks.
I’ll mention that to our production manager. He does all the ordering from ProCam.