Hello I’m looking to shape my first board and have been reading for quite some time. I am hoping to shape my first board without purchasing too many new tools. Neglecting the pain in the ass/timewasted factor, can anyone give me a bare minimum list of tools? I hope to avoid buying a planer or too many different shaped surforms if possible at this point.
Also, if a two part question is allowed, I’d like some info on dimensions. I’ll post back with the exact dimensions on my current board, but the major ones are 6’4" x 19" x 2 3/8 single to double concave, I think 5 inches of nose rocker and 2.5 on the tail and I like the board. I was thinking about a 6’6" this time around with a similar feel. I am hoping to make the board more versatile when blacks gets big but not way-out-of-control, but still perform well on the smaller stuff. I surf blacks and the la jolla reefs mainly. I’ve read a lot of posts about concaves and I’m still baffled as well.
A sharp rock, thats all you need. Bite the nut and get a planner, look on e-bay, garage sales, swap meets, flea markets, there all over the place. Any brand will work as it spins and it’s sharp. Don’t get a surform there just wobbly rails waiting to happen. 1) Planner, 2) 2x4x16 block with 36,80,150,220 grit.
I just shaped my first board without an electric planer. Here’s my two cents for what the bare min would be.
shaping rack. search the forum and find plans to make one out of 2x4’s
1/8 plywood or some thick construction paper for the template.
bendy stick to get your curve (i used a piece of bead stop molding from my garage, left over from refurbing my wood sash windows)
i borrowed a non-power planer to take the skin off the blank. this was a pain, but I wasn’t going to buy an electric planer.
tape measure
measure calipers are $30. I made some out of wood and a skill saw from my garage. just buy a wingnut and bolt from hardware store to keep it together 90 cents.
wood working measuring square rather than the ezsquare which is $30. I already had a square
Forget about electric planers…they are simply not necessary if you get the right blank and its too difficult to learn to use on your first board. E-planers simply make the work go faster (man, its only lightweight foam…I could shape the stuff with my fingernails…why the need extra power? Speed.). Besides handtools are more enjoyable to use.
The most important tool are good shaping stands with a heavy base. I made mine from large plastic X-mas tree bases and 2x4…bases are filled with solid concrete for weight and stability.
For 95% of shaping: Sanding block, sandpaper, block plane, sureform, sanding screen, dust mask and some measuring tools. My calipers are made from cardboard - cheap! Thats pretty much all I use. About $30-40 bucks. It takes me about 5-6 hours to shape a board.
I dont like to rush the shaping…the longer it takes the more I enjoy it…its not a race.
I ride mostly 6’6s and the 6’7R blank is a good choice for your needs. Concaves may be a little tricky on your first try. You can practice on an thick blank, then take your thickness down (with sureform or sanding block) and repeat. If you can afford it, buy two blanks, shape two boards and finish the one you like most.