I am about to make my first board. I’ve done lots of research and spent some time watching other shapers, but is there any advice any of you have for me? Anything that I will almost certainly encounter, that I didn’t think of before hand? Anything I should pay particular attention to, so I don’t have to fix it later? Any first time mistakes I am sure to make? Any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated.
Order more than 1 blank for backup, it saves transportation cost. And most home builders quit this kinda project cos they only have one blank. Never think you can make the first board perfect, have to learn from mistakes. Regards, Crabie
I am about to make my first board. I’ve done lots of research and spent > some time watching other shapers, but is there any advice any of you have > for me? Anything that I will almost certainly encounter, that I didn’t > think of before hand? Anything I should pay particular attention to, so I > don’t have to fix it later? Any first time mistakes I am sure to make? Any > help you could give me would be greatly appreciated. wear some comfy shoes with good support (w/orthodic inserts if possible). you will be on your feet for a long time and if you are not accustomed to it you’ll be worn out with some tired sore feet.
Measure twice, cut once. Always double check your self. Have FUN!
“…and God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good.” My light was bad, so my first board was ugly. Good lighting could solve some problems before they happen.
I am about to make my first board. I’ve done lots of research and spent > some time watching other shapers, but is there any advice any of you have > for me? Anything that I will almost certainly encounter, that I didn’t > think of before hand? Anything I should pay particular attention to, so I > don’t have to fix it later? Any first time mistakes I am sure to make? Any > help you could give me would be greatly appreciated. Don’t think your first board has to be (or will be) perfect. My first one came out too narrow because I kept trying to make it perfectly symmetrical. HA. It still worked fine but I should have quit sooner. It really doesn’t matter if one side of the board is 1/8 of an inch wider than the other… Also, SHARP tools make all the difference in the world.
Don’t think your first board has to be (or will be) perfect. My first one > came out too narrow because I kept trying to make it perfectly > symmetrical. HA. It still worked fine but I should have quit sooner. It > really doesn’t matter if one side of the board is 1/8 of an inch wider > than the other… Also, SHARP tools make all the difference in the world. Brings up a good point. While trying to make things perfect you can easily overwork something. The trick is knowing when to say “This is good enough” It took me a while to learn this concept and not try and “fix” every minor goof I made while shaping or painting. Often I just made them worse.
go slow. i would do it in stages, not all at once. take time and look at it with fresh eyes. sharp tools are key.good lightining is key. get a blank as close to your finished shape as you can. are you using hand tools/planer or an electric planer?
Don’t think your first board has to be (or will be) perfect. My first one > came out too narrow because I kept trying to make it perfectly > symmetrical. HA. It still worked fine but I should have quit sooner. It > really doesn’t matter if one side of the board is 1/8 of an inch wider > than the other… Also, SHARP tools make all the difference in the world. Dito… I meant to have a nice bouyant first board, turned out as skinny and thin as my shortboard. Give yourself plenty of room, maybe 1/4" or more on every dimension and TAKE YOUR TIME on the last leg of sanding, that surform takes off a lot more than you think. Symmetrical is a cosmetic thing, you don’t surf symetrically to your board, do you?
Dito… I meant to have a nice bouyant first board, turned out as skinny > and thin as my shortboard. Give yourself plenty of room, maybe 1/4" > or more on every dimension and TAKE YOUR TIME on the last leg of sanding, > that surform takes off a lot more than you think. Symmetrical is a > cosmetic thing, you don’t surf symetrically to your board, do you? – That
s absolutely right... unless you ride waves sitting, kneeling or laying down, symmetry is more aesthetic/cosmetic than functional. Standing up, youre either right, left or switch foot. I`ve never seen anyone surf in a symmetrical (both feet forward) stance for more than a few seconds at a time.
Ditto what Bruce just said…go slow! no need to rush it. Realize that you will probably make quite a few mistakes - your first go at it. The slower you take it, (the more careful you are) the less likely you will make major errors. By the same token, don’t inhibit yourself by being so afraid of making mistakes that you freak yourself out.(Increased speed will come after time and experience). You will also become a better “planner”(not just “planer”) over time, which is as equally important as the act. Start with shallower cuts when you use your planer. (You can “take off”, but you can’t “put back”). Also, try to relax and just have fun with the whole event. It’s a learning process, and - believe me - you NEVER stop learning! (you might be pleasantly surprised with what you come up with). Good luck, and have fun!
I am about to make my first board. I’ve done lots of research and spent > some time watching other shapers, but is there any advice any of you have > for me? Anything that I will almost certainly encounter, that I didn’t > think of before hand? Anything I should pay particular attention to, so I > don’t have to fix it later? Any first time mistakes I am sure to make? Any > help you could give me would be greatly appreciated. Tools are everything. An investment in the right tools will yield you much better results. When I was in high school, I shaped an entire board with only a saw, a 5" Surform, and sand paper. Amazingly, it rode well, but looked like you would expect - totally amateur. A few years later when I got serious about it, I invested in some better tools, and made a few of my own. The improvement was dramatic. At a bare minimum, have: 1. Saw 2. 12" Surform 3. 5" Block planer 4. 12" Sanding Block (cut 2x4 stud works great) 5. Measuring tape or yard stick 6. L Angle 7. No. 2 or HB pencil 8. Calipers long enough to take a stringer measurement at the center mark 9. 80 grit sand paper or sanding screen 10. A solid table that supports the blank, doesn’t let it slide around, and gives you full access to every inch of the rail you are working on. I constructed my own out of lumber for about $30 US based on some designs I’d seen in magazines.