The tittle is pretty much the question.
so what is best the shaping bay be iluminated by the sun via windows for example or closed and iluminated by artificial light?
cheers and good waves
My preference is to have both, some windows and purposely located overhead and side lights.
We (the kid and I) started out with just natural light and whatever overhead lighting was there. Once I had sidelights, I was better able to see the shapes of the boards as I was working. My better spaces had some windows that could be curtained off to use the artificial lights ( one overhead, two side lights) but could allow moments of seeing the board via natural light. My current space (small greenhouse inside house) has lots of filtered natural light and is not curtained so I wait until evening to do work that needs side lights. I suppose I could use a tarp to shade the space better but I am not in there enough to feel like it’s worth it.
2 Likes
I don’t understand why this question would even be posed?? Especially by someone who frequents Swaylocks, is active etc and has access to extensive archives. I guess it is in the interest of discussion. Any kind of discussion. The use of “Natural Light” in a shaping bay while shaping is about the biggest shaping mistake you can make.
2 Likes
Exactly the same for me. No way you could think windows instead of artificial right lateral symetric light ! Shadow is a key to shape. Eventualy for lam, roof windows could work if enough light.
1 Like
Don’t worry about lighting at all. It doesnt really matter if you are going to shape the correct way, like our “ancestors” did, by feel.
Look at the old footage of guys shaping balsa wood boards outside in the driveways and backyards. Many of our, now deceased shaping gods, shaped incredible boards without side lights.
While side lights help you the shadows, eyc., what does a shaper do towards the end of the shaping process? He feels the board.
Dont be so concerned with perfect symetry, a eave is not symetrical. Going front-side vs. Back, is not a symetrical analysis…its why some shapers dare to design and shape a-syms.
You will learn and appreciated the art of feel by shapeing your first 10 boards by feel.
Every question here on Swaylocks is valid by the way.
2 Likes
No problems with the question for sure. I start shape 33 years ago outside in my parent’s garden, find my board quality improve noticeably while my working environnement quality improve too, help my eyes connected to my hands work. Without right lightning you can’t see bumped blank that you can feel with good hands, even more on eps foam. I need both eyes and hands. Same with bubbles when lam. For sure you can surf a disymeyric board, (some are sold as asymetric) a bubbled lam, bumpy rails, etc… it’s more a question of self-esteem for me. I am ridiculously meticulous, too late to change LOL.
1 Like
People did things the way they did years ago because they didn’t know any better. They learned through experience the best way or ways to go about it. The question isn’t invalid; It’s just plain silly. Especially when you have Archives and comments through the years that have already answered the question. If you don’t have a shaping bay or side light and there is NO way you can use someone else’s bay or set up a temporary; then you might very well wind up under a Banyan tree with all kinds of glare and irregular shadow fooling your hands and eyes. Take a look at some of those early Hobie foam boards that were shaped in side by side group bays with crappy lighting and tell me they are as refined and advanced as a modern day longboard shaped by a backyard hack that was smart enough to set up a bay with side lights. The problem with natural light is that it HIDES flaws. It doesn’t reveal them. If you want to learn to do it right; Do it right! Learning how to feel the board, train your hands etc. could be expensive. Make a mistake on one blank and then turn around and make the same mistake on the next. Ever heard the quote? “See the board in the blank.” It’s “hand/ eye coordination”. Your eyes see it and your hands sculpt it. If you can’t see it, you’ll never be able to shape it. When’s the last time you saw a blind shaper?
1 Like
You can do it any way you want. And it will look like it.
2 Likes
I don’t want UV anywhere near my unglassed blank.