I am new to shaping but I really want to learn. I found a couple posts about shaping but I have much research to do. I wa going to start shaping with EPS but when I found a local shop that has everything I need to make a board they told me to go with PU. They said EPS would be the hard route for the first time. I got a US Blanks First 6’5"A or R blank(I forget if it is A or R I will check in the morning to confirm) enough glass and resin to do the job. I chose to do a 4 oz and a 6 oz on the deck with a 4 oz on the bottom. They recommended I use UV curing poly res and for my second coat to use a surfacing agent. They also recommended that I don’t do a gloss coat on the first board as it is not necissary(according to them, which I am guessing they know what they are doing). I am 6’1.5", ~180Lbs. I started surfing about a month ago and fell in love. I want to make a fish board, I was thinking a 5’ 11" x 21" x 2.75" with a twinzer fin setup. I am currently riding my first board wich is a 6’-6" retro slider made by Ray Moss which I love but it is a beast. It’s about 23" wide and 3.5" thick. It has been doing me well with the mushy summer waves in ventura but when I am ready for it I want to have a board that is a little more performance oriented. I was thinking of just making a template from my current board and down sizing it a bit. I have a garage of tools, palm sanders, belt sanders, saws, metal lathe, band saw, etc. The only thing I don’t have is a power planer and the articles I have read on shaping(which is not a very high number right now) have all talked about using one. I am wondering if anyone could point me in the direction of some articles that will help me get on my way to creating? Also if anyone is shaping in the ventura county area and would be willing to meeting up and give me a couple pointers.
Thanks for your time. I really appreciate all the help I can get
if u started 1 month ago from my opinion a fish is not that good (just my opinion maybe i’m wrong).
here u can find all the information u need. on youtube u can find lots of videos about shaping, glassing etc. i have the power planer but i don’t use it a lot, i beter like using the surform (i’m also new on shaping). remember this "virgin shapers are inclined to overshape" (from my fish post).
read lots of posts and u’ll learn from other shapers mistakes.
the fastest way to do a template, like i said in other post get aku shaper or shape 3d and u’ll have the option to print it on more A4 papers and then the only thing u have to do is to glue all parts
A fish is not good to ride or shape for someone who has been surfing a month? I am riding my fish every time I go out. I was planning on just using some card board like from a refridgerator box and drawing a line I liked then cutting it out. Maybe I’ll use masking tape to get the line I want then draw and cut. I was looking at boardCAD but I already am proficient at using AutoCAD 2009 so I don’t really need a CAD program. Though I feel autocad would not be as good for this application as other programs. I know what you call surform as a rasp, same thing right? I am looking at getting a harbor freight power planer. Anyone use one of these? Should I get something else or is it a good entry level tool for this art. It only makes 5/64" deep cuts, I’ve heard that average is 1/8" making this just a 64th past half that.
I found a link in this forum to this article on surfline: http://www.surfline.com/gear/how-to-shape/milling-thickness.cfm . I am fairly sure this is all I need to know about the methods of shaping but I could use a little help with picking my measurements on my board. Mainly for the depth of the swallow tail, the thickness of my rails, nose and tail, and my fin placement. I want to do a twinzer setup similar to the second post by jdo in this thread, http://www2.swaylocks.com/node/1027679?page=7 . I don’t know where I would find those fins but I suppose I could make them. Any clues on where I should place the plugs? I don’t really know how changing dimensions on the board affects the ride. I have been told a wider tail helps lock into waves. I understand the thickier the board the more it floats but I’ve also been told there is a point where the thickness will negatively affect the performance. Me being a begginer I haven’t realy riden a wide variety of boards.
I agree that a fish is a tough first board - not only to shape but to glass. I'd recommend you take a look at Deadshaper's 'Stoker Vee Machine' thread. That general type of board would be an easier project compared to a fish and would give you many of the same advantages of a fish. Just shaping the inside stringer section of the split tail is a subject in itself. Search 'Buttcrack."
Also, check the home page for Greenlight's grit/rasp shaping tool. It is fairly expensive but looks like a perfect tool for a first timer... likely more help than a power planer. You can skin a blank with a sharp block plane, belt sander or even a mini-plane and do the rest with the rasp and sanding blocks. A power planer can get you in trouble in a hurry if you don't know how to use one.
You will also find helpful: mini-plane, sanding blocks and some upholstery foam with drywall sanding screen for finishing touches.
The 6'5" (A or R) should be good for your project. Since it is a molded blank, the thickness taper of the rails is part way done for you - a big advantage over a rectangular 'sled cut' EPS blank.
A better choice of template material would be Masonite. Head to your local lumber yard and have them cut it in 12" widths. Once you have your curves laid out on one of the 12" Masonite panels, cut out the outline (a little wider than the line) and spend some time smoothing it with your block plane and sanding block - it will be your final outline and you will make your job easier if it is correct from the start. Paper and cardboard are tough to fine tune - you can't whittle/sand them down.
With any luck, a sympathetic Swaylocker living nearby can help you out with specialty tools and advice. Have some beer handy.
do a gloss coat. It will seal any pin holes and will cover any sandthroughs that are bound to happen on your first board.. you don't have to polish, just sand to 320 or 400 and go baptize it. good luck