I would like to start off by saying that i am by no means an experienced backyard surfboard shaper.To date i have completed 3 Pu/Pe surfboards and shaped another 2 but not yet glassed them.
I would like to have a go at a composite board after my current projects are done ,which is where my question comes into play.I do not seem to be able to find anwhere to get large enough blocks of eps to have a crack at a composite board.
So far my efforts have been google searches which do not seem to have given me any results.
What i was wondering is if there are any Kiwis using this site who are currently making composites and know where to source EPS foam from ,or whether or not any of you can give me any ideas on where i might be able to find any.
Expol in Auckland can supply a 3630 x 1230 x 630 block. Their Phone # is 09 634 3449. They’ll ship. Barnes Plastics has 2700 x 1220 x 620 blocks. Never dealt with them though. Phone# 09 579 9725.
Also Insultech, Forman Insulation, Best Insulation, and Lang Plastics. All in Auckland. I’ve talked to all these places in the past but never bought anything from them.
Just scored several years suply of foam at my local auction yard. It’s a hassle trying to find someplace to put it though.
Paul turned me on to Adhesive Technologies for resin. I think the guys name is Collin - very helpful.
Paul is Seabase in NZ? Didn’t know that. Wouldn’t mind giving RR a go.
You could try Pete Anderson at Anderson surfboards for Marko if you ask him nicely enough. He might ask you to supply an APS3000 file though as he might want to preshape it first rather than just sell it straight off. Also Shapers Australia are the distributors for ATL composites Kinetik surfboard epoxy. This stuff is supposed to be very similar to Resin Research and much cheaper. Hardcore Surf Products and Seabase(?) are agents for Shapers Oz.
Board builders cooperative- I’m in. I always try to buy in bulk. The great thing about composite construction is that it’s mostly industrial materials- you don’t have to deal with the surf industry at all except for stuff like fins and leashes ect. Actually I hate leashes. If it’s not rocky I give them a miss. Been making some of my own fins too but it takes time.
^^^^yeah the board builders co op doesnt sound like a bad idea ,i could definately be interested depending on what sort of cost we are talking about(all financial decisions must be run by Mrs Hunty first though :)).
…you might ant to check into Fiberglass Hawaii’s epoxy. Ted Wilson is the owner and has been supplying resin to Oz by container for years. He also became a partner in U.S. Blanks (pu foam)…he has very good epoxy that many feel is better than Resin Research (sorry Greg) and also is non blushing and will accept a polyester finish coat…can’t do that w/West Systems to my knowledge.
I’m willing to bet F.H. has a supply source in NZ…I’ll check for ya.
Wanted to clarify that we’re here for you guys. We’ve spent a lot of time researching into epoxy EPS. From the work we’ve done and from extensive trial and error in Europe we’ve opted to run with Marko and Resin Research. Marko is expensive but it’s our choice because of it’s ease of use and tightly fused bead.
RR will shortly be available in smaller quantities - hopefully within the next 3 weeks.
We currently have a shipment on the water - hopefully prices will come down with the strength of the dollar.
Note that Marko’s parabolic stringer blanks are available in three weeks!
I’ll happily work you out a good price if you want to sample Marko/RR.