I just shaped my first board, a 6’ 7" 20 3/4" wide a bit forward of center, rounded tail egglike thing. Kinda modeled after a Takayama egg. I have a couple of questions after not finding my answers in the archives et al. First, I laminated the bottom last evening in my cool basement in Portland Oregon. I had a couple of lights and a space heater. It gelled nicely in an hour, but still today it feels sticky to my fingernail. It feels dry to finger tips and “clacks” when struck by fingernails. Is this normal? Will the hot coat (in a few days) harden it up? Also, I recall poorly from discussions years ago perhaps wiping the board with acetone on a rag will speed hardening. Will this work?
Secondly I’d like to put a single fin on it. I’m looking at flex fins but am open to advice. I’d like to know a good size of fin as well as type. The board is 20 3/4 at it’s widest. 14" a foot back from nose and tail. flat up front slight roll towards rails with a lot of vee from center to tail.
Thirdly I screwed up and got the tail to thin. I think if I have the tail of the fin box at 7" from tail I can fit it in. Is it ok to mill down the fin box to be thinner? Thanks folks. I love the site and have been lurking for a while. Without Swaylocks it would have taken me much longer to start in on this.
I just shaped my first board, a 6' 7" 20 3/4" wide a bit forward of center, rounded tail egglike thing. Kinda modeled after a Takayama egg. I have a couple of questions after not finding my answers in the archives et al. First, I laminated the bottom last evening in my cool basement in Portland Oregon. I had a couple of lights and a space heater. It gelled nicely in an hour, but still today it feels sticky to my fingernail. It feels dry to finger tips and "clacks" when struck by fingernails. Is this normal? Will the hot coat (in a few days) harden it up? Also, I recall poorly from discussions years ago perhaps wiping the board with acetone on a rag will speed hardening. Will this work?
Lam resin will stay tacky, after you hot coat it it will all be good.
Secondly I'd like to put a single fin on it. I'm looking at flex fins but am open to advice. I'd like to know a good size of fin as well as type. The board is 20 3/4 at it's widest. 14" a foot back from nose and tail. flat up front slight roll towards rails with a lot of vee from center to tail.
Show us some pics
Thirdly I screwed up and got the tail to thin. I think if I have the tail of the fin box at 7" from tail I can fit it in. Is it ok to mill down the fin box to be thinner? Thanks folks. I love the site and have been lurking for a while. Without Swaylocks it would have taken me much longer to start in on this.
I wouldnt tweek the box too much, someone allready figured out what size it should be.
I’m by no means an expert, but I am in P-town also and have a board I built very slowly over the last year or so… Anyway, I’d say it’s all about the percentage of catalyst and the temp in your basement, but I think you’re fine- the lam coat stays tacky since it has no wax in it. I wouldn’t rush into trying to fix anything, but I think I recall seeing that acetone thing in “The Ding Repair Scriptures”. I would keep the fingerprints off though so your hot coat goes on well. Also, vapors can be flammable so be careful… I did a gloss coat in my garage in Dec. with a couple of space heaters cranked, and I was a bit nervous the whole place was going to blow.
Check the “single fin late drop” thread just posted for some fin comments from people who know way more than me.
Good luck, and PM me if you want to chat board building in Portland.
Thanks alot, that sounds great. I will however need to wipe off my finger prints because I keep touching it. And right after I posted, I saw that single fin thread, it was very helpful. I’ll try to get some photos up with the help of a friend, I have a few from the process and you can see my caveman shaping area, no side lights of blue paint etc. Thanks again.