does anyone know where i can get a blank or foam to shape a 16’ to 19’ paddleboard? it seems like i need to use (eps) foam. could i just go to the hardware store and buy some insulation board and epoxy it together to get the right length and width? or do i need to buy some kind of special foam. also does anyone know how to shape the (eps) foam. it doesnt seem like you cant plane it, it looks like you would have to sand the shape. any info would be very helpful. thanks.
Here’s my Houston supplier, Fry Surfboards: http://www.frysurfboards.com/ Henry sells stock eps blanks, and cuts eps blanks to order. I’m not sure how long Fry blanks can go, but I’ve seen them make paddleboards. Ask Henry or Wyman. EPS blanks come in a rectangle, hot wire cut to rocker and deck templates. Fry sells them with the stringer of your choice. Fry also sells UV treated surfboard epoxy resin. Fry has been using and selling S glass, in my opinion not worth the extra money. He might have some E glass for sale if you ask. Fiberglass supply also sells fiberglass and surfboard UV epoxy out of Bingen, Washington: http://www.fiberglasssupply.com/Product_Catalog/Epoxy/epoxy.html or get it from West Marine at: http://www.westmarine.com The Australian Shaper’s Barrel, mentioned in some of the pros’ posts, is a good drum to put on your planer for shaping EPS foam. It uses abrasives instead of a blade, which will just rip apart EPS. For just a few boards you can use sandpaper to shape EPS. I buy mine at a flooring supply store where they sell it by the roll. To remove lots of foam, glue 60 grit paper directly onto wood. It gouges out foam, be careful. Then transition to 80 grit paper mounted on 1/2 inches of medium density foam rubber, on 1" pine. Shape the bottom amd deck with a block wider than the board x 6"(roughly). You’ll need to experiment with sandpaper over styrofoam curves for shaping the top/nose. Finish shaping with 120 grit paper on soft foam. You can repair your errors and fill cracks with outdoor lightweight spackling compound. Blend the spackling paste with PURIFIED water and paint the entire board. The spackling helps seal the board from soaking up resin during glassing. Make SURE you let ALL the spackling paste TOTALLY dry before glassing to help prevent bubbles. Lightly sand the spackling paste. Be careful of liquid epoxy. It’s HIGHLY allergenic. -Noodle>>> does anyone know where i can get a blank or foam to shape a 16’ to 19’ > paddleboard? it seems like i need to use (eps) foam. could i just go to > the hardware store and buy some insulation board and epoxy it together to > get the right length and width? or do i need to buy some kind of special > foam. also does anyone know how to shape the (eps) foam. it doesnt seem > like you cant plane it, it looks like you would have to sand the shape. > any info would be very helpful. thanks.
does anyone know where i can get a blank or foam to shape a 16’ to 19’ > paddleboard? it seems like i need to use (eps) foam. could i just go to > the hardware store and buy some insulation board and epoxy it together to > get the right length and width? or do i need to buy some kind of special > foam. also does anyone know how to shape the (eps) foam. it doesnt seem > like you cant plane it, it looks like you would have to sand the shape. > any info would be very helpful. thanks. I shaped a lot of these blanks and always used a normal planer in combination with a surfform and sanding paper. Hot wire works to, but after that always the planer. Good luck. Peter Rijk.