There’s a pretty important lesson in the Phillip’s Video, which will likely turn out in the end to be an extremely important lesson, at least for me - and that’s in the way the construction of a board is approached. I basically copied my approach to building a board from someone who had been shown by someone else out in CA. It seemed logical, each step to be done in sequence and brought to completion; straighten out blank, cut and finish template, do and finish bottom, do and finish deck, do and finish rails, then do finish sanding. Its probably a good way to learn, the only problem is that my boards kind of look like I followed a rigid sequence, that is … they’re a sum of parts, but not really a whole. My boards seem to surf fine, and I’m not sure you average weekend surfer would really be able to pick up on such subtleties, or at least given what I’m charging for the boards they’re not likely to really care (basically costs, including McDonalds wages for hours spend, facility costs and a little little profit)… but I see the problem, especially now after having made a few boards. When I hit 12 boards, or when I seem to be making a little progress in the craftsmanship side of things, I began to sense the slight disconnect between deck bottom, rails etc. So I started to cheat a little and moved around a bit, deck, bottom rails, back to the bottom. Maybe I would have hit upon a good approach, after a “thousand boards” but that’s a maybe. Jim’s approach is far more natural and balanced, at least I see it that way. You may be able to analyze a surfboard in terms of this section or that, but in the end it is a bended whole and … Phillip’s surfboards are more than the sum of their parts. If you haven’t ordered the video, I recommend you do. It will be the best 59 bucks you will ever spend. The tool tips alone are worth the cost. I can’t wait for the glassing video. I can’t wait to shape my next blank - in my gut, I know my shapes are about to take a quantum leap… Kevin
There’s a pretty important lesson in the Phillip’s Video, which will > likely turn out in the end to be an extremely important lesson, at least > for me - and that’s in the way the construction of a board is approached.>>> I basically copied my approach to building a board from someone who had > been shown by someone else out in CA. It seemed logical, each step to be > done in sequence and brought to completion; straighten out blank, cut and > finish template, do and finish bottom, do and finish deck, do and finish > rails, then do finish sanding.>>> Its probably a good way to learn, the only problem is that my boards kind > of look like I followed a rigid sequence, that is>>> … they’re a sum of parts, but not really a whole.>>> My boards seem to surf fine, and I’m not sure you average weekend surfer > would really be able to pick up on such subtleties, or at least given what > Im charging for the boards they’re not likely to really care (basically > costs, including McDonalds wages for hours spend, facility costs and a > little little profit)… but I see the problem, especially now after > having made a few boards.>>> When I hit 12 boards, or when I seem to be making a little progress in the > craftsmanship side of things, I began to sense the slight disconnect > between deck bottom, rails etc. So I started to cheat a little and moved > around a bit, deck, bottom rails, back to the bottom. Maybe I would have > hit upon a good approach, after a thousand boards but thats a maybe.>>> Jims approach is far more natural and balanced, at least I see it that > way. You may be able to analyze a surfboard in terms of this section or > that, but in the end it is a bended whole and>>> … Phillips surfboards are more than the sum of their parts.>>> If you havent ordered the video, I recommend you do. It will be the best > 59 bucks you will ever spend. The tool tips alone are worth the cost.>>> I cant wait for the glassing video.>>> I can’t wait to shape my next blank - in my gut, I know my shapes are > about to take a quantum leap…>>> Kevin Kevin, you’ve hit the nail squarely. When Tinker, owner of Challenger Surfboards, took me in to shape and apprentice for him, would jump my bones when he would see me suddenly stop doing the phase I was on and go to a different spot on the board. It was “what are you doing” “you’re turning a rail and you go and fiddle with the tip of the nose”. It is SO important to set your routine and follow it rigorisly, complete what you are doing, then move on to the next step. Each piece of the puzzle falls into place as you complete the last step. Being in a hurry is one of the biggest enemies, even myself, when I try to speed through one phase it catches up with me down the line and I have a debt to pay back time wise.
Kevin, you’ve hit the nail squarely. When Tinker, owner of Challenger > Surfboards, took me in to shape and apprentice for him, would jump my > bones when he would see me suddenly stop doing the phase I was on and go > to a different spot on the board. It was “what are you doing” > “you’re turning a rail and you go and fiddle with the tip of the > nose”. It is SO important to set your routine and follow it > rigorisly, complete what you are doing, then move on to the next step. > Each piece of the puzzle falls into place as you complete the last step. > Being in a hurry is one of the biggest enemies, even myself, when I try to > speed through one phase it catches up with me down the line and I have a > debt to pay back time wise. Jim, we need help… where’s the glassing video! Sometimes I think the only reason my boards float are because of all the bubbles. (Sadly, some of the people who have bought my boards seem to think the same thing.) Sure, I get better with each one, but you’ve spoiled me (us) now… … where’s the glassing video! … we want the glassing video… we want the glassing video … (somebody smack me…)
Jim, we need help… where’s the glassing video!>>> Sometimes I think the only reason my boards float are because of all the > bubbles. (Sadly, some of the people who have bought my boards seem to > think the same thing.) Sure, I get better with each one, but you’ve > spoiled me (us) now…>>> … where’s the glassing video! … we want the glassing video… we want > the glassing video … (somebody smack me…) Here is the current plan for completion of the series.Jim is going to be here on the East Coast around the end of september.He is going to do some shaping to cover things that we did’t get the first time…tail blocks,nose blocks etc. He will also do a segment on actually building some tools.We may also do segment on shaping a little 6’0’’ high performance thruster.Clay Bennett has also agreed to join the fun, he is a really good craftsman in all phases and does really nice retro style acid splashes,tints etc.He may shape us as board also…it would be interesting to see another shaper’s techniques.We plan to cover it all…with a lot of detail.God bless guys like Jim and Clay for doing this,they are willing to share it all for little or no money.Editing took alot of time on the first video and people patiently waited…the next segment will move along in a more timely manner.The Damascus film guys want to thank you for all of the positive comments.
Here is the current plan for completion of the series.Jim is going to be > here on the East Coast around the end of september.He is going to do some > shaping to cover things that we did’t get the first time…tail > blocks,nose blocks etc. He will also do a segment on actually building > some tools.We may also do segment on shaping a little 6’0’’ high > performance thruster.Clay Bennett has also agreed to join the fun, he is a > really good craftsman in all phases and does really nice retro style acid > splashes,tints etc.He may shape us as board also…it would be interesting > to see another shaper’s techniques.We plan to cover it all…with a lot of > detail.God bless guys like Jim and Clay for doing this,they are willing to > share it all for little or no money.Editing took alot of time on the first > video and people patiently waited…the next segment will move along in a > more timely manner.The Damascus film guys want to thank you for all of the > positive comments. I ordered my copy today and can’t wait to see it. I already own shaping 101, glassing 101, airbrushing 101, and Carve it up. From what i’m hearing this is going to be a lot better then the other tapes out there. I’m stoke and can’t wait. Later, Stephen Berube