PU blank preferences

An innocent question not intended to ruffle any feathers…

When it comes to Polyurethane Blanks, which of the “new guys” (I know some of them have been around for a long time) do you prefer?

I ask because I have only used Walker and Just Foam since Clark’s been gone. I didn’t care too much for the Just Foam glue up. Walkers been OK, but seemed soft and heavy (not a great combo), and its a pain to get rid of the belly in the 9-3. Also, if Clark-dust got in your eye it wasn’t too bad, just rinse it out. With Walker it feels like there’s shards of glass in there (time to invest in some good goggles).


i’ve shaped two boards with US FOAM blanks, they still go under the name Clark foam at their warehouse and the have high quality PU blanks… Have factory in cali i believe

i use U.S. Blanks (Clark) and Walker…and i like 'em both.

did a search for “blanks” found this one http://www.swaylocks.com/forum/gforum.cgi?post=317369;search_string=pu%20blanks;#317369

Rhyno blanks are good, if you can get them.

I’m a complete newb, so I’m sure my opinion doesn’t carry much weight, but for what it’s worth I thought Surfblanks America were great to work with, KingMac was pretty good, and US blanks were way too soft and heavy (but cut like butter).

I might be missing something, but I can’t see why anyone would want a soft blank that lacks uniform density for a performance shortboard given the current options…???

I just started a repair on a US Blank blue foam board where foam under the thruster box on my O’fish’l got crushed all the way up to the deck. Never seen that before. On this same board, the foam has compressed on the entire board and you can now see a ridge top and bottom where my stringer is. Not real happy with it. On the other hand, all of my US Blank green foam boards are doing great. I have 2 more blue foam blanks, after that, it’s green all the way. BTW–using 6oz “S” cloth and epoxy.

I’ve shaped a whopping three PU blanks, post-Clark.

One Walker 10’3"- fine, same as it ever was. Nice, solid foam, no problems. Still takes a dozen passes on the bottom before you even get close to thickness.

One Surfblanks USA 10’4" - I’d do that one again in a heartbeat. Great foam, white, firm, crisp, didn’t suck resin…and still white, 6 or 8 months later. The stock t-band stringer is a nice touch.

One US Foam 10’8". Won’t buy another. Glue bubble in a void right next to the stringer, twist in the blank, porosity sucked my lam almost dry in a couple spots. Triple (not a typo!) 4 oz on the deck PLUS a 4 oz knee-paddle patch, and I had knee dents after 15 sessions or less. And no, it wasn’t about startup-trauma - that was the most recent one. Just like Clark - sure, its great for production guys to get close-tolerance stuff that’s soft enough that it doesn’t wear down their tools. But its not at all what I want to work with - or as a finished product. The board should last longer than production takes, so the foam should be designed for the product, not the process.

Quote:

The board should last longer than production takes, so the foam should be designed for the product, not the process.

that’s the Surfblanks America philosophy…probably inspired by people just like you. i gotsta try me some of that foam…

I have put in more than my few cents worth on Surfblanks Aus. a few times on other threads. White, consistent and hard. The longboards that I have run thru a local glass shop come out lighter than other shaper’s who are using other foams(mostly US and Walker). It took me awhile to adjust to shaping them, mostly due to their hardness. Slow down with the planer and hand tools to avoid tears. Learn to power-sand. Power-sanding has sped up the process. Haven’t tried it yet, but a “shapers barrel” would probably help.

McDing, you’re right about the barrel. The “real” shaper buddy of mine that brought me the Surfblanks blank, told me to go ahead & use his shaping room & his grit barrel-equipped planer. Worked like a dream - perfect combination. That foam cleans up real nice with a Pleskunas grit block, too - you can really lean on it & move fast but it won’t distort or dig in, just glides over the planer marks & scratches. Some guys finish with the planer & go straight to sanding, but I’m not one, I like the grit block.

Where can a small time backyard/garage budding shaper and tinkerer, get some of this Surfblanks America foam for a few small projects. I’m in the North LA County/ Socal area? Rather pick-up to avoid expensive shipping fees.

http://www.surfblanksamerica.com/surfboard_blanks_contact.php

Best I can do, since I’m up north.

Nomad:

I just got two Surfblanks last week but it was a project. Right now they

have a warehouse in Carpenteria to service all of SB/LA & OC. There

is one sales guy north of the border who I met and he seemed like

a stand up guy. It took me almost a month to get my blanks. It took

a lot of phone calls to get them sent after they were ordered, but they

finally got delivered. OC distribution should improve in the future as they

will have a local vendor soon. Don’t know about up your way, but check

the price of gas before you go driving to the warehouse as delivery might

be cheaper!!

The good thing is that they will deliver if you order two or more

blanks and pay in check or cash and establish an account up front.

On the blanks I received they are the best of the Aussie foam so far

and the stringers are great. The cut is straight on both the blanks,

a 6’8" & 9’3". The rockers are interesting as they are Aussie influenced

as well and can help you shape up something a bit different that Clark

(US Foam). The foam is hard and crisp like Midget says and I hope that

it will hold up better than the rest as the boards I’m shaping are for

Indo this summer. Will post the results when they are finished but the

rough out of the 6’8" was good so far.

BKB

Basham’s in San Clemente carries Surfblanks… not sure about their selection but they had the basics when I needed them.

Bennett Blanks work,and Walkers too !

I am definitaly interested in shaping a Bennet and a King Mac. Haven’t got around to it yet. Going to yhe Mainland in a couple of weeks and expect to take my planers and get a shot at them.

Mac:

You will like the King Mac a lot. The Bennetts are great foam

but the stringer work needs to get better. A lot of the blanks need

to be glued at the tip as there is seperation of the foam from the

stringer. Also, their glue stains the foam a yellow (mixed too hot?)

and if you are going for a foam white, you will need to spray the

blank white to cover this. I do like their foam and even better, their

pricing is great. Make sure you bring new blades for your planer

as the aussie foam is harder than Clark. (or carbides) I have started

to use two planers to shape with, one with blades and the other with

a barrel to smooth out the blank. Works really well on the Aussie foam.

Just my two cents, but I have shaped all the available foams in the

past month to see who gets my $$$ in the long run. The computer guys

might have a different take on their preferences so if you do pre-shapes

consider their advice…

I use Bennett USA, KM, and Walker. The new Bennett’s are the best by far. A few months back they changed their glue to a PU glue there is no more yellowing and the stringers are very straight. They just released the new ISO Foam which is even whiter and stronger plus their plug selection is fantastic. KM slipped a little a few months back but seem to be ok as of lately. Walker I like the longboard foam as long as you don’t mind a heavier glass job. Surfblanks very hard to plane need to try a drum but the ISO Bennett is easier to plan and fine sands nicely and seems just as strong with good flex so I’m stoked. What an improvement from 30 years of Clarks!

shaped a US Blank (longboard) recently. Nice foam, easy to work with, no complaints - with the exception of the stringer being a bit bowed in the center.