rocker table help

General Discussion
1

I’m trying to make a skimboard (foam) and I was just wondering how to get the rocker into the foam using a rocker table and not vacuum bagging. I was thinking making the table and then putting the fiberglass on and then before it sets push it down on the table with clamps. but wouldn’t the epoxy just set on the table. Any help any appreciated. Thanks in advance.

2

Haven’t tried this, but a couple thoughts came to mind:

  1. Shape the rocker into the foam, like any surfboard.

OR (and this sounds like what you want)

  1. Instead of using one piece of foam, use two of 1/2 your desired thickness. Glue them up on your rocker table, and it should retain the shape once your glue is fully set. Then glass. Might work?

Pat

3

Pat you really need 4 layers to hold the curve in a lamination, 3 if the outside layers are very thin.

.

4

Hey Action,

Use saran wrap or wax paper on the table. Resin doesn’t stick to it. you would also want to make the pressure even on all parts as much as you can. try adding some planks to your clamps to distribute the pressure. Hope that helps.

Rio

5

thanks for your help. I like that glueing idea. And thanks for telling me that wax paper and saran wrap don’t stick to epoxy.

Thanks again.

6

Do you know if epoxy will stick to poly sheeting? I just made a vacuum bag out of polyethylene sheeting (for painters from Home Depot). I was under the impression that nothing would stick to it. I think Bert said in one of his posts that nothing sticks to plastic but maybe I should ask to make sure and avoid disasters.

7

You’re good, nothing will stick.

8

I’ve had problems with epoxy sticking to wax paper. Could have just been my fault, but if you’re going to be applying a lot of pressure to the wax paper you don’t want it to possibly stick. Saran wrap looks like it might be better.

9

I’m trying to make a skimboard (foam) and I was just wondering how to get the rocker into the foam using a rocker table and not vacuum bagging. I was thinking making the table and then putting the fiberglass on and then before it sets push it down on the table with clamps. but wouldn’t the epoxy just set on the table. Any help any appreciated. Thanks in advance.

This is super easy and you have many choices w/o using vac.

Im assuming SB rocker is very small, say 1/2 inch or less at each end. Depending on the type of foam your using:

  1. place the blank on a flat table and prop up the ends to generate a curve, depends on foam’s ability to band nicely. Laminate one side, wait to cure. Flip, laminate other side ensuring rocker stays put. Once both sides are lammed, rocker is locked in place, you can proceed to add more layers without worry.

  2. alternatively, you can lam one side on a flat table. After cured, turn it over to lam the other side, this time, proping up the ends to generate your curve.

  3. if your foam doesnt bend nicely, use a nice sheet of plywood, say 1/4-3/8" or so thick and bend similarly. Place your blank on top and lam/proceed as described above. With sheet plastic you can lam both sides in one step (epoxy).

Btw, I’ve vac boards quite a bit and generally speaking, vac baggin is getting a bit too much emphasis. Many times its easier to avoid it and great results can be had without it.