While browsing through an old magazine during my morning ‘deposit’ I came across an article by Skip Engblom, in which he explains his method of sanding. It’s from the old column called Surfer Tips and the the issue is from early 1974.
I thought I’d share, as some might appreciate one pro’s take on sanding.
Sanding and Polishing are two thankless Jobs. Doing production sanding is hard work. I am always amazed at the skill it takes to do production sanding. You have to have the right touch all the time. Don’t ask how I know That a 5000 RPM machine can burn through a glass job in seconds
…that s ok but too general for a rookie; not enough details, like what type of soft pad, triggering, etc.
Also, that was a time in which all boards had a polished gloss coat…
The sanding process depends on what type of finish you want. In most boards you have 3 finishes: gloss(polished or sanded), sanded hot coat and speed finish spray coat.
For example, if you want a sanded HC, and you start sanding with 60 grit, you cannot get rid of those marks and scratches also will be too much for that thin finish.
Another situation is if you have an inlay on the lamination or panels onto the hot coat, etc.
—the main tricks in the sanding process are: with what grit you should start, when stop with each grit (to not leave marks), apply pressure or do not, triggering, low rpms, side lights if you are a rookie, the right pads
SammyA somewhere in the late 70’s early 80’s (me thinks) C.R. Stecyk III had a shot of Skip and his dog at the time.
I will say. in 20 years ive never started a board with 60 grit. I cant even imagine running 60 grit at 5k rpms. Guess thats how he did bottoms in 2 passes.
My statement was more of a wow thats impressive as opposed to a wtf is this guy doing.
Still the same old process for a sand for gloss…very cool share.
I figured some of the viejos on here would know who Skip is. That was the main reason for posting it. Plus, I thought it was interesting to show that a guy involved in building boards shared his technique way back when.
Now, if I could just log in here without having to do it twice before it works, that would be cool.
BTW, for those not familiar with the name, Engblom was played by Heath Ledger in the movie Lords of Dogtown
that was an awesome piece of history and understood you didn’t post it as a guide for beginners LOL
Ahhh, the good ol’ days… Cigs and beers and fritos in the sanding room, 5000 rpm Milwaukees and 60 grit paper, boards weren’t the only things getting buzzed.
I believe it’s well known that old Skip liked to party. Think about him going at a freshly glassed shape with a 5000 rpm grinder loaded with 60 grit and under the influence of who knows what. Not for amateurs or rookies.
Kids, please don’t try this at home. - Buffalo Bob
Reminds me of Luke the master sander. Surfin’ cold Sand Diego in mid-winter in only his trunks and fiberglass dust covered flannel cause it “needs a wash bro”. He put the core in hard core and can trigger his Milwaukee with the best - an extension of mind and body. Last I heard he was living well in Puerto Escondido. Sand finish, Gloss and Polish no problem - Luke is all about the barrel.
Great Article
Thanks for the post. The guy was a legend. That was alot of info for the day. You had to figure out the rest on your own. I’v e still got an old 5000 RPM that I bought in 1970. Yes, I know what it means to trigger a sander.
He said he finished at 100. Next time read the article. Yeah, I know he’s one of those guys from Cal. that you resent. Where you from?
You’re talking 1994. Skip is talkin’ 1974. Back then hotcoats were fat. Laminators have gotten better over the years partly because cloth has gotten better. Resin has gotten better. Sanders have gotten better(variable speed) etc. etc. With quality cloth and quality resin. The fat hot coat is a thing of the past. Sixty was a necessity back then. He may have been oversimplifying with the two pass comment.
Skip does ding repair for Aqua Tech which is Scott Andersons operation in Santa Monica/Marina Del Rey. Had a few boards glassed there and some repairs…probably 10 years ago±
“Negative thoughts create Negative sticks.”
Going to put that up next time I shape. His skateboards were pretty cool too. I may even have an old Santa Monica Airlines plane sticker in my old sticker box??? Thanks for the post. Very cool.
