Hi
I was going to grab what i needed for a board in the UK but this post http://swaylocks.com/forum/gforum.cgi?post=279331 mentions that Seabase and the Clark blanks being possibly being ‘dregs’?
I checked Homeblown and they end up being more epensive.
Anyone ordered from Seabase recently or can recommend another supplier?
Cheers
Wal
Last time I checked Seabase still had some clarke blanks, I don’t know what sizes are left but the quality should be good. thay also now sell US & EPS blanks with a PVC stringer, which I haven’t tried yet.
Homblown will do a semi shaped blank on thier machine, basically the outline and deck foil is done, but you still need to roll the rails and shape the tails and add any concaves, but if its your first attempt its a good option.
Homeblown foam is a bit more prone to tears but is very good quality, never had a problem with voids or irregular density.
Seabase’s ISOX poly resin is better than Simlar and they also sell Gregs RR epoxy which is great.
Home blown will do triple stringgered blanks and nose and tail blocks, thay also do a balsa blank and sell traditional cloth for inlays.
Both companies are very helpful, just sell slightly different stuff. I usualy go with Seabase and have never had a problem with them, If you can’t find what your after on the web site best give them a call, not every thing they stock is on the site.
Some times I also use CFS fibreglass supply for other items that niether seabase or homeblown stock.
Where You based? delivery is expensive, and dont forget you will need to inspect and sign for the blank, other wise you’ll be unable to get a refund for any damage, you can get them delivered at the weekend but this will cost more.
If you can incorporate driving to the coast for a surf with picking up the blank your self you will save a lot.
Personally if I had a choice I would go with the Clarke foam.
Hope this info helps.
Cheers for that, i will give Seabase a ring.
I’ve read a vast amount of Swaylocks and seen RR epoxy mentioned, do you use that with normal glass cloth? I’ve read that it has very little fumes, which would be good as i could glass in my kitchen (i have no garage etc) What are the differences between it and ISOX?
I’ll google it now 
Deffo check before signing. I had a blank sent over to Holland, got broken. The guy who signed for it never checked it, no refund- fuckers
I switched to Homeblown due to problems getting a response from the Irish Seabase agent. I really like their foam. A small bit heavier and more prone to tearing, but more consistent density and easier to work with once you get a feel for it. Their shipping service is fast and efficient too. Slightly more expensive but worth it imho.
Poly or epoxy, just two different resins, they do the same job in slightly different ways. Pros and cons to both and I’m so over the whole PUPE vs EPX/ESP
The ISO is another poly resin, I find it a bit clearer and thinner that the Simlar and it Gels a bit quicker, which is good in our climate.
If your glassing in the kitchen I would recommend Greg’s epoxy, it’s a bit more expensive but goes further and gives you a bit more working time.
Poly will stink out your whole house and is pretty noxious, and acetone and MEKP catalyst for poly are very nasty chemicals to have in the kitchen.
Well looks like Seabase don’t do Clarks anymore, it’s XTRA blanks. Epxoy RR + hardner comes as a 6l pack for £49.90 which seems reasonable as a 6ft board should take approx 1.2l …
I’m doing a retro fish kinda thing so will have to go for 7’2" mini mal blank…
Anyone used XTRA blanks before?
the blanks that are now available from spider in braunton are very good, though ask for a blank from the new shipment as the first blanks are prone to bubbles, but they are way cheaper than all the otherfoam companies £25 for a 6’4" twinnie blank!!
they shape whiter than clark, good choice for a first shape
ERK! Priced wrong on the RR. It’s £85…quoted for everything i need on ISOX and RR there’s a difference of £60. They have no retro blanks until Jan and the 7’2" was wrong too.
Thanks for everyones advice…
i have used both Xtra & Safari’s latest blanks and they both work really well and are whiter & lighter than Clarks. Get you nearest & cheapest supplier of either, u won’t be dissapointed, i’m sure… cheers
i can only speak from experience…
Tris at Homeblown has lots of time for people. At present dont have the workshop space to hack foam with a power-plane , so the machine does my rough foil and template for me.
Well worth the slight extra cost (15quid) to get a decent product.
And so what if you pay slightly more…you’re helping support a Brittish company AND making a cheap board.
I’ve had heaps of stuff from Homeblown and they have been really good to me, (ok they are friends of mine), I don’t use their machine but I know it does a good job. Their foam is good and consistent, take them a rocker template and they will run up custom rockers no worries. They have a factory in San Diego now so you folk in the US can check it out.
I think the RR from sea base was £65 for 6L or £35 for 3L, plus £2.95 for 250ml of add F. 3L is more than epoxy enough resin to do a shortboard inc a gloss coat.
With the poly you will need the 5L can and also wax in styrene for the hot coat and actone for cleaning up. if you want to do a gloss coat but dont want to buy seperate gloss resin you will also need styrene on its own to thin the normal resin.
If you use poly you will also need to by a respirator (about £25) if using epoxy you can get away with out this.
I’m in to the hot wire thing now, but would go with homeblown for blanks and seabase for resin.
I believe both companies sell a kit (poly) inc every thing you need.
buy the best material you can afford, it will still be cheaper than buying a board made from the same materials.
Heh, i’ll ring up again. I spoke with 2 ppl and got different sizes, prices etc. I did ask for a price lsit to be emailed but nothing as yet, there Website is woefully out of date it seems.
I looked at Homeblown but their website quoted over £100 inc VAT and delivery for 1 blank. I think it was £50 overnight delivery and £11.75 to pack!! Maybe worth ringing them too.
I read that using Add F with RR causes more fumes, how are you finding it (given that i intend on glassing inside my house unless i can find a garage nearby to borrow)
Cheers folks
Wal
After a phone call to HB…
£47 for blank
£10 packing
£13 delivery
All exclusive of VAT…
That sounds about right for delivery, the £11.75 is per 1-4 blanks I think, its an extra £12 aswell to get it delivered on a Sat if you have work and need to sign for it.
I think the £50 is 3-5 day delivery and its an extra £50 for next day.
I think I usually pay £60-70 just on packing delivery and VAT. some times more expencive than the blank itself but they are large, delicate objects and not easy to deliver.
If buying multiple blanks the cost of delivery per blank goes down. If you have a friend with a van, drive down for a surf and pick the blank up on the way back.
The high delivery coast is one of the reasons I’m looking into hotwiring my own blanks.
I’ve got a pricelist That I can send you if you want just PM me
cheers Joe
All in all it’s working out approx £195. That’s a semi-shaped blank from Homeblown and 3L RR + Add F + plug + 8m of wide 6oz glass from Seabase.
I mentioned using RR to the guy at HB and his reaction made me think i shouldn’t consider it.Glassing for the first time should i really be looking at using poly?
I like the sound of using RR, less fumes and seems a simpler task to wet the cloth with it. I’d appreciate any advice and tips for RR and reason NOT to use it.
Yebo bru,
you in NL also, what you using now for blanks?
Deffo check before signing. I had a blank sent over to Holland, got broken. The guy who signed for it never checked it, no refund- fuckers
When did Spider start to sell blanks? That’s f***in A news, that’s gonna make my life way easier. Nice one Paul! Is there a web site?
no website but they have a few contact numbers.
07737598032 (brendan)
07737277250 (jamie)
01637850073 ( fax/workshop)
also connexion technology in bristol will be selling actua blanks from france soon