SENIOR PROJECT

For the last month of senior year at my school we do something called senior project where each student does something of there choosing. I am going to build a surfboard for mine. I have been surfing for most of my life and already built one board this summer.  I have created this thread so that I can keep my teachers updated and I will be posting my progress and or  pictures every day. 

Im 6’ 1" 150lbs and I am planning on this board being for Florida waves(which i here are quite weak and mushy) but otherwise it will end up in my garage in South jersey. 

Now that you guys point it out, it does look a little to wide and such, Im going to redesign.

Thanks

DAY 1

Today I drew up a plan for a shaping rack. Then I picked up lumber from Home Depot. Finally, I measured and cut the lumber.  

DAY 1

Today I drew up a plan for a shaping rack. Then I picked up lumber from Home Depot. Finally, I measured and cut the lumber.  

DAY 1

Today I drew up a plan for a shaping rack. Then I picked up lumber from Home Depot. Finally, I measured and cut the lumber.

Looks like the first day was total deja vu, for you.

Groundhogs Day.

Good luck. I’ve mentored students doing their senior projects in board building. PM me if you are in the area. I’m a builder and teacher familiar with the process you’re starting. (Kinda late isn’t it?)

what is this??? haha im a senior in high school too and ive never even dreamed of anything like this at my school. pm me if you want little garage builder tips. i want to see how this build turns out

Like NJ said if you live close to the New Jersey area we are here to help.

KeithComly001.jpg picture by tjrm63keithsfinalshape012.jpg picture by tjrm63keithsfinalshape011.jpg picture by tjrm63kethsboardfinished012.jpg picture by tjrm63 This is Keith and he came to me for his Senior project  and I taught him from start to finish how to build a board, to many pics of each step to post. He got an A+ .  We are here to help

Tom

wow thanks for all the offers for help guys.  I haven’t been able to access the forum for the past few days so thats why i have not posted. So i will just summarize what i got done since last monday.[img_assist|nid=1050770|title=rack1|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=75][img_assist|nid=1050771|title=rack2|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=75]  I assembled my rack  and made it length adjustable. Also, i finished creating my outline using the shaping software “AKU SHAPER”. I attached a pdf summery of my outline. It is going to have a swallow tail but you can’t but that in using the software. Thats all ive done so far because i have been busy with lacrosse and ap exams, but i am going to be getting a lot more done in the weeks to come.

Today i printed and put together my outline, then traced it on to my board. After measuring to check everything was symmetrical i cut it out and sanded it down precisely to the line. Finally i sanded the crusty layer off the blank. I still haven’t added the swallow tail, anybody have any tips on shaping it?

Don’t add the swallow until the end.

Get the thickness and rocker correct first, then do the rails.

I think your template could use some work, and think you are going too thin. Are you open to making changes to the design that you posted?

What tools are you using?

yea im definitely open to changing  but i already cut the outline into the board so it can only get smaller at this point. In terms of it being to thin, i just sort off went random with the program thats not what im planning on. 

Im doing all hand tools so handsaw, sandpaper attached to wood or sponges, surform and i have a little planner for the stringer. 

How tall and how much do you weigh?

What kind of waves will you be riding?

 

What you have is pretty wide, 22 3/8" at the center, so there is still room to modify.

 

I think your wide point is too far forward, it should be closer to the center.

I agree with obproud. 1-1/2 is much too thin. And 22-3/8 is ridiculously wide for a 5’6".

you can keep the board at around 22" wide if you want...i wouldnt go over 21" for such a short board though...definitely move the widepoint back...if you want to surf it with a heavy front foot i would put the wide point just about where your front foot is going to be

 

Damn… Don’t your parents feed you?

I’m 5’10 and 150, and I’m a skinny sumbitch.

HAHA yea they feed me alot.

Today i redesigned the outline and created another template. I cut it out and and squared the rails. Finally i began thinning the blank out a bit but had to stop due to it drizziling. [img_assist|nid=1050821|title=cut|desc=|link=none|align=right|width=100|height=75] This is what i ended up with.

I thought i posted yesterday but i guess it didn’t save. Yesterday i put in the concave and countour. IT ended up being 2 5/8 thick and i put in a 5mm single concave in the front that fades to flat in the back. Today, i shaped the rails. I kept it hard for the bottom third of the board and 60/40 for the rest. I also cut out the swallow tail but im not really sure how to shape the inside rails, any tips?