Ben Wei makes small wave grovelers. Everyone that has had one of his boards loves them. He looks like he’s doing very well for himself in Japan. Here’s a big wave surfer ripping one of his boards in Japan. Judging by his liberal use of the sureform, I don’t think he learned from the Genius. He’s doing something right, though.
maybe he’s self-taught? I enjoyed the video anyway
4 1/2 hours - how much time do they give you in the shape-off?
I was sneezing just watching all that dust.
cool video, i reckon i take about as long maybe longer.
i use my planer for concaves and rails but then i guess i spend alot of time blocking after.
It would be cool if everyone chucked up a video of themselves shaping sometime.
maybe a video thread ?? shaping and/or surfing your own board.
Good idea! Maybe you SHOULD show us how it’s done - fins out !
FML
…
Just not worth the effort.
What’s wrong with me saying he should “show us how it’s done.” I don’t think I’m taunting him at all. I’m just wanting to see his idea ( him surfing and shaping)on video – since he came up with the idea!
I think I might just do that jim
Just for you mate.
I’ll do it to! Lol.it sounds fun. It’s always hard to find people w video camera, camera etc…I have 2 pics of me surfing at " the hook " and maui…but I gotta find em in wa state (sister’s house) in a album.
Have fun w vid!
About vid here: I think he should use two hands + a weight of sorts to steady blank…also, cut at a slight angle at the sides…str8 cut down middle is k. But pretty good for self-taught!
I’m Thinking Jim Phillips could make a killing if he opened a Shaping school in Japan. The Japanese have a lot of respect for fine craft work. With some proper training just think what the guy could produce.
Lol…I think I planed similar to -Ben when I first ran a planer! I just didn’t know anything otherwise… It’ll work. As for cutting on a angle, I can’t tell you why it’s supposed to be better? I’ve heard it tears less, but I don’t know? It seems to cut slightly better on nose flip (deck side)… but I cross cut there FWIW. Watch more vids - you’ll see what I’m talkin about! I gtg up a ladder! Spray n a house! Be safe w tools guys! Ltr !
Hated seeing the guy with his hand on the rail in front of the planer. I shudder to think what his thumb would look like if he took a pass over it…
Ben’s a nice guy.
Good for him.
15 min.shape.
I think not.
It is kinda amusing watching someone shape a board in 4-1/2 hours time.
If he had to do several a day, he’d quicken his techniques. ( I hope).
I did 4-5 a day, 5 days a week for a while.
By hand.
I shaved a lot of time off by learning planer techniques (observing and applying what I learned).
Can only learn that by working with shapers better than yourself.
Bill knows what I mean.
I think this is a good sign of how handshaping is these days.
For the most part the only guys taking it up are creative backyarder types who are mostly self taught (myself included) and have never had the chance to be exposed to proper techniques or production environments.
I think theres alot to be said by doing 5 a day that lets you really dial in your technique to a point where shaping becomes a fluid extension of your arms and mind. And with that comes quickness. I guess for us modern newby shapers this will never be possible with the CNC dominance, at best I may be able to shape 2-4 boards a month so I suppose the learning curve is way longer than back in the 60s-90s when you guys could practice your skills on a regular basis.
Good point Zack.
I guess as long as it is done by hand,
however long it takes,
as long as shapers learn to use their hands and eyes,
thr craft will survive.
Your board are looking good Zack.
Keep it up!
Zac i follow your instagram, your boards are beautiful mate.
The guy gets it done his way even if it does take at least a couple of hours longer than it should. The Japanese are keen on learning “proper technique”, They expect a “why” though. An Explanation. You can’t rag too hard on guys that are self taught. They just don’t know any better. That little board sure worked good in that slop/shit surf. So that’s a plus. With a little instruction the guy would be a “Gen Su genius”. Lowel
A lot of people around Sways could learn something from Zack. He came to this Site anf listened and learned. Asked thoughtful questions and applied what he learned. Now he’s (if I dare say so) a master board bui8lder. Seriously folks. This guy has gotten good. Lowel