Hey everybody. My names Tom Grimes and I am a shaper/glasser from New York. I made a youtube video of me shaping a board. Feel free to say what you feel about it. Thanks.
Who am I to say anything about this? But I sincerely would like to see some of the masters’ comments.
The thing with those videos all over the web is that people looking for info won’t be able to make the difference between what’s good and what’s not. At the same time, I feel guilty saying this as I posted some videos myself (and of course I’m no master, so I’d better keep my mouth shut…)
Did you have fun?
I hope not too many will use this as a guide.
I applaud your effort. Now would be a good time to learn from someone that truly understands the craft of making a board.
The first thing I did when I decided to start shaping these wake surf boards was to start watching youtube vids. I quickly came to the conclusion that it’s a good way to pick up bad habits and or technique. IMHO theirs no substitute for hands on, I’ve learned way more reading what you guys post way more than watching a vid. I see in my head how it’s suppose to play out, now if I can transfer that to the board I’ll be good. Like Yorky said did you have fun?
For less than the cost of the tattoo’s, you could have gotten several instructional videos that would have saved my sanity.
The outline had a major bulge in it, the planer needs to go to the alignment shop, it constantly is pulling to the left and and the rear tires must be bald as it skidded sideways along the deck and rails.
You need to scrap your methods, go back to square one and work on a plan, learn how to use the planer, the rails were never touched with it, too much scrubbing with sponge pad and sanding block in one spot, but you certainly have the signature part down pat.
I ate my share of crap while learning, it only made me more determined be be the best
Jim the G’s opening line is a crack up and so true. Was this shot out of sequence? I don’t understand the back and forth from planing to hand sanding to more planing ect. Also it looks as if you took a LOT of thickness out from the blank. Maybe a closer one to your finished shape would be a better choice. Looks like you can make good use of a weight too ( although some don’t see them as needed.) This isn’t intended to cut you, but maybe help to open your eyes to another way. If you can, watch a pro in action. Maybe you’re not ready to “specialize in high performance surfboards”. Keep going, practice practice.
ps. All those shelves in the bay give me the “Willies”. What a Bit$%$ to clean up.
I cant wait to see your glassing video...
PS my girlfriend wants to know is it a surfboard, skimboard or a wakeboard,,,,???
how many dents were left in it after you slaped it around on the racks?
Oh !!! cool music and nice signature
Thanks Jim … I didn’t want to be that direct … I really thought he was going to hurt himself. That fred tool was having it’s way with him.
Eating crap is part of the learning curve … although I think it may have been tougher with some of the guys we came up with. TG … hang in there. Get a video … what do you think Jim? That JC one?
Guys Im still all new to this. I felt like I stepped on a lot of people’s toes. I didn’t mean to do that. In fact I appreciate the honest feedback. Im new to this craft and Im learning as it goes.
Tommy, the only toes your stepping on are your own. Someday, if you continue at making surfboards, you will realize how bad everything about you technique was. At least your a great self-promoter. I hope this does not spoil your exuberance and you continue to have fun making surfboards. I have watched many great shapers, and none have exactly the same technique, but yours is wrong and needs refinement. Look I am not here blowing my own horn, but I do know what I am talking about. Do yourself a favor and get that thing off the net.
you need racks that don’t stick out so far that you have to walk around them… otherwise its a matter of time till you trip and cut the bejeepers out of yourself (especially with the one handed power tool grip).
Well the only thing I have to say to come to my defense just a little bit ghettorat, I think there are a lot more shapers/glassers in places like California and Hawaii. Here on Long Island, you have to really search for them. Believe me, if I can find a shaper around here I am definitely going to pick his brain and see if I could watch his process. I want to learn this stuff so bad but to get started is a nightmare. My dad said once said that if it was easy, everyone would be doing it. You have no idea how many times I screwed up. Add all of your mistakes x40.
Tommy, anyone who says they never make mistakes when practicing the art of surfboard building is either lying or crazy. Nonetheless one can minimize mistakes by what is known in other disciplines’ as “situational awareness”. By familiarizing oneself with all the potential things that can go wrong, one can control enough of the variables to ensure success, at least in making surfboards. As you get better, your “mistakes” will become more benign, and only recognized by those who are truly aware. My hope for you is get there and the ego is not there.
tgproductions, i watched the video. my shaping "skills" aren't any better than yours... hope you're having fun, i do... you do come off a little pretentious tho and i think that might turn some people off. it did me... on the other hand, you have some names watching this video and making comments that have been shaping surfboards professionally since before both you and i were born. real legends. you might gain some insight if you started asking some specific questions about your video and ask for some input about how to improve your process...
oh and, there's no money in surfboards.
Thanks chrisp, I know all of these guys know what theyre talking about and I think theyre just doing it to put my head on straight. And again Im really sorry that I came off like a know it all in that video. I was just trying to do it for the effect I guess. I admit that I am just a beginner.
Hey Tom, you don’t have to apologize for anything (except maybe the HPSB claim) you’re doing. This is a good way to learn things. The whole process is broken down to a series of smaller tasks that lead to the next. It is a logical production starting with “A” and ending up at “B”. Also if you watch the real good guys ( Thanks Greg for the little insert) you notice the control with the planer. Notice the are few ridges running along the blank. This is keeping the surface true. Ghetto is right, no one is perfect and it is the rare shape that turns out perfect from start to finish. Everyone “F’s” up. It’s how you fix it that makes you a craftsman or artisan. Don’t let anyone stop you. I think in the long run you’ll find the advice and people here way more positive than neg. It really is about having fun. Forget about how long it takes. Know what you want in the first place and work towards that end. KEEP GOING!
ps. Chrisp is right about there being no money in it so you better love it for the fun. Riding you own shapes is the ultimate.
Hi Tommy,
I won’t comment on your shaping, but I will say it took guts to put that out on the www. and ask for comments. Mike