I had a phone conversation with Mike Casey who is currently shaping me a board. I told his that I was having a difficult time cutting the lap line on a volan glass job. It is not as clean and straight as I want it to be(about an 1/8" off here and there). He told me to use a marking gauge or a leather strap cutter for cutting the lap lines. I usually just cut along the tape line. Did anyone out there use these tools for cutting a cut lap. I saw a few pictures of the tool on the internet. It looks like it would work but the tools need to be slightly modified for a surfboard application. I attached a picture of a strap cutter. Please advise.
Watch someone who knows how to do it. It’s really not that hard once you get the hang. You can multiply tools and add steps to get to where you want to be, but I chose to cut to the tape, spending the time to learn how to do it with the least paraphenalia possible. With cutting the laps, especially with 6oz or heavier, timing is crucial to getting a nice straight trim. Don’t wait too long, or you’re screwed. It should cut like butter, but not pull away from the unmaksed portions of the board. If you need a lot of force to pull the blade through the lap, it’s too hard.
Everyone has a different approach and I’m sure there’s many people here who are located in Hawaii and can show you how to do it immaculately. If no one better here wants to do it, I’m willing to pass on what I know. I was freely taught, and I’m happy to freely pass on that knowledge. I’ve only done 60 or 80 color cutlaps, but I had an excellent teacher, and I can sometimes pull off some real nice sides. Though I don’t have them mastered, the techniques I use are solid and proven. When I’m on, the steps I use make pinlines optional. When I’m not…well you know what happens.
Anyway PM me if you have a board to do and want me to demo, for what it’d be worth.
