I figured why start with one board when you can have two. This will be my first time shaping a board. I decided on a SUP since I only have surfboards and no SUP’s right now. I will probably have a lot of questions along the way. Just hoping to get some general advice on a first time build. I live in FL, so flat water and small waves will be the main use for the boards. The blanks are 11’2 and 1lb. EPS, no stringer, will be using a Carbon fiber tape (all from Greenlight). Built a basic shaping stand today and started to peel some foam off with a 10" Surform and 32 Grit block just to see how long it would take with those tools. No doubt will be buying a planer and power sander this week. Guess my first question is… does everyone just kind of feel out the flow of the rails or is there an exact tool to use? Thanks
Pleanty of info here on shaping rails. Search rail bands and that should help. At 11’-2" you have your work cut out for you. I always tell people to “Learn how to surf on a longboard, and learn how to shape on a short board.” If you are going to shape in that room dust will get everywhere, watch out for the washing machine and be careful of the HVAC. Good luck and keep us posted.
hang tarps to make walls and tape the seams.
STUDY this thread:
http://www.swaylocks.com/groups/bill-barnfield-shaping-longboard-rail-bands
It’s a flat water SUP. Turn the deck rail down and blend up into the deck slightly. Not too far. It’s not a short board. Bevel the bottom rail all the way around to the Apex of the rail.
Looks like you’re off to a good start! In all honesty, for a flat water paddler, you’ll be good-to-go just glassing it as-is. Squared off rails would work fine for your intended purpose. Of course asthetics might dictate another approach but if a ‘surf/paddle hybrid’ isn’t the objective there is no need to taper the rails, cut a fancy ‘2 in to 1, double bla bla out the back’ bottom or anything like that. Some of the wooden kits have squared off rails purposely built with square rails and flat bottoms… maybe some rocker but…
I have a dave dahm rail cutting device. So helpful on larger foam rectangular starting from scratch blanks. One of the best investments I have ever made to help my shaping. Almost idiot proof.
Thanks for the replys. All the comments are very helpful. I will post some pics along the way and most likely have some more questions.
Tried a google search for the “dave dahm rail cutting tool”, no hits came up. Where did you purchase? Thanks
1 Lb. foam is very soft, I found some superflexable 150 grit sanding material (not paper) @ Home Depot for the rails as regular screen or paper is tough to use on the rails without goughing. Surfifty is right you will get foam dust everywhere. SUPs have a ton of dust.
RFLF,
There’s an old thread explaining Dave Daum’s rail tool. I did a search on “Dave Daum Rail Tool” and was able to find the thread:
http://www.swaylocks.com/forums/dave-daums-railmaker-tool
It looks like Dave’s tool gives you a consistent 45 degree reference plane while cutting out your first rail band.
cheers,
T
RLFL Where are you located in Florida?
RLFL Where are you located in Florida?
Buy a planer and walk back and forth till you feel like you ran a marathon.
Absolutely no better way to familiarize yourself with a planer.
Well, it is an paddleboard. Just a knee paddeler.
This was a 8" thick, 24" wide, 12’ flat piece of 2.0 lb. EPS.
Turned it into this.
artz- I am on the west coast Bradenton/Sarasota area.
tunabowl-Thanks for the link. Very helpful
Mataco-Thanks for the tip on the sanding material. Dust is starting to get everywhere, but it is manageable with a shop vac so far.
Barry-Thanks for the picture and post. Very nice board.
I have not got a planer yet. Trying the first one with Surform’s, sanding blocks and paper. Most likely will switch to power (planer and sander) and the second one. I am finding out the 1lb is very delicate. Having fun so far.
