I recently had a mini Simmons shaped for me & whilst sat in the water I thought it looked wider at the nose on one side compared to the other. After quick initial measurements (from the top of the nose of the board down 6 inches) I think it maybe up to 1/2 inch wider on one side. I want to template the board to try and measure it as accurately as possible before bringing up with the shaper. Is it just the case of tracing the outline by place it bottom down on some paper then measuring at intervals along the middle? Is it worth bringing this up with the shaper??
If you do not have a shapers square Use a carpenters square measure down the stringer place marks ever few inches not measure one side flip the square and measure the others side.
Well, the consensus seems to be that its pretty inexcusable. But if it were me, and if it were only the aesthetics of it that I noticed, but no problems with the performance, I'd probably just live with it. Life is full of little imperfections, not all them are worth getting upset about.
Maybe the board is symmetrical but the stringer is just a quarter inch off center?
There has been talk here in the past about what to do when you get a blank with a curved/bowed stringer glue-up. If I recall, the consensus is to a snap a chalk line to establish a straight reference line down the center on which the shaper would reference their outline dimensions.
I'd go with Huck's suggestion that maybe the stringer was curved, resulting in a variation of "center" from one end to the other.
Site down the stringer and see if it is bowed or flaring off to one side at the nose. It is usually pretty obvious.
I wouldn't make a huge deal about it even if the template is off. There is an ongoing trend towards intentional asymmetrical designs. Some are really off center... by design.
Here is another question. Is the shaper a friend? Was this a Bro deal? In This case go back to your friend and show him the problem, This way he can at least try to learn from his mistake.
Is he a professional and you paid like everyone else, the full price he set?
If you are not happy then talk it over with the shaper. Show him the problem and see what he has to say. He should try to make you satisfied. The last thing a local shaper needs is someone bad mouthing his work.
By The way be careful of what johnmellor says He who post boards with forked nose speaks with forked tongue
Custom board etiquett; says that one should enquire as to what the shaper and crews prefer choice, is in an adult beverage. Even if the choice is Bud Lite be polite provide their choice. But also bring a fine crafted Beer or Ale. It is your duty as civilized human to elevate the Heaths from their primitive drinking habits.
If they should say a Bud Lime, then clearly you have made a mistake in ordering that board in first place.
If you want to check the outline stand it against a wall and take a photo from head on. Then upload it to a computer, cut out the outline copy it and flip it over, and drop one image on top of the other. You will get a clear view of the extent of the issue, an understanding of if the outline or the stringer is wrong.
It might also make a conversation with the shaper go a little easier, if you decide to take it up with them.
