Surfore is getting a 10’4" balsa from me and today was split and chamber day. I cracked it apart at 3:00 PM and finished chambering at 9:30 this evening. There was no jerking off, telling stories, etc. 6-1/2 hours of my screaming Makita D grip router, the first round was the 1"x1/2" bit, followed by the 2", the grand finale was my 4" bit to finish off the wider center sections. When it was done, there was a mound of balsa shavings 3 feet wide and 3 soda cans high in the back of my room. Tomorrow I’ll throw it on the platform scale and see how much it weighs, no fat, lots of fiber
Wow - 6 hours of chambering…If you recall, how much did the blank weigh before you started? I started with a 10’4" X 23" X 4"(rectangular) balsa blank and it weighed 31 lbs (w/ 6 stringers), the shaped but unchambered 9’6" x 21" x 3" now weighs 20 lbs. What a ton of work, too. Based on one of your earlier responses I figured I should wait for another day to try chambering, since this blank wasn’t made with that in mind…I have probably put in 15 hours on this board and it’s not done yet. Way more work and way more expensive than mowing foam, but still, a lot of fun. Thanks for the inspiration, Jim. I’ve watched your shaping video a dozen times and every time I learn something new… By the way, do regular rice paper laminates look OK on balsa, or do you do something special? If regular lams are a problem I was thinking of an inlay instead, but my woodworking skills may not be up to it.
Talk about the breakfast of champions - I can’t think of a better way to start off my day with the exception of perfect surf with a few friends! In the immortal words of Daffy Duck ho hoo, ho, ho, hoo, ho! Jim, I’m headed your way next week so I’ll give you a buzz later this afternoon and see what’s doin’. Andrew(Surfore)
Jim: After 6 1/2 hours on the back end of a router you deserve a beer or two or… Seriously,I admire your work greatly. As my father would say, “that fellow knows tools and how to use them - he’s an artist”. If the board is under your name and the buyer doesn’t object and you feel inclined would you post a picture? In any case, thanks for sharing the moment in time. Patrick
im desperately trying to find a way to try my hand at balsa. i may not have any experience with wood but i know this guy who has made oen that loosk pretty sweet. he made it for a sign at his wood shop. but yeah im trying to find other more experienced help besides him. ill have him throw in some inlays(while he teaches me) but jim do u know of any balsa shapers in florida. also if not is there anyway possible i could get set up to watch someone shape {or partially shape) one when i take my summer trip upto cali. ill be staying in s.d. thanks on any info. and it would be great to see a picture of the final product dk
When I got home, the router was still screaming at me, the beer was warm, my wife was on the verge of sleep, my boy was asleep. Damn, a joint would have gone well at that time, but no. I showered, ate leftovers, tried to fall asleep in front of the TV, went to bed and watched the Jim at work show on the back of my eye lids for the rest of the night and was out of the house by 7AM. 4 cups of coffee and a Mountain Dew, BAM
Jim: I hope you are saving these small pieces of your writings. From the posts I have read on this site by yourself and Cleanlines I imagine there is a book waiting to be written.Patrick