Hi, any UK based shapers know of any blanks available
other than Clarkfoams remaining or homeblown?
Not sure if seabase are setill using clark, if they are, i don’t want to end up with the dregs of whats eft.
Cheers
seabase have a couple of clarkfoam blanks left, They also do xtrafoam blanks from SA
Are they the Midget Farelly ones?
the xtra foam havent arrived at seabase yet!
but you can get some surfari/spider blank from brendan: 0044 7737598032 the prices are very good!!! i just had 12 off him. for the price of 6 homeblown!!!
Cheers PAul, I’ll give them a bell, where r they based? Will he do single so i can have a go at them?
yeah they will send singles he even paid half the postage so i would try them!
Would be interesting to hear what the extra foam blanks are like. My last few homeblown blanks have been much improoved, also managed to get a clark blank of the size i need for my next board so was quite happy about that. Haven’t been able as yet to find out what blanks some of the pro shapers here in the uk are using.
KS
I think Nigel Semmons uses Burford blanks and Chops Lascelles uses Australian blanks also
the spider/surfari ones come out a lot whiter than clarks, but they arent blow2n as well they do have some holes in them
have heard good things about extra foam.
yeah nigel semmens uses burford got to watch him shape a couple a few months back on his machine. also watched keith bedoe shape while there also.
anyone going to the expo in exeter in a few weeks, ive been invited but dont know whether i can get there!
Hi Paul
Can us normos go to the expo or is it only for pro shapers if so where and when. I wouldnt mind going.
I was a homeblown at few weeks ago. They have manged to improve their blanks and as a result are as light as their super light ones with the same strength as standard this is so successful that the only make the new ones. Aparently they mow a lot easier as well.
Keep well
i have heard that the new stuff from homeblown is good, but the prices of some off the new blanks are just too good at the moment!!!
and xtra foam will come in under the homeblown price aswell.
dont know much about the tickets for the expo (exeter) i was invited by one of the companies who have a stand there every year, but if you can get a ticket go as its supposed to be very good and the after show parties are one to watch out for.
Hi Swifty
I went a couple of years back, all you got to do is register under your surfboards company name (doesn’t matter how big you are) and then just pop along. It’s not too bad a show, bit small and unless your talking numbers on products most companies are that interested in talking to us (Don’t forget most people in the surf industry in the UK don’t surf) But you could be lucky and get to the after show do though.
cheers joe
I would be careful what blanks you use , stick with a reputable manufacturer that hasn’t just tried to quickly full the market . Safari foam , Xtrafoam and KingMac are all the same chemical blend sold under a different name . If you like problems like shrinking and holes then buy it . All you have to do is look at the surfboards made with it to see how well it doesn’t hold up . Safari have had container loads of foam sent back from California and Hawaii , they are just looking for a place to unload it ! Use Burford , Surfblanks or any another company that hasn’t just popped up .
Hi Guy
I’m have untold trouble getting hold of good EPS foam here in the UK, does anyone have a contact. I want to make my own blank to get the thickness and the rocker so don’t want to get a ready make blank from seabase.
all I can find is what I assume to be No.1 foam which is far to soft. Any pointers would be great.
Just finished creating an over the top hot wire cutter and itchen to spark the baby up!
Cheers Joe
Joe
Phone your local Travis Perkins, they have an insulation partner called C.C.F.
The foam is made by a firm called Springvale who have a really helpful technical department. They do different densities and if you can wait, will do specials.
You have to buy through TP as they can then put the block on one of their trucks to avoid massive delivery costs. Blocks are typically 2x4x8 ft, so you can get plenty of boards from one block. I don’t know if they do longer blocks, you can ask though. (let us know if they do).
I have had 11kg (3/4lb) density with small beads,(compsand boards) cost £150 + vat but can get 10+ boards from it.
Hope this helps
Hi Mark, Will do!
I had a quote from a company for a block of 30kg/m2 EPS, 2500 x1250 x1050mm for £550 + Vat!
cheers Joe
waiting for a quote from Eccleson and Hart? same sized block, EPS250, they don’t deliver so would need to arrange this my self, also waiting for quotes from 2 other companies. need to cheak my e-mails.
Haven’t tried TP yet will look into this. cheers.
On a side note does anyone know where I gen get pigment and tint past from, found links to the West systems stuff, (I’m using R&R) but the colours are hardly inspiring, I wont to have a go at a swirl. thinking dark green and purple.
Hi Woody
Thats the company I’ve got a quote through! spooky, sadly nothing to do with me. perhaps we could all chip in for a big block!
Try Blue Gee fiberglass suplies in poole they have epoxy tints
cheers joe
Hi Joe,
yer I that is Kinda spooky, They never acutally got back to me with a price, they must have known I was cheap.
Having to arrange delivery was a pain, especially now the mails charged by size and wieght, buggered if I can work out how much it would cost, probably cheaper to hire a van to pick it up. At that price it would work out cheaper just to buy a pre-made blank.
Found a TP 10mins down the rd from me, think I pop in and see what they can do. I’ll look that tint guy up too. I’m still working on another project so theres loads of time, just cant stop thinking ahead.
Hi Joe
I have just been in touch with TP and they have a new foam supplier, they let me know that polystyrene is not suitable for surfboards!!! said that I wanted xps!!!
I couldn’t be bothered to argue.
Best bet is to phone Springvale. they are the manufacturers and their tech dept will let you know what densities they can produce, and get a product code from them. then ask them for your local supplier. I have just ordered another block and the price is £75 + vat for 11.5kg foam. I do however have to pick it up (good job I have a van!!)
The previous one was £150 incl delivery.
Good luck