first of all, I would like to say that I’m glad to be part of this informative forum. I’ve been looking around the archives and reading up on shaping surfboards and I was wondering what would be the minimum amount of tools I would need to shape a retro style fish?
This is my first time shaping a surfboard but I’ve fixed boards with simple dings to boards that have been buckled in the middle and they came out fine. I figured shaping a retro fish would be a good way to start/learn shaping because of its simple design (i.e. low rocker, high volume). So, I figure i wouldn’t be mowing a lot of foam off or doing some snazzy bottom contours. I’m planning to spend the least amount of money in order to shape a surfable fish.
If I do get that kit that foamez carries plus a 6’9"A 3/16 Bass Superblue blank that will put me around 200 bucks after taxes (BTW I don’t think I’ll need shipping as I live near Foamez).
Two surforms, the 10" flat one with a handle and the little curved one. They are about $11 each. One small block plane, maybe $40. Some mesh sheetrock sanding papers, $5 max. A handsaw to cut out your outline, I like the Stanley Short Cut, its about $15. You can go from blank to shape with just those, and they will last through many, many projects. Don’t buy a cheap block plane, although its tempting, because the blade won’t hold an edge or an angle. If you hold the plane at about 45 degrees to the stringer as you use it, you’ll cut easier and be able to get it into a fair amount of concave. You’re out the door for no more than $85.
I did my first board with a blank, on a two sawhorses, with one surform. I also borrowed a saw to cut the outline out.
However, if at all possible, get some other stuff - as this is definately the most tedious way of doing it. Well…I suppose an old cheese grater could be worse.
the materials are good, but i’d recommend against Foam EZ. they’re way overpriced, and you can buy those same tools at any hardware store for less money. besides, all you really need are a couple of surforms, 40- and 80-grit sand paper, and some 120-grit sand screen. good luck, and have fun.
Could you give me a number for bashams in san clemente? what are they? a surf supplier or hardware store? I tried looking through the web and eyellowpages but no bashams could be found. Thanks.
Assuming you have access to a set of saw horses, a pencil and tape measure or yardstick - with a close tolerance blank you can do it pretty easy start to finish with:
I used a sure-form hand planer, but bought a larger one just in case (I didn’t use it once). You’ll need a finger planer or a spoke-shave to trim down the stringer. I used the finger planer on both the stringer and on the initial planing to get the “skin” off the Clark blank; the sure-form wasn’t cutting it. You’ll need an assortment of sandpaper and sanding screens as well as a hand saw to make the initial outline cuts.
Today was a shaping day, and amidst of the chaos of my shop (x-boards and weird chemicals and who knows what all) I noticed how simple and straightforward the shaping tools are: