I’m going to make templates of the boards in my quiver this weekend. Is there a material you guys like using besides the “standard” 1/8" masonite?
Something that’s more durable and that’s available at big box stores would be nice.
1/8” Masonite should be plenty durable if sealed with the penetrating epoxy used for boats. Scuff the smooth side with sandpaper before coating that side. Obviously the non-smooth side should not need scuffing. Getting ready to make one that way in the next few weeks.
I believe Drewtang (Drew Baggett of Inspired surfboards) said he used fiberglass cloth he laid up on a piece of glass coated with releasing factor (some say they use car wax).
I also plan to try sheets of heavy duty poster cardboard (available at Walmart) laminated with a thin layer of fiberglass cloth (2.5-oz) — laid up on a piece of glass and/or taped down polyethylene plastic sheet (available on a roll almost everywhere). 4-oz FG cloth should work though.
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Medium density fiber wood is cheap and work well. High density pvc foam like those used for pvc stringer. Not cheap but easy to work.
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If you like PVC plastic, you can buy 4x8’ sheets at HD & Lowe’s. They are about? 1/8” Thick. I still prefer 1/8” Masonite. The template can be cleaned up with a Surform or a block and sandpaper. I have also pieced two pieces together using contact cement for longer than 8’ templates. Got a couple of older ones that have been glued like that for years. I don’t do anything to seal the Masonite. The old cheapo standard is still the best.
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I have mostly used masonite and other thisndoor skin makerial.
I think I might switch to Ram Board or something similar. I figure I can trace the temple onto it, fine tune it a bit by using medium/fine sand paper. Trace it onto a blank and cut the blank about 3/32" to 1/8" outside the line, true up the curve on the blanck with a surform or rail runner tool to get a nice smooth transitioned complex curve, and then redo the template if needed.
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Too bad you can’t buy Ram Board by the yard. A roll would do a lot of templates though. For my personal use I will stay with Masonite. Just easier to Surform and true up.
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My Dad is a retired contractor, and he actually has a roll of this Ram Board stuff in his garage. I saw it the other day. If it makes a decent template, I’m gonna try it. I can do full-length templates with this stuff (for longboards, etc.)
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What would be sick is if masonite was made in 1/16" and in 8, 10, and 12 foot lengths.
I saw someone (zack flores?) suggest ram board and have been using it, it’s pretty nice, stiff enough that you can adjust it with sandpaper. The only drawback re: this thread is that I feel it’s fragile, like if you drop it then it’ll get unusably bent. Also takes a while for a piece to fully flatten out lol
I use a masonite that is smooth on both sides and has one side painted white. At Home Depot (USA) it is currently $ 20 for a 4’ x 8’ x 1/8" piece. It is on their website described as “Eucatile’ Hardboard Thrifty White Tile Board Panel”, It’s located on Aisle 32 Bay 002. All of the ones I’ve seen locally (Central Coast California) are smooth, but there exist versions that have an embossed tile pattern. You can use a sharpie or a scratch awl to scribe your template line and shape like the normal masonite hardboard. I like the one white surface for drawing curves with a dry erase pen until I get what I want, and also for writing permanent notes with a sharpie.
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I like this stuff. It is plastic, so it will never have issues with water or humidity, and you won’t accidentally break the tip off. It can be fine tuned but not as easily as wood. Down side is that it is only 8’ long, but great for spin templates.
I also keep old surfboard laminations that I strip off when reshaping an old board. They are also water proof, but sometimes the edges can scratch you.
If I use masonite, I have to seal the edge because I shape under my house and have humidity problems.