I've read about the delam issues from outgassing with xps for surfboards, but would these issues cross over into a low volume application like a skimboard? I was thinking about a 53" board with an xps core and balsa skins, as I've just purchased a vac pump and want to try it out on something like that and a few skateboards before I try something bigger. Thanks,
Jeff Sharp
I haven’t had any problems with my XPS fish after riding it for 1 and a half years in Sweden. The surf here is mostly quite small but also have some head head and a half days and occasionaly bigger than that.
IMHO the key is to keep from putting dents in Your board and thereby compressing the foam, make sure you lam it well with enough glass to keep from denting.
I lammed my board with 4+6 oz on the deck and 6 oz bottom, SP 115 epoxy (good stuff that resin) and hotcoated it with 2part urethane resin SP ultravar 2000.
Board has a matte fine sanded finish
Also keep Your board away from heat
Good luck
Erik
Thanks, I’m going to go ahead and go for it, as other core foams that are dense enough would be a lot more expensive. I’ll just make sure I don’t leave it in the car. do you compsand guys think 6oz Ex1/16thbalsaX6ozE would be enough glass for a skimboard? I I’ll let you all know how it turns out, but for now I’ve got to go take a strength of materials exam (I’m tired of learning about steel, it just lend itself to my hobbies, and our composites chapter was only a week long!).
Hey lasersailer,
First off, I take it your planning to build a wave skim?
Here’s a couple tips…
Your mentioned layup seems a bit week. On a skim you always want at least 16oz.'s of reinforcment on either side for wear resistance (a beaches sand is just like sandpaper ya know!).
I would try to stay away from XPS. In skimboard construction compressive strength is the absolute key to making a board that will last. Because XPS crushes and has no rebound, and it realy isn’t that suitable for a board that will receive constant abuse.
My opinion is to use EPS in any compsand situation. EPS in any compsand construction works great, when it’s hit it will simply spring back (assuming your not hitting a rock or pier, or something else thats very large and destructive!).
I’ve done a couple compsand skims using 1/8" corecell, I’ve used the below layup:
-6oz. Carbon
-6oz. E
-4oz. E
-1/8 Corecell
-4oz. E + 4oz. E patches
-1# EPS
-4oz. E
-1/8 Corecell
-4oz. E
-6oz. E
-6oz. Carbon
This layup is 30% lighter than a solid PVC core skim, just as stiff, more dent resistant, thicker, and has the exact same amount of reinforcements. If you don’t want to use carbon, I suggest the same layup as above only add an extra layer of 6oz. E; or swap the carbon with regular 6oz. E and use 2# EPS. Also, vac bag your layup as well as you core, as you’ll get a lighter, stronger skim in the end.
I also suggest doing some little test layups with a couple core/glass combo’s… bust out the hammer to do some precision testing!
Cheers,
Alex