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Old     (RideaNeversummer)      Join Date: Feb 2014       12-14-2016, 7:16 PM Reply   
I'm going to post up some pictures from my first wakesurf board build. After months of research and gathering the needed tools and supplies I finally started my build a couple weeks ago. For my first build, I think its going pretty well. I'd really like to thank Shawn at Brigade & Brock at Doomswell. Both those guys were super helpful when I approached them for advice.

To keep cost down I decided to buy a block of 2lb density foam from a local foam supplier and buy my own hotwire foam cutter to cut the foam. The foam cutter cost me about what it would cost get one or two blanks shipped to Wisconsin from one of the blank retailers.


After cutting the foam, I cut a cedar stringer and glued it into the blank.








Next, I traced the outline from the template I made onto the foam.


Cut the outline.


Square the rails with Greenlight's rail runner tool.


Lots of work with the Grasp, hand plane and sanding.


The rocker profile is all set and the rail bands are ready to be cut.


Marked the rail bands.


Cut the first rail band.
Old     (RideaNeversummer)      Join Date: Feb 2014       12-14-2016, 8:06 PM Reply   
Blending the rails with a hard sanding block and 40 grit sand paper.


One half blended and screened (sanded with a 220 grit drywall sanding screen).


Sanding & screening complete.


Installing the Futures fin boxes using the one pass installation kit.


Mixed up some epoxy and glued in the fin boxes.


Before glassing the bottom, my wife painted the wood on one side. The saw blade and name were printed on rice paper and placed under the fiberglass.


Old     (bigd1031)      Join Date: Mar 2008       12-18-2016, 6:35 PM Reply   
Looking good!!! Having built full size surf boards in the past I really appreciate the level or work and patience that goes into these projects.

Keep us posted on the progression and, most importantly, how it rides.
Old     (TNwakeboarder86)      Join Date: Sep 2016       12-20-2016, 8:08 AM Reply   
I wonder how expensive it was for this project?
Old     (wkndsurfer05)      Join Date: Jun 2015       12-20-2016, 9:38 AM Reply   
Looks like a great first try Andrew! Did your wife paint the wood right onto the foam or did she paint on paper and you laminated over it? What type of paint was it? Doesn't look like it bled once you put on your epoxy. Impressed, it looks really cool.
Old     (RideaNeversummer)      Join Date: Feb 2014       12-21-2016, 6:40 AM Reply   
Quote:
Originally Posted by TNwakeboarder86 View Post
I wonder how expensive it was for this project?
The cost of materials and consumables to build this board was right around $205. To get that figure I took all of my supplies and divided the number of boards I can build out of them. For example, the foam block cost me $290.16 but I should be able to build about 16 boards from it, so it only costs $18.14 per board, which is a good place to start. To buy a Marko blank and have it CNC cut would cost about $75, but it would save a whole lot of time. That price also doesn't include a few specialty tools I had to buy like the hotwire and the Futures One Pass install kit. So if you were only planning to build one board the total cost would probably cost more than $205.

Quote:
Originally Posted by wkndsurfer05 View Post
Looks like a great first try Andrew! Did your wife paint the wood right onto the foam or did she paint on paper and you laminated over it? What type of paint was it? Doesn't look like it bled once you put on your epoxy. Impressed, it looks really cool.
She painted right on the foam blank before glassing. The sawblade and "ripsaw" were printed on rice paper and laminated under the glass. We used Acrylic "tempura" paint which won't eat the foam.
Old     (TNwakeboarder86)      Join Date: Sep 2016       12-21-2016, 8:00 AM Reply   
man you really have me tempted. I am debating right now the blanks or cut it myself. So this was your first ever attempt? I like the fact you can make so many boards out of that.
Old     (RideaNeversummer)      Join Date: Feb 2014       12-21-2016, 8:44 AM Reply   
Quote:
Originally Posted by TNwakeboarder86 View Post
man you really have me tempted. I am debating right now the blanks or cut it myself. So this was your first ever attempt? I like the fact you can make so many boards out of that.
You should go for it! I contacted 3 foam wholesalers and only one would sell me that small of a foam block. The other two had minimums that were about three times that size, but shipping for one blank to Wisconsin was outrageous. If you order 20 blanks and have them truck freight shipped then the shipping per blank is more reasonable.
Yes this was my first try, but I did lots of research and I did have some experience with fiberglass & epoxy.

https://greenlightsurfsupply.com/ Has an excellent how to manual that really helped me out. They are also a great place to source materials & tools.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...rxwF5od6gqvX07 This guy has a great series of videos that show you pretty much everything you need to know to build a surfboard.

Good luck, and if you start a build be sure to post up and let us know how it goes.

Last edited by RideaNeversummer; 12-21-2016 at 8:48 AM.
Old     (Laker1234)      Join Date: Mar 2010       12-22-2016, 5:48 AM Reply   
Are you using a mini trimming plane to trim your stringer? If so, how did you not gouged the Styrofoam? https://www.widgetsupply.com/product...FVKewAod8qUNPA
Old     (Laker1234)      Join Date: Mar 2010       12-22-2016, 5:49 AM Reply   
[gouge] Sorry
Old     (RideaNeversummer)      Join Date: Feb 2014       12-22-2016, 6:43 AM Reply   
Quote:
Originally Posted by Laker1234 View Post
Are you using a mini trimming plane to trim your stringer? If so, how did you not gouged the Styrofoam? https://www.widgetsupply.com/product...FVKewAod8qUNPA
To trim the stringer I used a small Stanley hand plane similar to this one: http://www.sears.com/stanley-tools-1...Q&gclsrc=aw.ds

I was careful, but it did take out a few more beads of foam along the stringer than I would like, but from the research I've done that sounds pretty normal. I don't have a picture of it, but I did do a filler coat before paint/fiberglass using watered down DAP Fast N Final. You just spread it on really thin with a squeegee then sand with the 220 sanding screen. It does a really good job of filling in spaces in the EPS foam (and fixing any mistakes you may have made) and its plain white so you can't see it after glassing.
Old     (RideaNeversummer)      Join Date: Feb 2014       12-22-2016, 6:53 AM Reply   
Here is a close up picture of the tail section while I was trimming it down to create the tail rocker. You can see a few more beads are missing right next to the stringer, but they filled in nicely with the DAP Fast N Final Spackle.

Old     (Laker1234)      Join Date: Mar 2010       12-22-2016, 7:36 AM Reply   
Thanks! Trimming the stringer was my biggest problem as I kept gouging the wood. Now I need to practice cutting the wood evenly. Any suggestions for making sure the stringer is even across the top.
Old     (RideaNeversummer)      Join Date: Feb 2014       12-22-2016, 8:54 AM Reply   
Quote:
Originally Posted by Laker1234 View Post
Thanks! Trimming the stringer was my biggest problem as I kept gouging the wood. Now I need to practice cutting the wood evenly. Any suggestions for making sure the stringer is even across the top.
Sorry, I'm not getting exactly what you are saying, can you describe what you mean by "even across the top"? Do you mean from the front of the board to the back of the board? What kind of wood are you using for the stringer?
Old     (TNwakeboarder86)      Join Date: Sep 2016       12-22-2016, 9:11 AM Reply   
Ok what dimension block did you get. I might have over estimate my dimensions bc it was 380 for the block at 2lbs density. then 80 shipping. Did you use the 2lbs density? I am thinking of getting a small block then you. I might only do 8-10 boards if I enjoy It.
Old     (RideaNeversummer)      Join Date: Feb 2014       12-22-2016, 9:22 AM Reply   
The block I got was 24" x 48" x 60" and it is 2lb density. I ordered from ACH Foam Technologies and picked it up in person, but they could have shipped it. I think that was the smallest block they would sell me, but you can always ask.
Old     (Chaos)      Join Date: Apr 2010       12-22-2016, 11:53 AM Reply   
Quote:
Originally Posted by Laker1234 View Post
Are you using a mini trimming plane to trim your stringer? If so, how did you not gouged the Styrofoam? https://www.widgetsupply.com/product...FVKewAod8qUNPA
Ron, mini planers like that one tend to gouge because they do not slice the wood well due to the angle of the blade. Professional shapers mostly use razor blade hand planers (there are a number of good quality ones available), mini spoke shaves, and or Japanese block planers. We all have our favorites, for different applications, whether flat, or curved/spooned (convex). Over the years, we've experimented with more and more tiny planers designed for use in musical instrument building. Your typical pro probably has $200-$500 invested in hand planers alone. Much much more when considering power planers.

Nick
Old     (Chaos)      Join Date: Apr 2010       12-22-2016, 12:05 PM Reply   
Quote:
Originally Posted by TNwakeboarder86 View Post
Ok what dimension block did you get. I might have over estimate my dimensions bc it was 380 for the block at 2lbs density. then 80 shipping. Did you use the 2lbs density? I am thinking of getting a small block then you. I might only do 8-10 boards if I enjoy It.
Nathan, if you decide all and all it is too much money and will take too much time. I can ship you raw Marko Foam Wake blanks and or pre-shaped blanks from my catalogue of proven designs. The Marko Foam is much higher quality. As you can see these billet cuts are pitted beyond belief and the beads aren't bonded together well. I can also ship you all the supplies you need to give a board build a go.

Nick
Old     (RzNick)      Join Date: Aug 2014       12-22-2016, 3:28 PM Reply   
First off, awesome job Andrew!
I'm almost done with my fist board too. Just have to sand down the hot coat, and hopefully it will ride as good as it looks (to me). How did you build your hot knife? Pretty clever cutting your own blanks like that. I got mine from greenlight at the low low cost of $50 plus $40 to ship it. Then I started having fun and ordered a second blank before I even glassed the first one. But hey, that's how I roll. .
Old     (Summer225)      Join Date: Apr 2016       12-23-2016, 5:51 AM Reply   
Love the creativity of you guys......I LOL'd at your customs captions on your board Nick, awesome.
Old     (TNwakeboarder86)      Join Date: Sep 2016       12-23-2016, 7:11 AM Reply   
nick,

I recently emailed them from their site. I don't think I have heard back from them yet about their boards. I was suggested the same thing by day1wake, to order blanks possibly from them. I have been debating on which route to go. part of me thinks its a great project to keep my occupied over the winter with great satisfaction, I have heard its addicting. I like the thought of being able to do a bunch, bc I am a bigger guy and hard to find a board that works well for me. That way I can keep make changings on the board.

I have been researching there molded boards though.

thanks!
Old     (Chaos)      Join Date: Apr 2010       12-23-2016, 9:36 AM Reply   
I don't know about addicting, I've been building boards since I was like 14 years old, so I have my biases. It is a lot of work, it is dirty work. Very dirty work when the goal is to achieve a clean, clear spotless board. Even with a step by step guide most people basically fail. Their first few boards may look like a surfboard and may even ride OK (a flat piece of wood is rideable), but will not pass mustard at a factory. Expectations are usually where people go wrong. They have an end result in their head, and achieving that is difficult. Every step of the board building process, and there are a lot of them, can end in a little error or a huge mistake. Most mistakes are fixable, and those that can recognize the error and fix it are the ones that usually make a decent product. It is not a way to save money on a board. Materials and tools will add up to more than a custom board will cost you. If you forego stuff like fin box install kits (generally close to $200 with a small router), and power planer ($50 to well over $1000), and variable speed sanders you can still build a board. If you are handy you can build your own jig for cutting fin box holes. If you add up your time and what your hourly wage is at the real job then you are likely looking a very expensive board.

Shaping is the base of the board. It affects all other aspects of the board, but glassing is the most complicated and where most people get into trouble. It is not as simple as following a you tube video. You need to know, how much glass, how much resin, how to wet it out properly and how to remove excess but not remove too much. This is one of the problems with most billet foam blanks, they soak up water and resin like a sponge. Polystyrene beads are graded. Billets are typically composed of the larger beads because they fill the large space more easily, where as molded parts like packing parts use much smaller beads to form around the contours. All EPS is closed cell, but some has an extensive network of interstitial spaces between the beads. This is where the water and resin goes. The amount of resin has a huge impact on the way a board flexes which is the different between a proper lively feeling board and a brick.

As far as raw materials, shipping adds up, whether it is a roll of fiberglass, jugs of resin, or the oversized blank material. I shipped kits in the past, and a good 4-5 years ago the guys over at Marko and I started talking about shipping wakesurf specific kits as this is an underserved market. But it is generally not worth the effort. The reason I offered is shipping from Texas to Tennessee is far less than shipping from west coast to Tennessee, and I like to help people out.

As far as big boy boards, if you work with a professional you will have no problem jumping on a board that works for you. I think I mentioned it before, but you should look at a Ringer XXL. I even believe I have one that received a small puncture on the top glass that didn't go through the bamboo that I will be selling as a blemish, once I fix it. It will be hard to tell once fixed. Nevertheless, I could cut you a great deal on it. It is Tennessee orange.

Nick
Old     (TNwakeboarder86)      Join Date: Sep 2016       12-23-2016, 12:50 PM Reply   
Ya. I remember looking at those. My thought process was if I build my own, or buy blanks and then build. I can trial and error until I find one that rides well for me. Then always have that in my pocket as a design. I hate that there isn't any real company in Knoxville Tn for this sport. HEad quarters of Malibu and supra in town, but no wake surf. Let me know that TN orange, whether I get it or not, I am sure my buddy would probably be interested in it. It stinks not having demo days with boards or people local with their custom boards. I will never EVer BUY PHASE 5 again, not only the board sucked but their customer service was full of lies and made promises to fix their mistake and never did what they said. O well lesson learned, I can tell you everyone I know here knows never buy phase 5.
thanks!
Old     (WakeSurf22)      Join Date: Dec 2016       12-23-2016, 5:40 PM Reply   
Super impressive, love the initiative!
Keep growing the sport guys!
Old     (RideaNeversummer)      Join Date: Feb 2014       12-25-2016, 1:13 PM Reply   
Nick Rihel,

Nice build! I love the twinzer fin setup. That's one I plan to try on one of my future builds. What did you do for a glass schedule? What type of rails did you go with? I also really like to traditional pin-lines and the way the red wraps around to the top. Did you buy the wake blank from Greenlight that you glue up yourself? That's the best option if your looking to get a single blank. That's also what helped me realize I can glue up my own blanks pretty easily.

The hotwire came from Hotwire Foam Factory. I got a refurbished one for $90 plus an extra $20 for the multi heat power supply which is a big plus when cutting a full 2' width of 2lb EPS. They sent me the 12 volt power supply first and it cut pretty slow, then they sent me the correct one which can go up to 18 volts and it cuts faster. Here is a link http://hotwirefoamfactory.com/051_In...ow_Cutter.html

Nathan,

I think you hit the nail on the head with building your own board so you can find one that rides well for you. Also, if your a DIY type like me, there is nothing better than using something you built yourself. It's like the Jeep Wrangler I built and custom painted. Sure I could have bought a Jeep that has a shiny paint job, but to drive around something that is one of a kind and to know I built it myself is priceless.
Old     (RzNick)      Join Date: Aug 2014       12-25-2016, 6:23 PM Reply   
Thanks Andrew. I used the typical one 4oz. layer on the bottom two on the top. I order the kit from greenlight so all that was included. they have a really nice table for resin usage that helped out a lot. The rails.... Yeah I did those. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what I wanted and in the end I just marked the center of the squared edge, 45* the top with the rail runner and blended it in. Mostly I just tried to make it look like my soulcraft. So I guess I went with a boxy rail 2/3 of the way to the nose and then just rounded it out through the thin nose of the board. The only thing I won't ever do again is the fangtail. That sucked to glass and then it guarantees burn through when sanding. I knew it was coming so I started with 400 grit and still burned right through. Just too much pressure on too thin of an area. But at least I can say I did it.
Good to know about the hot wire. I see myself building quite a few more of these so the cheaper the better. Waaaayy less than the $900 for a new soulcraft or other "custom" board.
Old     (TNwakeboarder86)      Join Date: Sep 2016       12-26-2016, 9:26 AM Reply   
any advice on painting? WHAT DID YOU USE OR COULD USE?
Old     (RzNick)      Join Date: Aug 2014       12-27-2016, 4:33 PM Reply   
The only advice I can give is don't use any spray paint from Home Depot. It has styrene in it that will eat your foam. I found some liquitex stuff in the airbrush isle at micheals that is supposedly water based and it worked great. Lots of mixed reviews on that stuff though.
Old     (TNwakeboarder86)      Join Date: Sep 2016       01-23-2017, 7:33 AM Reply   
Ok, so this weekend I did a little work, I know the design isn't what I really wanted, but I tried using card board for template didn't work out, couldn't get it smooth, what did you use for a template that looked so perfect? Thankfully I cut all this one small as a practice board, but for no experience and free handing most everything not to bad now. I think, im just happy everything is smooth and level and right distance from the center line HA
Ok, how the heck do you post pics on here.
Old     (RideaNeversummer)      Join Date: Feb 2014       01-23-2017, 7:48 AM Reply   
Oh man, I've been snowboarding to much and haven't been back here in a while. Posting pictures is a bit of a trick, I load them onto an online hosting site like Google Drive, then post the link to the picture in the thread.

As far as painting goes, I would suggest painting directly on the foam with Acrylic paints like "tempura" paint. It's cheap and won't eat the foam. Maybe Nick Wiersema has some other suggestions, he's been doing this for a while.

I made my template out of Medium Density Fiberboard "MDF". It's pretty cheap at Home Depot or Menards. I used 3/16", but you could use 1/8" as well, it would just be more flexible. I have a bit printer, so I designed my board on Shape3d then printed it out and traced it on the MDF and cut it out with a jig saw.
Old     (TNwakeboarder86)      Join Date: Sep 2016       01-27-2017, 6:45 AM Reply   
man, I went to the hardware store, thinking they would have spray paint with out that stuff in it. They told me what paint to use, I used it. It ate away at the foam, glad I used a trial form piece first. I am just going to go to Michaels and get that paint you suggested.

I am going to work on my hard rails tonight or tomorrow morning. Watching all the videos and seeing your pics, it blows my mind how you went from those lines to the very sharp rails and rounded. It doesn't seem possible, but then again im not creative by any means!
Old     (ronix686)      Join Date: Feb 2017       02-10-2017, 1:19 PM Reply   
Nice to know I'm not the only crazy one trying to build boarding in my garage during the off season. What started out as an winter sanity project is becoming more of an obsession. Built a couple boards so far but they aren't much to look at. It certainly is a learning process. Currently using XPS foam for the low cost entry point but would like to graduate to a better quality EPS. Are you guying planning to vent your ESP boards?

My first board was built with 6oz S glass and stringerless so I added carbon fiber to the top and bottom. Its pretty ugly but its a start.

The second board was built with 5.7 oz carbon fiber and also stringerless. Excited to get some soft water to test them out. Soft water is pretty hard to find in North Dakota this time of year.
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Old     (ronix686)      Join Date: Feb 2017       02-10-2017, 1:32 PM Reply   
Anyone have any luck painting after the board is glassed? Or does it just scratch off? I was advised not the paint prior to glassing with XPS because it weakens the bond between the foam and the glass.
Old     (Chaos)      Join Date: Apr 2010       02-10-2017, 3:00 PM Reply   
Nice fins Russ.

Painting XPS doesn't really weaken the bond anymore than painting any foam. No point in painting foam if you are using colored foam or covering it in carbon fiber. Better to use pigmented resin. The problems with XPS or true styrofoam, especially pink, blue or yellow depending on the manufacturer, is it is tough to get any good bond. XPS has a tendency to outgas; is much more susceptible to heat issues (from straight up shear delamination in due to the sun or a hot compartment like a car, but even bubbling under a sander). Stiff fabrics like carbon fiber will lessen the shearing to an extent, but it will eventually fail. Venting helps with XPS, some manufactures literally put pin holes along the rails to let it the core outgas.

You can paint it with any rattle can paint pretty much once finished, but yes it can scratch off, even with a clear coat. A quality 2-part clear coat like is used on automobiles is the choice of professional builds. This is hard a protective.
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Old     (TNwakeboarder86)      Join Date: Sep 2016       02-13-2017, 6:50 AM Reply   
that's looks great. I have no idea if I am doing this right upload but here goes. I am not use to this at all. Anyways I started painting my board, its a small board but its my first one. I am about to order the resin and everything. My next board I want to do a foam skim, does the carbon fiber you all do really add extra strength?



Old     (TNwakeboarder86)      Join Date: Sep 2016       02-13-2017, 6:51 AM Reply   
I swear I copied and pasted the hyper link, I do not know what it wont load.
Old     (ronix686)      Join Date: Feb 2017       02-13-2017, 6:55 AM Reply   
Carbon fiber actually has a lower tensile strength than S glass but it is something like twice as stiff. Many times it is used for the look
Old     (TNwakeboarder86)      Join Date: Sep 2016       02-13-2017, 7:14 AM Reply   
Wow no idea, I thought everyone uses it because its stronger so you only use one sheet not two? So im making a very small board next more skim style, should I use the carbon fiber?
Old     (ronix686)      Join Date: Feb 2017       02-13-2017, 7:26 AM Reply   
I'm currently building a small skim board for my girlfriend. Only using 1 layer of 5.7oz carbon fiber. Seems like it will be okay.
Old     (ronix686)      Join Date: Feb 2017       02-13-2017, 7:30 AM Reply   
The carbon fiber costs a bunch more than fiberglass. The carbon fiber board will be stiffer than a fiberglass board with similar layup.
Old     (TNwakeboarder86)      Join Date: Sep 2016       02-13-2017, 7:32 AM Reply   
that looks awesome! I might do that for the skim board, you really cant paint it can you? Or can you paint it after the laminate then do the hot coat?
Old     (TNwakeboarder86)      Join Date: Sep 2016       02-13-2017, 7:37 AM Reply   
WHy is the carbon fiber so much cheaper then the s cloth or e cloth?
Old     (ronix686)      Join Date: Feb 2017       02-13-2017, 7:54 AM Reply   
Quote:
Originally Posted by TNwakeboarder86 View Post
WHy is the carbon fiber so much cheaper then the s cloth or e cloth?


Carbon fiber is more expensive
Old     (TNwakeboarder86)      Join Date: Sep 2016       02-13-2017, 8:06 AM Reply   
I guess the website is misleading, it says 35 bucks for one, then underneath it says full roll is 100 yards. Then I find it by the foot else where on the fit it says 5$ a foot. O well, you ever use the solarez resin? So that its easier to put resin and hot coat on ?
Old     (Chaos)      Join Date: Apr 2010       02-13-2017, 12:50 PM Reply   
Carbon/graphite fiber can and often have higher tensile strength than s-glass. S-glass can be comparable to graphite fibers in tensile strength.
The main take away to understand about carbon/graphite is that it add stiffness to a build. Yes it also adds considerable strength, part of the interpretation of strength is due to its high elastic modulus (takes a greater force to temporarily deform it), however do to its stiffness or poor elongation it can be somewhat brittle. It does not stretch as well as other fabrics therefore once an impact threshold has been met it tends to fracture and break. This is why you often see hybrid fabrics used, mixing more stretchable or elastic fibers with carbon fibers. This improves durability.

Nathan if you want to add a photo. Hit the the Go Advanced button and upload a file as an attachment.

Nick
Old     (TNwakeboarder86)      Join Date: Sep 2016       02-14-2017, 5:39 AM Reply   
thank you chaos!

I hope this works
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Old     (TNwakeboarder86)      Join Date: Sep 2016       02-14-2017, 7:40 PM Reply   
I painted the deck tonight and figured Lets start the next one..stressful day at work, this is my release. Learned from first board how to start this one easier.
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Old     (troberts2)      Join Date: Jan 2017       02-15-2017, 4:50 AM Reply   
Hey Nathan, What part of TN are you from? I may be interested in having you make me a custom one depending on your price.
Old     (TNwakeboarder86)      Join Date: Sep 2016       02-15-2017, 6:19 AM Reply   
I am in what I like to call Capital of boat manufacturing. I am in Knoxville TN. That first board was painted for my buddy, he is a DIE HARD UT fan. No idea why, I moved here from the coast of Carolina. Anyways. The second one you see is a design hybrid from skim/surf. I am a big guy, the next board I have ready to cut out will be a thick board and I hope it works well for me. For spins and learning tricks. All these boards are under 5 ft. My 4th template I made is for a big board, the thought process on that is, its very fun to ride multiple people, plus it will be a good beginner board and softer rails.
Old     (RideaNeversummer)      Join Date: Feb 2014       02-22-2017, 5:34 PM Reply   
I love that this thread is still going, and that other people are sharing their builds. It's really cool seeing what everyone else is doing. Anyway, I have my second one done. This one has a tucked rail for more of a surf style. I tried to do a green tint.... should have used more tint . Oh well, the next one will be better. Tints are supposed to be translucent as opposed to pigments which are opaque, but I was shooting for a darker green than this.

My third board is a 1" thick skim style board. It's shaped and ready for artwork, so I have to figure out what I want to do there, and I'm working on two more that are the same as the first two (A Ripsaw and a BadAxe) but I'm going to add channels to see how it changes things. I'm trying to only change one thing on each board so I know how that change affects the ride.
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Last edited by RideaNeversummer; 02-22-2017 at 5:38 PM.
Old     (TNwakeboarder86)      Join Date: Sep 2016       02-27-2017, 5:24 AM Reply   
board looks great. I been shaping and art work on mine, Been holding off on the resin, just because the weather here in TN is so weird lately. One moment its warm enough next its cold, everyone says make sure its warm or consistent temps.

Im excited to see the skim style, my first one I did really think like a skim, and free handed it which is why it stinks. I am shaping my third board now. Its a big boy one, and beginner one. I will say im excited to see if sealing the second board would help a lot compared to the first one I didn't seal with the light spackle.

Did you get all your resin at greenlight as well?

Cant wait to see your skim!
Old     (TNwakeboarder86)      Join Date: Sep 2016       03-01-2017, 11:12 AM Reply   
I know this threat is dying but just letting you all know, check our greenlight website. If I am reading that right, they will shape your blank, for 50bucks where you don't have to do really anything to it. You tell them the specs and they will machine cut it so all you really have to do is very little shaping and just work on paint and glassing.
Old     (RideaNeversummer)      Join Date: Feb 2014       03-02-2017, 10:50 AM Reply   
Quote:
Originally Posted by TNwakeboarder86 View Post
I know this threat is dying but just letting you all know, check our greenlight website. If I am reading that right, they will shape your blank, for 50bucks where you don't have to do really anything to it. You tell them the specs and they will machine cut it so all you really have to do is very little shaping and just work on paint and glassing.
Good Point Nate. It does look like you have to design the board using shaping software like boardcad, AKUshaper or Shape3d and send them the files, but that's not that hard to do. Shape3d has a free version and excellent tutorial videos on their website. I like Greenlight and don't want to call them out, but if your going to have a blank CNC cut, shop around and find the best price.

I used Shape3d to design my boards, but to keep cost down and to make sure I fully understand that shaping process I decided to hand shape my first boards. Once I have my shapes dialed in, and feel like my glassing skills are up to par, I will order CNC cut blanks.
Old     (TNwakeboarder86)      Join Date: Sep 2016       03-05-2017, 4:53 PM Reply   
Hey has anyone had problems with rails doing this? I tried to seal with that fast dry stuff and it didn't help. Thanks
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Old     (Chaos)      Join Date: Apr 2010       03-06-2017, 2:16 PM Reply   
Mix the spackel with water, loosen it up and spread it along the rails with a gloved hand. It will fill the bead gaps better.

Nick
Old     (TNwakeboarder86)      Join Date: Sep 2016       03-06-2017, 2:39 PM Reply   
Thanks...I didn't think about trying with hand...I figured when you shape by hand everything you'll have these problems. I need to learn to shape with planer..

Thanks.
Old     (Chaos)      Join Date: Apr 2010       03-07-2017, 8:54 AM Reply   
The problem is the foam. That type of foam requires a spackle finish, just to get it decently smooth. Modern, pressure fused/molded blanks don't require being filled with spackle. This is also why they suck water like a sponge.
A power planer is for removing volume and getting to the rough volume distribution of the board, cleaning the skin off a blank (polyurethane) and all your rough to moderately fine shaping.
When you see the classic pictures or videos of someone holding a power planer and walking tail to nose making long cuts on a blank from the rail to center, they are taking the surface skin off and adjusting the overall thickness.
This is required of polyurethane blanks, not necessarily all EPS style blanks.
You smooth contours by hand with hand tools or your power sander, when you know what you are doing. You finish smooth the surface by hand.

It might sound hokie, but you want to visualize the finished board within the blank and remove everything that is not the board.

You want to mix your spackle well, the acrylic binders accumulate at the bottom of the bucket. You will usually want to take some out of the bucket and mix it with a little water in a separate container, then spread with a squeegee or by hand.
Best to use gloved hands, because the light weight spackle has formaldehyde in it. You also don't want to breath the dust when sanding it down. Additionally, spackle will pull any dirt or oil on your hands and transfer it to the board.

Nick
Old     (malibuskier)      Join Date: Apr 2015       03-16-2017, 2:19 PM Reply   
Thanks for the read folks! Good stuff...

Dave
Old     (TNwakeboarder86)      Join Date: Sep 2016       03-23-2017, 10:07 AM Reply   
I just tried spray paint on of the boards. Since its not warm, well it is now I been making more boards then I thought. This one is a theme after Marvel since my little nephew calls me the hulk. The bottom is hulk inspired and deck I haven't finished yet for Avengers. I did this with spray paint and dish soap and some tape. came out great I think.
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Old     (Chaos)      Join Date: Apr 2010       03-24-2017, 8:36 AM Reply   
You are racking em up. I suggest you start your adventure into glassing. Laminating-sanding-finishing is/are the most time consuming parts of a build. Lots of steps, some just flip and repeat, but lots of steps.

Nick
Old     (TNwakeboarder86)      Join Date: Sep 2016       03-24-2017, 9:13 AM Reply   
Hey Nick,

I agree I am ready to glass. Just been so tough to judge the weather lately and I been told its not worth trying to glass when its cold out. Now the weather is finally good to go I am going to start glassing now. I think another week or two and the boat will be out!!!!1

I am interested to try the glassing!
Old     (Chaos)      Join Date: Apr 2010       03-24-2017, 2:53 PM Reply   
Nothing 1 or two small space heaters from a big box store can't fix.

Nick
Old     (RideaNeversummer)      Join Date: Feb 2014       03-24-2017, 8:20 PM Reply   
Quote:
Originally Posted by malibuskier View Post
Thanks for the read folks! Good stuff...

Dave
Glad you found the thread interesting

I just finished sanding my third board and I did the fin boxes differently. The first two boards I sanded down the finboxes after glassing, then re-taped them before hotcoating. That was more work, but appears to yield better results. On this board I waited to sand the fin boxes until after the hotcoat because I saw someone on youtube do that. The problem is, when I sanded the fin boxes it exposed some glass threads around the fin box, so I'm going to have to mix up some epoxy and coat around the fin boxes, which is more work. So, I'm not sure which method is better?

The first image is the board I just did and you can see the glass fibers showing through, The second picture is the first board I did. More work, but the results seam better. Thoughts?
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Old     (Chaos)      Join Date: Apr 2010       03-25-2017, 10:11 AM Reply   
You want to grind (I say grind, in so much as you really want to grind using course grit and a grind pad or super firm pad, otherwise you just heat it up too much which causes lip problems and heated glass) the lip off the box before the fill coats at the same time as grinding the bottom lap. You can do it after the initial fill coat but all you are doing is saving tape. As far as lifted glass and air bubbles, that is a problem with all under the glass style boxes, but there are tricks to reduce the amount of glass ground off. The only thing I would say is your boxes look a touch deep, but a touch deep is better than too shallow.
Old     (ronix686)      Join Date: Feb 2017       03-25-2017, 5:20 PM Reply   
Apply Duct tape around the boxes when grinding. It will save the glass from the coarse grit. It doesn't solve the problem, but it helps.
Old     (ronix686)      Join Date: Feb 2017       03-28-2017, 12:11 PM Reply   
Chaos, what do you recommend for traction? Actual pads or wax? Do you ever use wax on traction pads for extra stick?
Old     (Chaos)      Join Date: Apr 2010       03-28-2017, 1:50 PM Reply   
Traction is a personal preference. I am a surfer so I typically will go with a rear stomp pad and wax up front for my ocean boards. It is 50/50 on wakesurfers. However, I grew up during the aerial punt movement so we would also add traction to the front of our boards back then. You will find that most people that do punt style surfing in the ocean use upper pads. I use to make custom upper pads in the 80s. There is something about good eva traction that allows your foot/toes to curl and dig in for airs.

Yes, wax is used on pads, both in the ocean and lake. Most riders put a small amount of sticky wax or more general wax on their pads. Too much wax can melt and seep down into the eva and loosen it up from the adhesive.

In my experience the vast majority of wakesurfers use full traction, in part because all off the shelf boards came this way. You really only have a choice if you are getting a custom board or a board from a manufacture like me, that allows traction customization.
It has only been in the past few years that a few of the surf style guys (guys that ride in the ocean, too) decided to use wax up front, and eventually a few of us suggested and started marketing sticky waxes which have gained a lot of popularity amongst competitors. Shortly after that, wax alternatives that do not melt came around like Viskus, and many have migrated to using wax alternatives. Wax alternatives don't melt or require grooming like wax, but they do just wear off or smear loosing a lot of their traction appeal and have to be replaced. They less expensive than EVA traction (about half as much, but again it is a temporary product), and about 6 times the cost of a bar of wax.

If you live in a warm to hot climate or have a dark colored board, wax is going to be a choice that will require a lot of work. Additionally there are many boat owners that will not or do not like wax on their boats.

I sell a whole range of EVA traction, Waxes and Wax Alternatives. http://chaossurfco.com/traction/

Nick
Old     (ronix686)      Join Date: Feb 2017       03-29-2017, 8:50 PM Reply   
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chaos View Post
Traction is a personal preference. I am a surfer so I typically will go with a rear stomp pad and wax up front for my ocean boards. It is 50/50 on wakesurfers. However, I grew up during the aerial punt movement so we would also add traction to the front of our boards back then. You will find that most people that do punt style surfing in the ocean use upper pads. I use to make custom upper pads in the 80s. There is something about good eva traction that allows your foot/toes to curl and dig in for airs.

Yes, wax is used on pads, both in the ocean and lake. Most riders put a small amount of sticky wax or more general wax on their pads. Too much wax can melt and seep down into the eva and loosen it up from the adhesive.

In my experience the vast majority of wakesurfers use full traction, in part because all off the shelf boards came this way. You really only have a choice if you are getting a custom board or a board from a manufacture like me, that allows traction customization.
It has only been in the past few years that a few of the surf style guys (guys that ride in the ocean, too) decided to use wax up front, and eventually a few of us suggested and started marketing sticky waxes which have gained a lot of popularity amongst competitors. Shortly after that, wax alternatives that do not melt came around like Viskus, and many have migrated to using wax alternatives. Wax alternatives don't melt or require grooming like wax, but they do just wear off or smear loosing a lot of their traction appeal and have to be replaced. They less expensive than EVA traction (about half as much, but again it is a temporary product), and about 6 times the cost of a bar of wax.

If you live in a warm to hot climate or have a dark colored board, wax is going to be a choice that will require a lot of work. Additionally there are many boat owners that will not or do not like wax on their boats.

I sell a whole range of EVA traction, Waxes and Wax Alternatives. http://chaossurfco.com/traction/

Nick


Thanks for the tips. Finished my boards tonight. They are not perfect but everyone I finish looks better than the one before it. Water is starting to get soft in North Dakota. Will most likely be ordering some wax, fins, and traction pads from you soon.
Old     (Chaos)      Join Date: Apr 2010       04-02-2017, 9:01 AM Reply   
Cool cool. we are here to help when you need it.

Nick
Old     (TNwakeboarder86)      Join Date: Sep 2016       04-10-2017, 5:44 AM Reply   
I am sure this thread is at the last leg of it, but I finally tried fiberglassing. Wasn't to bad, since this board is for a buddy who is like my little brother I only did one fin. It wasn't hard to do, but man the corners were, well they didn't come out perfect smooth on corners. Also it is very very important to have a better stand and higher stand for this, I used the same one I did shaping on. man it stunk, take my advice well worth building two great stands for shaping then for fiberglassing. Next all I need to do is hot coat, I ran out of resin, bc I use the greenlight guide, and it wasted probably 11 OZ of resin. Im starting to think when it says between 11-15 oz resin, that means total with hardener. O well it was fun. not perfect but first one almost done, next two should look better. Also, I hated working with the vector net, not worth it.
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Old     (Chaos)      Join Date: Apr 2010       04-10-2017, 8:41 AM Reply   
Haha. Vector net changes the flex pattern (energy loading and unloading) of a board and adds a lot of strength to board, some impact/crush strength, but mostly flexural characteristics. It has its uses. Understanding how it will react is important, and understanding what kind of vector net to use is important. They all have a plastic mesh backing they are built on, but there are different size nets and different patterns, and different materials, from carbon, to black dyed aramids (kevlar) to innegra and hybirds. I would not reccomend it on a first attempt glass job, best to just use multiple layers of fiberglass until you learn how to move resin around and get a good lamination. Its dry weight in literally nothing a few grams, but because of its structure it can trap a fair amount of resin.

The amount of resin used is proportional to the size of the board and the amount, number of layers, of fiberglass and size of the glass or fabrics and type. Traditionally, loads of resin are poured on a board and then removed, this is fast and easy. A good laminator can be more judicious and only apply that which is needed, reducing waste. Some like to use vacuum bagging to pull resin out. That just speaks to bad laminating. Vacuum bagging is a just a tool and when used properly will help keep materials that like to rise and float secure to the board.

Corners are really never perfect or finished during lamination, they are areas of overlapping fabrics or fabric seams. That is where you grind to shape, and cover with the top layer. With grinding and fill coats the corners become the intended shape.

Nick
Old     (TNwakeboarder86)      Join Date: Sep 2016       04-10-2017, 1:48 PM Reply   
thanks, ya one guy told me to add the net since its a small board and im big. Yet I made the board for my small friends and more skim style. HA But yet I agree the net is not easy and don't plan to do one again unless I get better with glassing. Grind to shape hmm, im watching a lot where people say do not grind at all or at last never into the cloth but I do have some over hang. I will be grinding that this week.
Old     (RideaNeversummer)      Join Date: Feb 2014       04-10-2017, 7:52 PM Reply   
First Ride! We went down to Arizona last week and brought 3 of my boards to test ride. They all rode great and the design characteristics that I incorporated into each one did what they were supposed to do. Overall a great first ride, and now I have about a month before I get my boat out of storage to build a few more boards. Enjoy the pictures.
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Last edited by RideaNeversummer; 04-10-2017 at 7:54 PM.
Old     (TNwakeboarder86)      Join Date: Sep 2016       04-11-2017, 5:25 AM Reply   
that is awesome! they look great. even better they ride great it looks like!!! Way to go, anything you would tweak on them? I just ordered my remaining stuff to get mine finish, if it comes in Thursday ill be done hot coating the first and ill ride it this weekend. My goal is by next weekend to have three done and tested. That way I can make my fourth which is going to be towards my taste the best. I hope greenlight ships my stuff in three, paid extra for it, ill be mad if its not here by Thursday.

Great job man!
Old     (TNwakeboarder86)      Join Date: Sep 2016       04-11-2017, 5:26 AM Reply   
what were you riding behind, the wave looks awesome?
Old     (RideaNeversummer)      Join Date: Feb 2014       04-11-2017, 5:50 AM Reply   
Quote:
Originally Posted by TNwakeboarder86 View Post
what were you riding behind, the wave looks awesome?
We were riding behind a 2015 Malibu VLX with Surfgate. There isn't anything I would change. I put a single to double concave in the base of the Badaxe for speed and that was by far the fastest board, almost to fast. I have a second badaxe with a flat bottom built, so I'm excited to see if the flat bottom rides different than the one with concaves. I also plan to build a ripsway with a single to double concave and see if that is faster than the Ripsaw with the flat bottom. The flat bottom ripsaw wasn't slow, you just couldn't get as far back on the wave as you could with the Badaxe.
Old     (TNwakeboarder86)      Join Date: Sep 2016       04-11-2017, 6:16 AM Reply   
What videos did you watch to make the double concave? I thought about doing that but it just seemed a little much. All three of mine are flatter, one has a little grove small grove towards the back. My fourth one I want to shape concave.
Old     (RideaNeversummer)      Join Date: Feb 2014       04-11-2017, 8:33 AM Reply   
Quote:
Originally Posted by TNwakeboarder86 View Post
What videos did you watch to make the double concave? I thought about doing that but it just seemed a little much. All three of mine are flatter, one has a little grove small grove towards the back. My fourth one I want to shape concave.
I read a bunch and watched a few youtube videos. This one was probably the most helpful. https://youtu.be/n1bQ6V7oxlY
Old     (Summer225)      Join Date: Apr 2016       04-11-2017, 4:44 PM Reply   
Very cool, you guys are some talented craftsmen.
Old     (TNwakeboarder86)      Join Date: Sep 2016       04-12-2017, 5:37 AM Reply   
So here is my problem. I did the corners and they ended up having extra cloth and built up. My thought was to grind it down including the top cloth but I don't think that's right. I have yet to hot coat
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