Boards...

[Surfdad]

Billy over at ASC is pretty advanced with his board designs for behind the boat...lots of unique ideas and good craftmanship.

Shortboards today are pretty different than back in the 60's and 70's, aren't they. I think one of the biggest advances, beyond the different composite structures, and fin systems is the eps / epoxy construction you've mentioned.

If I can EVER get my foam delivered from UPS, I'm going to try and vacuum bag some 1 pound EPS with Carbon. It'll be interesting to see how that rides.

[Jason B]

Surfdad,
Can I ask where you get foam from? I've been tinkering with composites in my garage and I've been trying to find big pieces with no luck. I've been buying foam insulation in 2" thickness then gluing them together so I have a 4'x8' sheet of however thick I want. That is getting expensive!!
Also, what kind of pressure are you using on your vacuum? I think mine is inadequate unless I'm doing something wrong.

[Surfdad]

Hey Jason,

I hear ya on finding foam. I order through Universal Packaging. There are three companies under the same "roof" Unverisal Foam, Universal Packaging and Universal Poly. THEY order from Insulfoam and have your foam dropped shipped to your addresss.

When I went directly to Insulfoam, they wanted me to jump through all sorts of hoops, not the least of which was a credit ap and resale number. PLUS, for my small order, they were going to take about 4 to 5 weeks. Going through Universal, they just took a credit card number and had the order made up in a week - however do NOT ask me about UPS LTL freight!

I set my vacuum at 8 inches with the 1 pound eps, I can go up to 10 on the 1.5 pound eps and 12 on 2 pound EPS, but quite frankly, for lamination, I don't really see the need for more than 8 inches. It makes it a bit easier to pull creases out of the bag as I'm pulling the vacuum with the lower settings.

What I've noticed with the low density EPS is that it looks fine when you pull the vacuum, but overnight, it crushes at more than 8 inches of mercury..

On your composite structure, what are you using? I did some tests with H-80 d-cell last evening. That is supposedly 5+ pound density and it looks like it can withstand 20 inches without crushing. Some of the skim style boards run d-cell as the core.

I'd love to hear more about your composite work, especially anything new and exciting that you are experimenting with.

[Jason B]

I've just begun playing so I can't really tell you too much I'm sure you don't already know. I'm building a speaker enclosure for my tower now but i wanted to do my own board. I've seen it on TV and it looks really easy.....but what doesn't look easy when a pro does it on TV right!? All I've used so far is just standard home insulation.

The foam I found was 135$ for a 1'x4'x8' sheet!!!! I can make my sheets cheaper than that.

I have come across some smokin deals on ebay for the glass/carbon fiber. You just kind of have to watch for what you want until something comes up.

[Surfdad]

Yeah...this stuff is pricey when you start getting into the thick slabs of EPS. I typically get 1" thick 2' x 6' cuts for around $10 per piece in bulk, delivered.

If I'm doing a NON-composite, I'll use 2" and 1.5 or 2 pound EPS...those run $15 and $20 respectfully.

To avoid the need for a huge cut and the offset being the rocker table, I built an adjustable rocker table. If I ignore the cost of equipment, I can build a board for around $60-$70 A far cry from the $500 some of these manufacturers are asking.

[Juiceman831]

Hey this sounds like you guys are talking about making a board is that it? If so can you make me one and how much will it run me. lol thanks

[Surfdad]

Hey Juice,

I don't custom build any boards. The folks at ASCboards.com or TheWalkerProject.com are your best options if you can't find something suitable in a stock size. I sell off my experienets but most of them are designed for my son James who is 5'7" and 160 pounds, from your description, it doesn't sound like those boards would work for you.

[dogbert]

The problem I've found with most custom boards is that shipping is pretty $$

[Surfdad]

I hear you Dogbert...$100 isn't uncommon with materials and actual shipping cost. I once sold an old Shred Stixx to one of the guys over at Wakeoutlaws.com in TX. It was a beat up old board and Ken wasn't willing to pay that much for the shipping, so we decided to just slap a label on it and send it via Greyhoud. No box, no padding just the board with an address label. I think it was something ridiculous like $23 and it made it there FINE! Go figure.

[ascboards.com]

big dudes

if your a big guy lookin for big guy testimonials...dogbert is your source..this guy is the closest living relative to THOR..no bs,most guys could kick down the door...this guy could kick down your house..i was stoked to see my 5'6'' fat boy floatn him..mostly out of athletic ability..we moved him to a larger one and we got 300lbs surfin no worries.