Had the blank for awhile, just getting around to starting something. Working out of town a lot, so likely to proceed very slowly. But since I took it out and did a little work today, I thought I'd go ahead and start my thread. Will update as I proceed.
My first time working with EPS. 2 lb. US Blanks 9-4B from Fiberglass Hawaii in Ventura. Steve Huerta my go-to sales guy ordered it for me, took about a week to come in.
I picked up the blank with no stringer, so I could put my own in. Couldn't believe how "floppy" the blank was, when I picked it up. Wow. Thinking I'll go triple stringer. Center basswood, sides redwood or paulownia. Wood tail block.
Kinda an old school single fin longboard - with a "twist" (or maybe even go twingle fin), thinking of going glass on, but not sure. Everything subject to change.
I cut the blank today, just used a floppy blade pull saw. It did a real sloppy job, cleaned it up as best as I had patience for, far from precision but close enough, went ahead and mixed some epoxy resin with Q-cell and black pigment, and clamped everything together.
Below is the board so far.
Damn Huck. What's going on with the stringer? Can't be a F U with your tool skill. I did an xps and my stringer has a bit of wave in it and it bugs the shit out of me. Yours makes me cross-eyed. Mike
haha, that's funny. I guess that's the intent - so to speak. The concept for this one was born way back when I was making a wood board with wavy lines, and I drew this up to someday build from foam.
I like going outside the box like building a wood board out of old weathered fence boards, or painting a new board yellow and adding faux-dings.
This is in the same vein.
On a philosophical note, a lot of this is kind of a reactionary thing, against the cultural obsession with machine-perfection and cosmetic aesthetics. Computers replacing human craftsmen, plastic implants in human bodies, etc. etc. Rage against the machine, I suppose. Now I admit I love the look of a precision made showroom finish board as much as anyone - I just can't build them LOL, so I go in a different direction.
And maybe on some level I'm influenced by the work of Thomas Vincent Leman, and his wacky fun furniture designs that make you re-think what furniture is supposed to look like.
51Ugmlv7xXL._SS500_.jpg
Dang. I guess I don't care much for Mr. Leman's stuff. I appreciate the skill and talent. Just don't care much for the function. Where would I set my beer when I'm changing out to my street clothes after work? Does he do work for Disney? Do sets for Tim Burton movies? I'm sure your board will surf well. Mike
Yeah, I get that its not for everyone :-)
Although I've had this design on the backburner for quite awhile, I have to give credit (for pushing me to go ahead and try this) to Barry Snyder and Mattwho for their inspirational work with custom stringers posted on this forum. Even 'tho they're in a different league than my crude efforts.
Huck,
Very stoked for you! Way out there and cool.
One more for you Big Isl cat Dean Edwards , I think Barry started the "bone" glue up the ultimate recycle job!!!
(edit) posting without coffee this AM and did not mean to waste your post.
Huck why EPS?
My take is two more strigers.
What fun! I see your fix's to the usual (glue up blues) problems.
Nice work!
Aloha
Dean Edwards bone glue up.jpg
I would rather be someone's shot of whiskey, than everyone's cup of tea.
www.mattysurfboards.com
Huck, I really like the thoughts and follow-through in your boards.
I am also thinking of trying some 'secret sauce' and EPS, did a small test with yellow, red, blue, and black. Barry and Matty sure get a guy to thinking...
Am I seeing a little Dardevle in your theme? Wishing you could be fishing?
All the best-J
http://pushheretosavealife.com/
Be safe, have fun. -J
Huck,
I wonder if it will twist when you laminate it. Might be cool to add another that is symetrical to the first. If not I'll just close one eye as I follow your build..... Mike
Hey Mattwho thanks I've been wanting to try EPS just because I never have, Some love it, some hate it, wanted to see for myself what its all about. Also, I didn't think I could get a stringerless blank in poly, but now that you mention it I don't think I asked, either. I agree, I'm gonna add two more stringers, just a matter of what kind. Probably redwood, but might be paulownia or just colored glue, also.
I added q-cell as thickener and to make the resin easier to sand, and black for effect, but my cut is not that clean. Meaning the width of the black glue line will doubtless vary. I'm thinking I might add a black pin line either side of the stringer, that's why I went with black. But will wait to see how it looks before I decide. My motto has kinda become "celebrate the imperfections", so an irregular glue line either side of the stringer might fit into that.
I had saved a stringer from a previous board that died, made from the same blank (9-4B), so that worked out good.
That's a crazy glue-up project in your pic there, nice to see the offcuts put to use, what a project! Barry's stuff is just on another level. Yours too.
Really enjoying this!
Most the old timers must be taking naps!
Sorry but you are not the first madman. Greg Noll is premiere and I know other craftsmen have done it.
Your whimsy stringer, blasted me back to a time when I was a gremmie. We had beat up Holden’s and Jacob Velzy’, a fellow grom’s Pop had a dive shop and featured Greg Noll boards.
Noll’s promotion sheet had these figure 8 stringered boards, we all said “bitchen” (now days “awesome”).
Enough on theflashback, dig on these.
How about a “chop stick fin” it is Mr. Noll’s signature, but made one a few years back and could make one to your spec, you if you like (fin box or glass in).
Carry on!
Noll figure 8 ad 001.jpg
crazy Noll.jpg
chop stick GN fin.jpg
I would rather be someone's shot of whiskey, than everyone's cup of tea.
www.mattysurfboards.com
" sorry but you are not the first madman " ...
..... indeed !
[ as bowie , and others , have known for a long time eh ...?? :) ]
" http://www.metrolyrics.com/all-the-madmen-lyrics-david-bowie.html "
keep up the experimenting ....
cheers Huck !
ben
*************************************************** http://www.benchipper.blogspot.com.au/
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