December 31, 2008

Under the Water



November 17, 2008

Mini Bob Simmons Surfboard Template

Mini Bob Simmons Template
Here is a Mini Bob Simmons inspired surfboard template that you can use to create your own. The PDF link below has the actual template. All you need to do is print it, tape the pages together and cut it out.

This template measures 5'5 inches and is meant to be built with twin keel fins and a scooped nose. I haven't built this board yet, but decided to draw out the template and add it to the list of boards I want to make. Someday......

Click Here to Download the Template

November 14, 2008

Surfboard Glassing Guide



Here is a surfboard glassing guide/schedule that I put together. I wanted a chart that would help me figure out the amount of catalyst to put into the resin - based off of the outside temperature and fall within the time frame I wanted before it kicks. It's kind of been a guess work for me, so I am hoping this will help out.

This guide is broken down in three sections - Lamination, Hotcoat and Gloss. The measurements are in CCs instead of drops or percentage. Also included is the amount of Surfacing Agent (Wax) to put when making the hotcoat. I modified the amount of MEKP CCs per ounce of resin to fit with the kick times I wanted. So adjust the amount of catalyst to get different kick times.

Anyway, if you guys use this guide, let me know if you how it works out for you. I haven't tested all measurements yet, so make sure you do a test batch. Depending on many factors like weather and the amount of pigment you put into the resin, the outcome will definitely vary. So... do this is at your own risk.

If you can, post your experience, comments or suggestions to make this better. Hopefully it will help out other fellow DIY surfboard builders.

Click Here to Download the Glassing Guide

November 13, 2008

BoardSide Now Easier to Access



I now have the domain BoardSide.com setup so it's now easier to remember and keep updated on new surfboard designs and projects that I am working on. Remember to update your bookmarks and tell ya friends.

November 09, 2008

My Wax Buddy Joe


Here is my Wax Buddy Joe. He has been slowly growing as I de-wax my grungy boards. Someday he'll have arms (One of these days buddy, one of these days...). I think once Wax Buddy Joe grows all his appendages, I'll see if I can sell it on eBay. See what weirdo purchases good old Joe. Hee Hee. Come-on who wouldn't want a lovely teady bear filled with dead skin and who knows what. Maybe even some pubic hairs. Jason, you know you want it!

ShortSider: Stubby Surfboard Fins



This is the ShortSider surfboard fin I just traced out and cut with a jigsaw. I purchased the wood over at Michaels. Cost about $9.00 for a 12 x 12" plywood.




Here are the fins all shaped and ready for glassing. It's been foiled on one side for each fin, the oposite side is completely flat. This will provide the suction I need going down the line.



It will be cut down to size once the glassing is done. It is currently a little tall, but needed the extra height to clamp down when sanding down the fins. Shaping these weren't as bad as I thought it would be. It only took me about a total of 30 minutes from tracing to shaping these fins.

New Surfboard Templates



Here are some of the surfboard templates just carved out. Middle one is for the ShortSider stubby surfboard. I know I mentioned that the longboard is going to be my next project, but I have been really into shorter boards lately and may start on the stubby surfboard first.

You can see in the photo above that I used a printed template to get the shape I want. I used Adobe Illustrator to draw out the surfboard design and printed it with the tiling feature and just taped all the sheets together to make the full size template.

November 03, 2008

9'8 Bing Noserider (Longboard) For Sale (SOLD)



Close to the original Bing Nose Ride, this is a modified NR-2 model with a pintail and a lighter weight. Ideal for small to head high waves in any type of wave. Has the 1966 Bing logo wrapped around the board. Pretty unique. Shaped by Matt Calvani.

Great noserider! Just running out of room for all my boards. This is a used board. Has been used about 4 times and has a small ding on the left side of the nose. Awesome condition. Originally paid over $1100 for it. Caramel color with red and brown spash.

Price: $650 USD (SOLD)

Length: 9'8
Width: 23"
Nose 18"
Tail: 15.5"

Post a comment with your email address if you are interested. Your email address will not be published. You can also find the listing on: http://www.swaylocks.com/surfshop/Detailed/3683.html

Sorry guys, the board has been sold. Thanks Will for the purchase. Hope you enjoy it.

October 24, 2008

BoardSide - ShortSider Twin Fin Stubby Surfboard


Shortsider is a twin fin stubby. Kind of inspired by the Bob Simmon style board but extremly modified. This will have a "S" deck, blunt nose and will measure about 5'5. Should be really loose and fun to ride. I figure I can make this if I screw up on my longboard.

Here is a link to the PDF version of the ShortSider with a few more color schemes.

My Next Project - 9'8 Blunt Nose Longboard


Click Here to View the File (PDF)


Once I save up enough money, I'll be starting my second board - a blunt nose longboard (Nose Rider) i just designed. Probably a 9'8 single fin square tail.

October 23, 2008

Displacement Hull Surfboard - Designs

Before I actually started shaping Displacement Hull, I layed out the design and shape I wanted for the board. It was originally going to be a pintail, but then decided to change it to a diamond tail. The link below is a PDF of the designs I did for this board.

Click Here to View (PDF)

Surfboard Shaping Stand

Here are the specs I drew up for the shaping stand I created. It cost me about $24.00 to build one of these, purchasing all the stuff from Lowes. Anyway, just wanted to share this.

Click Here to Download the PDF

October 17, 2008

Displacement Hull Specs


Got so into building the board, I forgot to measure out the final specs.

Soft 50/50 rails for easy gliding with hard edge double concave diamond tail for carving cutbacks. Wide body for ease of wave catching.

Length: 7'0
Width: 22 3/4"
Nose: 19 1/2"
Nose Rocker: 4 1/2"
Tail: 17"
Tail Rocker: 2 1/2"

October 03, 2008

The Dog's Day at the Beach


Happy Happy Happy


Happy Happy


Happy


Ready to Go Home


Leave Me Alone - Sleeping

September 29, 2008

The Baby is Born: Displacement Hull Surfboard



All done! Wow, quite an experience! Definitely learned a lot and found a whole new level of respect for all those shapers out there that do this for a living. Kudos to all you guys.

Ready to take it out!! I'll post some pictures as soon as I find someone to sit there and take some photos of me. Bummer it's really small here in SoCal right now.

Polishing


Not much to say here. Not much fun. Wet sanded with 240 grit, then 400 grit and finally 600 grit. Although after sanding away that shininess, it was cool to see it come back once I started polishing it with the compound.

The only thing I might of done differently is wearing gloves while hand sanding. I didn't wear them sanding the gloss because I wasn't concerned with the glass ichies. But I ended up sanding some of the skin off my finger tips.

The Icing on the Cake






Sanding is all done and now goes on the gloss.

Here is the Gloss Mix:

Gloss Resin: 24oz
Catalyst: 15cc
SA: None
Pigment: None
Env Temp: 73 F

It kicked about in about 15 minutes. It looks like candy right now - shiny and all. Hopefully it will stay like that when I polish it.

No more sanding please!


I am getting a little tired of sanding. It has been a little frustrating for me only because I keep on sanding a little too much. You'll notice at the tip of the board that I sanded the black off. Jeeeeez! Got to do more touch-up work.



Here is a picture of the leash loop that I just glassed on. As you can tell, it needs some SANDING. Jeeeeez. Anway, I am pretty excited about this because this is going to be the first board I own with a glassed on leash loop. All my other boards have that drill through fin box thingy. That is nice and all, but wanted to try something different. I hope the placement is correct and won't get in the way.

September 24, 2008

Bing Resurrection


This is one of my favorite boards - The Bing Resurrection shaped by Matt Calvani and designed by Ken Mockett at Icons of Surf. Black Resin tint top and bottom w/ red pinline design and moon tail.

Length 9.6
Width: 23 1/2
Nose: 16
Tail: 17
Thickness: 2 2/3

Combining the traditional "PIG" outline with a modern nose concave and half-moon scooped vee bottom tail, this board looks like a retro pig but surfs like a modern single-fin. I'll post some full view shot when I have a chance.

Here are some shots of the most current.






I think I am getting pretty close in completing the board. This weekend I will be doing some final sanding and then to the gloss. If all goes well, I'll be surfing this board soon. Can't wait!

September 23, 2008

The Lonely Soul



This is a new art piece I created called - The Lonely Soul.

September 22, 2008

My Desk in the Garage

Adding the Last Pigment Color


Get the Fin Box In.




I made this template using some left over pegboard and raising it up a tad using some left over balsa. The cut went well. No problems cutting the hole. I used a 1/4 inch router bit with the DeWalt router. Had to make the template pretty low because the bit I used wasn't long enough to cut out a 1 1/8 inch hole.

I needed to do shallow cuts. Probably a 1/4 of an inch at a time. It was weird, any deeper than that, the sound it made was intolerable although it cut just fine.

Coming Soon - Displacement



A new film coming out by Alex Kopps. Looks like it will be pretty good. Can't wait. You can also check out the website at DisplacementFilm.com.

Ready to Sand


September 21, 2008

Displacement Hull


Here is an image that gives you an idea of the curvature of the bottom hull.

September 18, 2008

Icons of Surf Website


So I just finished programming and designing the new website for Ken Mockett over at Icons of Surf a few weeks ago and thought you might want to check it out. They have a great selection of boards , clothing and accessories. Hope you like it Ken!

I'll post some photos of the shop when I have a chance.

Website: http://IconsofSurf.com/

September 17, 2008

Thomas Campbell


The great artist, photographer, filmmaker and writer now has his website up at http://thomascampbell-art.com/. Check it out. His artistic imagination is absolutely amazing. My wife and I are one of the lucky ones to get their hands on a Michel Junod board with artwork by Thomas Campbell. My wife says it's hers, but I like to think of it as ours!

September 15, 2008

Ever wonder what's under the water?

A circus of course!
This is a piece I did super-imposing some images together.