Tuesday, August 26, 2008
RadRob’s Displacement Hull
1. Your Name: RadRob
2. Your Brand name: none
3. How did you hear about us? I work at Foam E-Z.
4. How was your initial experience at Foam E-Z? GREAT!!!
5. Why did you want to build your own board? It's Fun!!!!!!
6. Shape of finished board? Displacement Hull; Inspired by Greg Liddle
7. Size of finished board: Length 6'-4” Nose 18" Width 22.5" Tail 16" Thickness 3"
8. What blank did you use? US Blanks 6-10A Polyurethane Foam
9. How was your board building experience? AWESOME!
10. Did you use videos, books, web, other? I was lucky enough to get help from Matt Bettis (Bettis Surfboards), and Tim Stamps (Stamps Surfboards).
11. What videos, books, web, other did you use? I have watched all the videos we sell here at Foam E-Z.
12. Do you recommend these resources? I always recommend a book, or video to anyone who is starting out making there own boards.
13. What would you recommend to someone else for their first time? Definitely get as much information as you can before starting
Monday, August 4, 2008
Brad Prouty's First Board a Biscuit/Nugget!
Your Name: Brad Prouty
Your Brand name: None (My first board)
How did you hear about us?
Online through google
How was your initial experience at Foam E-Z?
Very Easy, One Stop shopping that went very smoothly.
Why did you want to build your own board?
After surfing shop boards for 3-4 years, I thought it would be cool to ride a board that was built to my specifications and built by myself. Also, I thought it would be a great experience.
Shape of finished board?
Biscuit/Nugget
Size of finished board:
Length 5'6" Nose 16" Width 21" Tail 16.5" Thickness 2.75"
What blank did you use?
US Blanks 6'2"A
How was your board building experience?
My experience was great. It took a decent amount of time but I believe there is nothing better than riding a board that you built yourself.
Did you use videos, books, web, other?
Yes
What videos, books, web, other did you use?
Swaylocks.com, the people on there are so helpful.
Do you recommend these resources?
ABSOLUTELY. It's the best source on the web without a doubt.
What do you wish you knew going into this project?
I wish I knew it would take as long as it did.
What would you recommend to someone else for their first time?
Take your time, ask questions, and just go for it.
What tools did you find most useful?
All I used to build my board was sandpaper, a Surform, and a hand plane.
Where did you run into trouble?
I ran into trouble skinning the deck of the board, the mini hand plane seemed to tear the foam but after a long time sanding I finally got it done.
What kind of fin system did you use?
ProBox Quad with standard production set quads.
Did you glass the board and what was that experience like?
Yes, I glassed the board myself. I had a friend come over and help me glass the bottom and I glassed the deck myself. My biggest tip would be to use UV resin because after you are done you can just stick the board in the sun and wait for it to cure, you don't have to rush with it. Also, many people out there say to glass clear on your first board but using pigment did not add any trouble for me when I glassed the board so do what you want in regards to color.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Exotic Designs Surfboards - 11’ Retro Gentleman’s Gun
Your Name: Ken Moore
Your Brand name: Exotic Designs Surfboards
How did you hear about us? HDX surfboards, Brenden Burgner, Swaylocks.com
How was your initial experience at the shop? Well I come here for most all my supplies. Close to home and handy.
Why did you want to build your own board? I’ve been doing my boards now for about 2 years, in my garage, shaping, glassing, resin color. I want to get to the “Master” level. HaHa! Maybe someday.
Shape of finished board? This board is an 11’ retro gentleman’s gun. With Black and blue stripes and a blue tint flood
What blank did you use? US Blanks 11.3D with custom gun rocker
Why did you decide to build your own board? Cause I’m nuts
How was this board building experience? This one was a lot of work, 10 hours shaping the blank. I swear I was mind melting with it.
Did you use videos, books, web, other? Yes got some gun dimensions from the Kauai and
What videos, books, web, other did you use? Just accumulated knowledge, verbal info from the Foam E-Z guys, Grant, Rob and Brad. Brenden from HDX and swaylocks.com
Do you recommend these resources? Yes definitely
What do you wish you knew going into this project? Resin color control
What would you recommend to someone else for their first time? Start with a simple shape and clear glass job. Don’t be afraid and do all preparation before executing.
What tools did you find most useful? Power planer, Surform, sand block, power sander, and my hand’s, eye’s and brain (what’s left of it!!).
Where did you run into trouble? Resin coloring. I wanted crisper more pointy stripes. But the customer loved it the way it came out.
Glass on or box fins? What kind? Big custom glass on. Fin shape from Robin Mair of
Did you glass the board and what was that experience like? Yes I did. On this board It was my fourth resin color job. I thought I was sure what to do to achieve the effect that I was going for, but the stripes bled on me and didn’t come out pointy like I wanted.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Roots Surfboards by Brandon Davis
Customer Name: Brandon Davis
Brand name: Roots
How did you hear about us? Surfin the net for supplies
How was your initial experience at Foam E-Z? Smooth ordering on-line, was able to adjust my order when I needed to add some things last minute.
Why did you want to build your own board? Wanted a quad fish with a retro vibe and just couldn’t swing the money for what I wanted. Also I’ve always been a DIY kinda guy and thought that it would deepen my connection with surfing in the grand scheme of things
Shape of finished board: Retro Skinny Fish
Size of finished board: Length 5’11” Nose 17.5” Width 21” Tail 16.5” Thickness 2 7/8”
What blank did you use? 61HTM Bennett Foam blank.
How was your board building experience? Intense it was a lot like sculpture design or pottery where it’s a multistep process that takes shape and becomes your vision as you go.
Did you use videos, books, web, other? DVD’s; You Tube; Local Shop; Foam E-Z
What videos, books, web, other did you use? Shaping 101, Futures Install DVD, art of Design book.
Do you recommend these resources? Absolutely, the more info and ideas/viewpoints you can get the better.
What do you wish you knew going into this project? More trick tips on cleaner lap lines, resin tinting, fabric inlay, methods for perfecting concave design.
What would you recommend to someone else for their first time? DON’T RUSH!
What tools did you find most useful? Microblades replacement blades saved time on the blank and finish sanding, good sharp trim plane, power sander, Futures Install Jig/Kit.
Where did you run into trouble? Cutting in my concave for evenness was a battle. I finally got it but there’s gotta be a methodical approach rather than “eyeing it”.
What kind of fin system did you use? FUTURES, the install kit I got from Foam E-Z was badass!!! Simplified things immensely and was easy to use right outta the box.
Did you glass the board and what was that experience like? Yes I did glass the board it was my second board I’ve ever done and it was better than the first. For your first I was told to not mess with resin tints and pigments which was great advice because it allowed me to focus more on laps and clean lines. For this board I jumped up to the plate and did a Paisley fabric inlay on the deck and green resin tint to put some pop in the overall look. I tried to lay the tint uneven to give the appearance of water color paintings- came out awesome still need to work on perfecting concaves and lap lines. The biggest thing I can say to first time shaper/glasser is; TAKE YOUR TIME AND IT WILL SHINE THRU IN THE END!!!!!
Monday, May 19, 2008
Exotic Designs by Ken Moore
Customer Name: Ken Moore
Brand name: Exotic Designs Surfboards
How was your initial experience at Foam E-Z? It was good, low keyed and friendly.
Why did you want to build your own board? I used to have HDX (cutting service) to do my boards for me, and I would always help at different stages and learn. As HDX grew and I learned more, I decided to tackle the craft on my own.
Shape of finished board? The one I’m showing is a swallow tail fish. My 4th board, start to finish.
Size of finished board: 6 Foot; 14”Nose; 20.5”Wide;16.25” Tail; 2.5”Thick
What blank did you use? Just Foam 6-9
How was your board building experience? Enlightening.
Did you use videos, books, web, other? Yes.
What videos, books, web, other did you use? Just accumulated knowledge, verbal info from the Foam E-Z guys, Grant, Rob and Brad. Brendon from HDX and swaylocks.com
Do you recommend these resources? Yes definitely.
What do you wish you knew going into this project? How to make resin color swirls; when you squeegee it the colors blend into mud color (not good). You have to pour the entire surface before pulling off the excess resin. When masking a cut-lap on foam to press the tape down with a plastic card (colored cut-lap bled a little). What’s the best polishing technique.
What would you recommend to someone else for their first time? Prepare before executing.
What tools did you find most useful? Power planer, Surform, sand block, power sander.
Where did you run into trouble? Sanding the hot coat, sanded through in a few spots, but I fixed them.
What kind of fin system? Probox Fin Systems - quad fin box set up, twin keel fins installed.
Did you glass the board and what was that experience like? Yes I did. It was my first resin color job. I wasn’t sure what to do to achieve the effect that I was going for, but I got the bottom close and the deck mudded on me a little. All in all it came out good. The pin lines pulled it all together. The first guy who saw it, bought it!!!
What supplies were purchased from Foam E-Z? Resin, fiberglass, tints and pigments, UV catalyst, regular catalyst, leash plug, polish, blank, squeegee, sanding pad.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)