Little Tricks help.

What I try to do with my projects is keep the process simple.   I do my spar layout and build my jig.  It's simple if you have the drawing.

I work from the center and the leading edges of my jig meet the leading edge of the ribs.  Maybe that will make sense to some.

My next step is glue the ribs to the spar.  No big deal hopefully.

That needs to dry overnight.  Another little trick for balsa and paulownia bottom panels.  I preshape them with window cleaner spray that has ammonia.

It's much easier to work with in the steps ahead.

Oh and we have been getting a little bump.  We need more.

Bottom Panel and jig prep.

I finished the bottom panel.  It's mostly balsa with some paulownia mixed in for support 0f the spar and stringers.

I did all the layout to build my cradle jig.  It's my method instead of a rocker table.  For me it's easier to build the jig.

The water is warm and the waves are fun for boogie boarding.  Life is good.  Also a shout out to the wood surfboard crew at: Wood Surfboard Builders

Funboard Ribs and Spar

It takes me a couple days to get all these parts cut out and notched.  I did a test fit to see how it is.  Everything fits like it's suppose to.  I'll start making my bottom panel next.

Ormond by the Sea Wood Surfboards Gathering

Date:                   October 13, 14 & 15th

Location:            Renick Park off A1A in OBS

Time:                  9 AM - 3 PM  Saturday/Sunday

for more information follow this link:   OBS Wood Surfboards Gathering

Old school drafting.

It's a lot of fun for me to do some drafting on my latest project.  Today, I transposed the drawing of the spar to the luan ply.  For me it's much more rewarding to do this by hand instead of using a computer program.

When I draw my spar on the luan I only do from the first to last rib.  The nose and tail sections get built out later.  The rib patterns are ready to get glued to the luan and then its cut out time.  We have been getting small fun waves every once in a while.

According to the weather people there is a tropical depression headed our way.  That's what we really need.

Plans are done of 7' funboard.

It's nice to have a mini longboard for those small days.  Small surf happens a lot here in central Florida.  I'm excited about building a copy of one of my favorites.  I start with making a full scale drawing and from that create the ribs and spar.

Once I have the rib patterns the notches for the spar and stringers are added.  This board has 13 ribs spaced at 6" intervals.

The spar and ribs are made from the luana door skin found at Lowe's.  I use a bandsaw to cut those out.  Most of the interior material is remove from the spar and ribs to save weight.  The engineering I use on my ribs and spar are I beam designs.

In With the New.

For the past 2 months I've been doing a lot of work on my house.  On those rare occasions when we have surf I try to get out.   A few days ago we had the grooming wind with a little swell.  That made it fun.

My next hollow wood surfboard project is on hold.  It's going to be a while before I can get back to it.  Life goes on.