0. How to get blanks
If you are a hobbyist surfboard maker like myself, you have to get the blanks before you can shape them.
You can buy commercially available blanks, but as an amateur shaper, I would like to approach this in a different way.
The three main ways I can think of to obtain the blanks are as follows
- cut and use scrap board
- buy and use insulation foam for houses
- ask for it
1. cut and use scrap boards
This is my favorite method in terms of cost and reuse.
The idea is to partially reuse old surfboards before they become garbage.
However, it does not mean that you can shape them in any design you like.
The surfboards were originally shaped by professional shapers with their own intentions in mind, so the choice of outlines, rockers, etc. is limited.
Still, I think it is a meaningful way to reuse surfboards.
It feels good just to reuse surfboards instead of buying petroleum products.
(The resin to be glassed is a petroleum product…)
2. purchase and use home insulation foam
Residential insulation foam can be purchased at home improvement stores.
W:900mm L:1800mm (@3’ X 6’) is the standard size in Japan.
Various thicknesses from 20mm to 100mm (@0.8” ~ 3.9”) are available, so it can be cut to the required thickness, inserted between stringers, and glued in place.
However, polyester resin cannot be used for residential insulation foam because it is polystyrene foam.
This is because it dissolves the foam itself.
Therefore, epoxy resin is used for glassing.
Epoxy resin is somewhat more expensive than polyester resin, and temperature control during glassing is more severe.
This is no different from purchasing regular blanks, and there is no consideration for the environment.
3. receive
If you have a professional shaper that you know well and they know that you are an amateur shaper, they will give you a shaping form that has failed during the shaping process.
In some cases, you can receive a form that has failed during the shaping process.
In this case, the design is custom-made and you may not like it, but you will have the opportunity to see professional shaping up close.
Once the shape is slightly modified to your liking, all that is left is the glassing and you are ready to go.
The performance of the surfboard will be very promising.