Part 2: High performance Mini Simmons from Insulation foam

Spent some time Saturday in the backyard laboardatory shaping my xps foam insulation blank that I made by glueing 4 sheets of foam insulation board together. 

 

I think the glue lines actually helped the shaping process by giving me a reference point.

Thinning down the tail was tricky but I think I got it pretty close to the way I want it. 

Working on shaping a hullish entry into it, tricky...

Glue lines once again helped in getting it fairly even all the way around...still rough but it's a work in progress.

Rocker view...

So still a lot more shaping and rail work to do but I got it roughly the way I want it.

Stay stoked!!

-James 

Hurley Retro Surfboard Open

Last Saturday was the 2nd annual Hurley Retro Surfboard Open here in Myrtle Beach SC. Surf City Surf Shop did a great job hosting it and had some rad trophies and goody bags for the contestants.  

Check out www.nimbusgss.com for more epic photos.

I put a little video together of the highlights. Enjoy!

http://youtu.be/AeFZI1NpQ2c

-James

Part 1: High performance Mini Simmons from Insulation foam

Got a good start on the board today, got the outline traced on the the foam sheets and cut them out. It will be a stringerless XPS Epoxy high performance mini Simmons, and the dimensions should be 6'x22"x3" with a 14" tail.

Final thickness once I stacked together the 4 sheets was about 3 inches...

Should float me reeeeeally well, eh?

Next I glued 2 sheets together. I decided against gluing them all together at once after reading on www.swaylocks.com that people had trouble with the sheets sliding around. I'll glue on another sheet tonight. I put a board with a rocker I like underneath these 2 sheets and then put sand bags on top so once the glue dries it will have the same rocker shape...

Used gorilla wood glue...

Taped around some of the edges where I saw gaps...

While they were drying I started making the fins from some scrap plywood...

Super stoked so far, should be interesting to see how this crazy experiment turns out. The blank will end up costing around $30, which is about half what a real surfboard blank costs. Figured I would practice on the insulation foam rather then screwing up a nice blank, if this board turns out good maybe my next board will be from a real blank.

Later!

-James

Part 2: Pickup truck becomes Stoke Chaser

         Added a pullout drawer under the bed platform for easy access to gear or surfboards. Found these cool roller ball bearing things at harbor freight that I installed under the drawer so it can slide in and out with ease and added an actual wheel in the back. Also had fun making pocket joints! Here are a few pix of the process...

      Next project will be shaping a mini Simmons from the foam insulation sheeting at Lowe's, should be a fun experiment. Stay tuned for that.... 

-James

Part 1: Pickup truck becomes Stoke Chaser

So I've been seeing other people converting their pickup beds into mini campers and thought I would take a break from surfboard building and see what I could create. Camping weather is here at last! Holden Beach NC, and the Outer Banks aren't that far away, so next time I see a swell coming I'll be ready to go chase it down and camp in luxurious comfort.
Everything I used so far was just scraps I had leftover from other projects. All the frame work and supports are from pallets. I was able to fit a full size mattress in there, and there is lots of room underneath for storage. Here are a few shots of the process, got all this done in one morning.

Part 7: 1980's Quiet Flight Resurrection

The 4' 8" Bantam Fish is done!!! Woot woot!!! Just finished polishing and sanding today and attached the leash. Here are a few shots of the finished product and the before and after. Oh and one cute coincidence, the board ended up being the same height as my wife. :-)

Stay stoked!

James

Part 6: 1980's Quiet Flight Resurrection

Hot coat and gloss coat are done and started sanding and polishing today. Looking pretty rad, sanding is super tricky, had trouble getting it really super duper smooth, but it is pretty decent all things considered. Next time I might pay someone else to glass it and see if they will let me watch.lol Hope to take it out Monday, should be ready then. Brothers will be in town then on Spring break.

Stay stoked!

James