For a shop in West LA area. - I need a ding repair guy to either work in house or handle my customers at your place. At least be able to do the basics, but most repairs are epoxy/color match, and quality counts above all else. PM me for more work info. If you can also handle other aspects of board buiding, there is more work for you. Thanks!

↧

What PLANER to buy????? Help!

December 14, 2015, 7:14 pm

≫ Next: Bosch Planer

≪ Previous: Ding Repair/ Sander needed in Los Angeles

Forums:

Industry Talk

Hey guys,

I'm new to the site and love all the info i've gotten so far. After all i have read about planers and sanders I am still not sure, and maybe more unsure, of what planer to buy. I am torn between older(Hitachi) and newer(Bosch) and modded already or doing the mods myself. I have not seen anything written on here about the new Bosch PL2632. I was looking into the 1594K and stumbled across the new PL2632 model. I really like the newer model and was wondering what everyone thinks? Also, would Petes Bosch mods work on the newer modek if I went that route.

There is also the Hitachi route. I like the older SB model but is that stupid being that there is the ST available now? Basically, I'm totally boggled. I would love to know what everyone else has to say about this.

Oh, and there is also the new Milwaukee M18 Cordless Planer. Im a huge Milwaukee fanboy for my carpentary tools and already have the M18 Fuel Lineup stuff. So batteries would be no problem. But would a cordless Milwaukee Planer be any good?

I don't mind spending money. I cannot justify the Accurate but would definitely prefer that over anything else. I will keep an eye out for the Skil 100 but who knows about finding the right one. I need somehting right now.

Thanks for all the help and again this site is great!! Here are my two basic questions:

1. What planer would you reccomend buying? Modded already or DIY, what Brand, Model, etc.

2. Also, whats a good sander? I know the Milwaukee is great and I love their stuff but I would like to hear what everyone else thinks about this also.

↧

Bosch Planer

December 17, 2015, 9:47 am

≫ Next: Router??

≪ Previous: What PLANER to buy????? Help!

Forums:

Industry Talk

OK, so I finally found and bought the Bosch 1594k. Had to drive to northern NJ to find a store that had them in stock. As far as I can tell they are sold out everywhere in NJ now, so I guess I made up my mind at the right time. There might be one left which leads me to my first question.

I noticed a couple of things when inspecting the planer. I took the belt cover off and noticed some metal shavings in the cover. The planer seems fine but I was wondering if thats normal? Also, I have heard that this planer is pretty famous for mis-aligned shoes and blades hence the planer be discontinued. I checked mine out and sure enough the planer shoes are not aligned perfectly. The blades look like they can be adjusted pretty easily but the front shoe when zero'd out is not at the same height as the rear shoe. I have read a lot of reviews about this problem. The planer apparently will always take something off even if set to "0". I have also read that the shoes are not level which in turn is not giving a level cut.

I am pretty sure I will be sending the planer out to Petec for modding. I would love to be able to do it myself but there is not much information around that is detailed enough for me to just jump into somehting like that. I am very handy and love fiddling with things and modding them myself. If anyone has any suggstions for modding this myself I would love the info. Again though, I will likely send it to Petec for modding if it doesn't seem like something I can do. I am not sure if he is still selling just the DIY kit.

Anyway, back to the shoe alignment issues. I was wondering if this problem can be fixed by me or adjusted by me? And does the planer not really ever being zero'd out effect me for shaping? The metal shavings were a bit unnerving. I am half tempted at this point to return the planer but would appreciate imput you all might have.

So far I am loving this site and am really glad it exsists. I have shaped a few boards myself already but never did much with the electric planer. The one available was chewing the board up and I loved the hands on approach anyway. I am converting my shed into a shaping shack so I will have more questions in the fututre. I do have a Delta 50-840 Dust Collector and was wondering if thats sufficient to hook up to the planer? Also, like i said before, if anyone can help me with some info on mods i can do myself that'd be awesome. I know for a fact that sending it to Pete is a surre bet but I would love to do one myself if at all possible(in all reality it'll likely go to Pete) and if the DIY kit is available.

Thanks again everyone for the help so far. And a big thanks to Pete who gave me a good history lesson is planers the other day!

↧

Router??

December 17, 2015, 10:02 am

≫ Next: Engineering jobs in the surf industry

≪ Previous: Bosch Planer

Forums:

Industry Talk

Ok, so as you have noticed already I am new to this and am asking a lot of questions. I appologize for that. I was wondering what router you all may be using for fin boxes and anything else it might be used for that I don't know about. I saw in a forum that a guy was doing the initial rough cut from the new blank with a router and a styrofoam bit. Seemed like a good idea and probably much easier and more efficient.

I am wondering which would be best to buy? I would likely be using it for woodwork also but it seems the newer compact routers can tackle most situations and are certainly ideal for the surfboard applications. There are a couple kits that I saw and wanted to know what you all are using(if you're using them). The kits I am intersted in are the Bosch "Colt" kit and the Makita RT0701 kit(which has a ton of extras). Both are compact and I am sure a lot of you use the Makita as it comes with some Future fin box sets. I will be making a good deal of single fins if that makes any difference. Thanks

↧

Engineering jobs in the surf industry

January 25, 2016, 11:54 am

≫ Next: 2000 sf Surfboard factory available in Ventura..

≪ Previous: Router??

Topics:

Surfboard engineering

Forums:

Industry Talk

Hello all,

I am new to swaylocks. I'm a mechanical engineering student and have been surfing for the past 10 years. I'm looking for help finding information on possible career paths as an engineer in the surfboard industry. I'm also curious about how surfing companies go about creating new products, who creates the those products and what their typical background would be, who tests thoses products and how I would go about pursuing a career as an engineer in the surf industry.

If anyone has and knowledge on the subject I would greatly appreciate it.

↧

2000 sf Surfboard factory available in Ventura..

January 28, 2016, 12:50 am

≫ Next: Cutting Technician Wanted

≪ Previous: Engineering jobs in the surf industry

Forums:

Industry Talk

Our glass factory is expanding to a bigger facility

If someone is interested in a 2000sf fully legal permited glass shop in ventura let me know.

2 shaping bays

2 sanding rooms

1 spray room

Large lam room

decent finning station.

grandfathered in at a low lease rate

Turn key operation. Shop operates at 33 boards per week smoothly with current configuration, add some wall racks and you can up that number.

FullSizeRender.jpg

↧

Cutting Technician Wanted

February 5, 2016, 1:43 pm

≫ Next: S

≪ Previous: 2000 sf Surfboard factory available in Ventura..

Forums:

Industry Talk

About Varial: Varial Surf Technology is a premium, technology-driven action sports brand whose focus is to revolutionize surfing through advanced engineering. We create new, premium, high-performance technologies to enhance the experience for surfers of all skill levels. Varial Foam, our flagship product, is revolutionizing the surfboard materials industry, and we are looking to grow our team. For more information about Varial, please visit www.varialsurf.com.

Position: Cutting Technician

Location: Ventura, California

Department: Engineering

Reports to: CEO

Status: Part time

Salary: Hourly $12-15 per hour

Role: We want a motivated, organized, and intelligent Cutting Technician to join our team at Varial Surf Technology. A successful candidate will be operating the most advanced surfboard CNC machine on the market, providing cut blanks to the top shapers and athletes in the surfing industry. Cutting Technician is also responsible for maintaining a clean office and warehouse. Considered applicants must be very detail oriented and efficient with basic mathematics.

Responsibilities:

Operate CNC machine
Maintain safe and clean office and warehouse environment
Conduct monthly product inventory
Pack and ship orders
Receive incoming blank shipments
Light office management and administrative work

Requirements:

High school Diploma or GED equivalent
Basic computer skill (Microsoft Outlook, Word, Exel, etc.)
Must be able to lift 45+lbs overhead

Preferred Experience:

Previous or current work in surf or action sports industry
Shape 3D, AKU, Surf Cad experience a plus
Knowledge of surfboard manufacturing a plus
Ability to multi-task and work in various areas of the business

Interested parties should email a copy of their resume, references, and cover letter, to info@varialsurf.com in PDF format.

↧

S

March 29, 2016, 3:09 pm

≫ Next: Superfused EPS in Europe?

≪ Previous: Cutting Technician Wanted

Forums:

Industry Talk

↧

Superfused EPS in Europe?

May 10, 2016, 3:54 pm

≫ Next: Gloss coat?

≪ Previous: S

Forums:

Industry Talk

So I began shaping my first board, a 6'5" shortboard, about 30kg/m^3 density. It is made of tiny "foam balls". As i know, you can choose between superfused EPS and block cut on usblanks' site, although, I haven't found any Europe based superfused foam dealers and was wondering if there's one.

Thanks guys

↧

Gloss coat?

June 20, 2016, 3:58 am

≫ Next: Dust collector

≪ Previous: Superfused EPS in Europe?

Forums:

General Discussion

Hi Folks,

I'm shaping my first EPS shortboard, a 6'5" with thruster fins and just finished the bottom hot coat. I'm a bit short of epoxy resin and hardener. What do you suggest, just sand the hot coat and the board is ready, or after sanding get some more resin and apply a gloss coat as well. What else shall i do after sanding the hot coat on both sides? Any experience?

Thanks for help!

IMG_0634.JPG

↧

Dust collector

July 5, 2016, 6:59 pm

≫ Next: Attntn Kazuma

≪ Previous: Gloss coat?

Topics:

Dust collector system

Forums:

Industry Talk

Hi guys,

At our shop were tired of the dust that the sanding room generates. We have decided to buy a dust collector to put an end to that issue. The sanding is 16’4 long x 9’10 width x 7’2 high. I was thinking in buying something like this:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/compare/?errorURL=ProductAttributeErrorView&langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053&prodComp_0=203580539&prodComp_1=203580541&prodComp_2=203580537&keyword=2HP%20dust%20collector

what do you guys think? Any of you have had a dust collector system like this one? Any thoughts?

↧

Attntn Kazuma

July 20, 2016, 12:12 pm

≫ Next: carbon fibre to replace wood stringer

≪ Previous: Dust collector

Forums:

Industry Talk

Aloha,

I've been making custom fins for decades.

I could mention a few icons in the surf world, Horan, Repogle, Fletcher & Mel to name three.

I was reading the tread on quad at Pe ahi and my interest was sparked.

I would like to make a set of quads and send them to you.

They will be from carbon-fiber/fiberglass/epoxy panel I stack myself.

I'll set the cant to you specs. and cut them from templates you choose.

I've had good success with 70/30 foils on trailers and would like you to consider this

as an option. In any case the foils will be something different for you to try.

Certainly thicker foils give more stability, change direction more smoothly.

at the same time they can depending on the foil create more drag.

It seems thinner is faster but thicker gives more control.

I have experimented with reverse cant fins and fin them to be an ultimate choice for

directional stability. I'm sure that the reason the tail wings on an

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_SR-71_Blackbird

were set as they were. Clearly quad fins, be they lead fins or trailers set with

negative can will give greater directional stability, but will also have a big

locked in effect. If you'd like to give this a go send me templates and cant

directives and I'll have at it. I have a few templates of my own that may be

worth considering.

Rich Sanders

Halcyon Custom Fins

1109 Rodriquez St.

Santa Cruz, Ca. 95062

~~~~ give a call if ya like, I'd be have to collaborate with ya ~~~831-345-8195

Stay Stoked, Rich

IMG_0012.JPG

↧

carbon fibre to replace wood stringer

August 14, 2016, 8:33 pm

≫ Next: new longboxes

≪ Previous: Attntn Kazuma

Forums:

Industry Talk

hi want to use a 30mm wide carbon fibre tape on a stringerless blank ,finished board lenth 6 foot 10 in, want to run it on top and bottom down the centre using polyester resin i will after shapping make a channel to lay it in flat so the top of tape is level to foam , depending on thckness of tape then glass it in, then glass over top with 4 oze, can i be conferdent its not going to snap with my first wave.

↧

new longboxes

August 26, 2016, 7:32 am

≫ Next: 3-D printed Fins.

≪ Previous: carbon fibre to replace wood stringer

Forums:

Industry Talk

Stavron Fins new longboxes. New 10.5 & 8.5 longboxes by Mark Stavron. Under the glass and hot coat. Has rocker added to keep the box flush with the board tail rocker. Also big changes in fin fit. already being used by the best glass shops east and west coast and Hawaii.

↧

3-D printed Fins.

September 6, 2016, 5:47 am

≫ Next: help on shaping a nose rider

≪ Previous: new longboxes

Forums:

Industry Talk

I make a small quantity of 3-D printed fins but it's fraught with problems so I've paused to consider my options.

Certainly it's quicker than traditional means of making a fin but it has its own problems so does anyone have any experience with 3-D Kevlar printing or any of the exotic metal printing ? Thanks.

↧

help on shaping a nose rider

September 28, 2016, 6:51 pm

≫ Next: Takeoff

≪ Previous: 3-D printed Fins.

Forums:

Industry Talk

hay guys,

So I’m planning on shaping a nose rider and am after some advice on trying to find a basic outline for board shape and stringer. I’ve done some research on the basic principles of what I’m looking for when it comes to rail, nose, tail and fin shape and how the concave should be and now I’m trying to find a basic plan for my stringer and was wondering if there was any good websites to help me find a plan or diagram on what I’m after. This will be my first nose rider that I’ve ever made and looking for as much advice and information as posable.

Many thanks mike

↧

Takeoff

November 16, 2016, 8:05 am

≫ Next: The Past Present And Future of Surfboard Shaping new Foam E-Z Blog

≪ Previous: help on shaping a nose rider

Forums:

General Discussion

Hi Swaylockers.

Is there a difference between the meanings of the word 'takeoff' when we're discussing board design vs surfer technique? I keep reading 'flatter entry rocker will make the board takeoff earlier'. Does this mean its ability to get up to planing speed?

Thanks in advance

Tom

↧

The Past Present And Future of Surfboard Shaping new Foam E-Z Blog

November 22, 2016, 3:03 am

≫ Next: Agave Market Prices

≪ Previous: Takeoff

Topics:

Forums:

Excerpt from the latest Foam E-Z Blog;

"Slowly and steadily board-builders from around the world have developed a deep well of resources to refer to and share amongst each other. Resources that are perhaps for the first time ever available to anyone of any skill level.
From websites and forums (i.e. Swaylocks), to YouTube channels and podcasts, and [of course] our own backlog of Foam E-Z curated resources (here and here for instance), anyone could pick up a rudimentary idea of what building a board involved if they were so inclined.
This has been undoubtedly one of the preeminent causes for what I will glibly refer to here as the D.I.Y. Shaper Revolution that’s been running strong for the last fifteen or so years. But while this trend has gained popularity amongst the many folks who have taken it upon themselves get their own hands a little dusty, it is been met with its fair share of ire from some of the old guard of surf craftsmen."

READ THE FULL BLOG HERE!

http://foamez.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/the-changing-of-tides.html

725E9BE5-9936-4E4F-ACE4-4E10DD945AF2.JPG

↧

Agave Market Prices

December 14, 2016, 5:51 am

≫ Next: Ideal PU foam compressibility(?)

≪ Previous: The Past Present And Future of Surfboard Shaping new Foam E-Z Blog

Forums:

Industry Talk

IF agave was available to shapers on a commercial level, what would be reasonable rates?
Stringers?
Rails?
Blanks?
Finished boards?

All serious and non serious response appreciated. Thanks

↧