[ivanmcp]

Hey, I was wondering if anyone in here rides the surfboard that they made themselves.

I did this some years ago, in my spare bedroom!!! Made around 12 boards, believe it or not. Still have around half, others I destroyed, since they did not come up to scratch. I'll find some photos to place in here.

I found it to be an awesome experience, and very satisfying one. Now when I go, my Nigel Semmens boards stay at home .

If anyone is interested, I can write full instructions on how to do it, from the newbie point of view. Hardest thing for me was to get trade secrets on how to do it, but some time spent at Local Hero factory and few others, and lots of trial and error has demystified whole process.

If up for a challenge and done properly, riding the board you made is a unique experience.

[seaslave1]

Originally Posted by ivanmcp

Hey, I was wondering if anyone in here rides the surfboard that they made themselves.

I did this some years ago, in my spare bedroom!!! Made around 12 boards, believe it or not. Still have around half, others I destroyed, since they did not come up to scratch. I'll find some photos to place in here.

I found it to be an awesome experience, and very satisfying one. Now when I go, my Nigel Semmens boards stay at home .

If anyone is interested, I can write full instructions on how to do it, from the newbie point of view. Hardest thing for me was to get trade secrets on how to do it, but some time spent at Local Hero factory and few others, and lots of trial and error has demystified whole process.

If up for a challenge and done properly, riding the board you made is a unique experience.

What a brilliant idea, maybe you could post a seperate thread, just for that. I would definitely have a go if it was feasable. If you did, we could all have a go and post our progress and end product.

I'm game!

[NoHoper]

I agree this is some thing I would love to try

[Sad?Old Hippie]

Yeah...def up 4 this 1

Must b well satisfyin catchin a wave on sumthin u made urself

[seaslave1]

Looks like there could be a shortage of sandpaper this summer then!!

[ANCIENTWILLIAM]

In for the proverbial penny, in for the proverbial pound !!!

[just dan]

i would soo love to make my own board. it would be the ultimate thing to ri your own wave with your own board that you put the effort into making yourself. how do we find out how to do this... p.s im sorted for sandpaper i found some cheap so have huuuuge rolls of the stuff.

[Far_Canal]

Hey Ivan, HOw was the trip?

It's James - AKA GTM, been back since Nov, I'm writing up my trip at the moment, I'll send you a copy when finished, if you wanna do somthing with it...

very interested in the DIY board thing, from a complete novice point of view tho..?

J.

[ivanmcp]

Here is old picture of one of my boards. It is nasty and out of focus (disposable camera), but you will get the idea. I will take some more asap, so photos will be much better.

Notice logo? Hehe, did that myself, and had it printed by people that do this sort of thing for a number of commercial board factories.

There is now 'Dreamtime' surf school in Perranporth. Hmmmmm....

Full instructions soon.

Also James, had awesome trip, just like you did - ok, maybe not AS good as yours. Will write whole thing with lot of images. I am looking forward to read your own one, since we could not fix this forum fast enough for your live reports. Nevermind, I'm sure you'll be off again .

[Alsone]

There are books on the subject advertised on A1 Surf.com if anyone is interested. Can't remember the titles off the top but advert claims are definitive guides. See the shop if don't pop up on front page (always appear in ads down right hand side of page below Headland Hotel Advert).

Alsone.

PS Nice looking boards Ivan.

[seaslave1]

When ya gonna be posting the instructions then Ivan? Can't wait to see how its done.

WAITING IN ANTICIPATION!!

[ivanmcp]

Originally Posted by seaslave1

When ya gonna be posting the instructions then Ivan? Can't wait to see how its done.

WAITING IN ANTICIPATION!!

I will indeed, but need to find some more time first. I have much more coursework at the uni this year, so need to work on those. 8 weeks to go, and then all my time will go in here. Got some nice additions waiting in the wings.

But I can't wait to get those boards out and take some nicer images.

In the meantime, here are few photos that have been somewhat enhanced...

[Sad?Old Hippie]

Nice ass there Ivan...that belong 2 u then or ave u just borrowed it from some hot young thing

We've started sumthin 4 sure...hows about all u uther Surfnewquay peeps followin suit...post a piccy of ur ass...we cud ave a competition or sumthin

Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez...can see MJ panickin allready...no wurris hun...u can sit this 1 out...kno u've got a major ass hangup...sure its fine tho...no wurris..."oooohhhhhhh..gonna take me home 2nite Fat Bottomed Girls u make t rockin world go round"

[nemesisss]

Nice board m8 but what equipment do u need to make ure own board and how much does it cost plz

[greenfish]

what you need to make your 1st board:

1. and this is open to debate, a power planer. nothing fancy, just one that opens and closes with no 'clicks'. you can buy a cheap one, and take the depth handle off, and take out the 'clicker' so it spins freely. this is a very important tool, and it will be easier to get an even, flat bottom/deck with this rather than a sureform alone.

2. sureform - how'd you guess?

3. block plane for cutting down the stringer

4. some sanding blocks - just some various sizes of wood - 1', 6" should be enough

5. various sand papers - #40, 80, 120, and 220 if you want to go that far

6. tape measure

7. large carpenters square - L shaped square

8. some sort of calipers - which you can make out of anything firm - to mearsure thickness. although, these are for more presice work than just making a board to ride.

9. some kind of rack to hold the blank while you shape it.

10 dust mask and eye protection for when you use the planer.

there are much more tools needed to glass/finish the board. i made my 1st board with a planer, sureform, and sanding blocks. make more tools if you need them - much cheaper than buying, and you can use you foam cut offs for most of them...

good luck, and have fun. be careful though, you may get bitten by the shaping bug...

best,