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how to make a surfboard

Surfboards are a tool for ronin entertainment around the world, as well as a friend of everyone who loves surfing. Early surfboards were made of solid wood and required superb driving skills.

  • In 1926, Tom Blake made a hollow surfboard with a light weight, half the weight of a traditional surfboard;
  • In 1931, Tom Blake patented technology to manufacture surfboards;
  • The tail fin was invented in 1935 to help surfers control the surfboard.

During this period, surfboard makers almost tried to manufacture surfboards of various sizes, shapes, weights and materials, and new materials were constantly being used in the production of surfboards, such as the common glass fiber and new materials. The surfboard is lighter and easier to control.

Surfing is an exciting, fashionable, happy and unique sport. There are a lot of people around the world at every moment of the day. They follow the sun, follow the waves, and enjoy surfing until sunset. Enjoying in the sea, consume physical energy, regain energy, confidence, courage, exercise, and experience the happiness of freedom.

how to make a surfboard
  • The Second World War gave birth to the development of chemicals and new materials, which can bond layers of wood together. Materials such as glass fiber reinforced plastic, synthetic resin and foam plastic also appeared in World War II.
  • The 1950s ushered in the golden age of surfing. After the war, people's cultural life became more colorful. Beach-themed movies and surfing fashion commercialized the sport and established the lifestyle it represents. Since then, surfing has gradually become a global sport from a niche sport on the island.

There are many kinds of materials and methods for making modern surfboards. For example, in 2005, Surftech broke the traditional hand-made board and adopted CAD programs and film injection technology to mass-produce sturdy and light surfboards. Although the materials and methods of making surfboards are constantly changing, surfing still inherits the lifestyle it has established many years ago.

Making surfboards is not only an art, but also a responsibility. Next, let’s take a look at how a surfboard is made (part of the craft and process, omitted)

how to make a surfboard?

Production steps of Paddle board

1、Shaping the blocks

1.Customer datasheet available, you can order your length, width, density, thickness, nose, tail or others. all information provided by the customer should be a PDF, AI file, provided with the logo. 

If it's a thin surfboard, we put a piece of wood stringer in the middle of the board to give the board more strength and stability. If it is paddle board, we suggest not to increase, but if the customer needs, we will increase according to the customer's requirements.

2.Our Shaper

Mr. Shi is an Chinese prefect surfboard shaper, and the teacher. He worked with One famous board factory as the plant manager. He familiar with each processing, row material and make surfboard design. Teach a lot of the shaper here to work with the factory. Called the “ master”, which remains the quality standard and stable.

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3.Our CNC shaping, customize standard shape ( AKU / S 3D/ IGS optional)

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2、Laminating the outer shell

1: Flexible the material of the layout (6OZ fiberglass, carbon fiber, bamboo veneer, wood paper)

2: Qualified the epoxy and performance fiberglass.

3: With vacuum technology ensure the strength (PVC foam, bamboo veneer)

4: Reduce the bubbles, sufficiently connection.

Hot-coat=a coat of resin applied over the glassed surfboard

Gloss-cost=a coat of resin applied over the sanded hot-coat

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3、Sanding the boards

Adding the fittings

1: Dry sanded

2: Wet sanded

3: To ensure the smooth and consistence

4: Avoid gouging into the fiberglass layer

5: Ensure the boards shape

6: Customize fittings (fin system, handle, vent system etc)

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4、Artwork and painting

  1. 1: Customize airbrushing or Spray Painting the blank
  2. 2: Printing logo laminates
  3. 3: 4 colors water sticker or acetic sheet available
  4. 4: Qualified enviro-paints to keep
  5. 5: Color well
  6. 6: Anti- UV
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5、Final Finishing Polish

  1. 1: Qualified polish wax
  2. 2: Mirror effective
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6、Quality Control

A surfboard is visually inspected several times during the manufacturing process, the blank is inspected for voids and other defects after it comes out of the mold. The shaping step. Which is critical to the appearance and performance of the board, takes place in a well-illuminated area to allow the builder to spot any imperfections. The board is given a final inspection after the sanding and finishing step to ensure it meets the craft standards of the builder.

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For the surfers, the surfboard is the most precious partner in daily life. It accompanies you to ride in the sea together, and has countless unforgettable memories with you. Do you know how a surfboard is made? Or do you want to DIY your own surfboard? Come and find out!

How to make a surfboard of your own?

1. Shaping the blank

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(1)Cutting the blank

Use an electric planer to remove the outer layer of the bare board. Next, use a mold to draw the shape of the surfboard on one half of the bare board. Carefully cut the board shape with a hand saw on the bare board, and repeat the same steps above on the other half of the wave board, so that you can make a square edge and a symmetrical surfboard shape on both sides.

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(2)Rail shaping and sanding

To turn the edge of the board into the edge of the corrugated board, the foam must be shaved off until the desired shape is repaired. The hard-edged rail is made to quickly and intensively make turning movements, while the soft, round rail is made to increase the stability and driveability of the board. Next, turn the bare board to the side, and move the sandpaper along the edge of the board to the end. Repeat the same action on the other side of the board edge until the appearance reaches your ideal Chengdu. Finally, use sandpaper to smooth the surface and bottom of the corrugated board until smooth.

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After this stage is over, you should have a surfboard with a complete shape, but it has not been covered by the glass fiber layer and the rudder has not been installed.

2. use glass cloth or inserts to close the surfboard

(1)Covering the board in cloth

First, spread a flat glass fiber cloth on one side of the corrugated board, and cut the glass fiber cloth into the shape of the corrugated board with sharp scissors. The fiberglass cloth must be large enough to cover the other side of the corrugated board.

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(2)Applying the resin

Pour the mixture of resin and hardener on the langban covered with glass fiber cloth and smooth it with a spatula. The entire surface of the corrugated board should be wetted with resin. When the mixture of resin and curing agent gradually solidifies, it can be moved around the corrugated board and smoothed evenly. Repeat the above actions on the opposite side of the wave board. Next, apply another layer of resin, this time mixing surfactants. This will be the layer smoothed with sandpaper during the polishing stage, also known as hot coat. Use soft gauze paper to smooth the last layer of resin, and then turn the corrugated board over to repeat the same steps.

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3. Finishing

(1)Applying the fin box

At a distance of about four inches from the center of the ridge of the corrugated board to the tail of the board, outline the outline of the rudder seat. Take a sharp screwdriver to hollow out the fiberglass, slab ridges and foam in this area. Then, fix the rudder tank with a mixture of resin and hardener.

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(2)Polishing

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Finally, use a polishing machine to make the most ideal polishing surface on the front and back of the surfboard.

4.Required materials

PU foam bare board, glass fiber cloth, polyester resin, hardener, surfactant, electric planer, mini hand planer holder, hand saw, scissors, sandpaper, rubber gloves, mask, mixing bucket, measuring cylinder, scraper

Of course, it is not just these tools that can cut boards. To become a qualified board chipper, you also need to have many years of surfing experience and a unique love and focus on surfing.

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Post time: Dec-27-2021