...if you are making your own blanks, in your own backyard and for super cheap, so I've been told, at least. Greg Loehr would tell you different, but I'm not sure why.
Friday, March 21, 2008
epoxy is only worth it...
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16 comments:
So where are our local shapers getting their blanks from.... and what do they finish them with. Pardon me for being ignorant. I do understand that factory made boards are destructive to our local shapers, but are they now using what the overseas companies are using?
the old epoxies i used to get from ocean,(g.loehr brand) were custom boards,are they no longer?
Every Loehr board I know of is a solid hand-shaped board. I don't think he shapes too many boards anymore because most of his time is taken up with NASA and his resin research.
Our local shapers are buying blocks of EPS and gluing up custom blanks with all types of different stringer setups. Totally customizable and it costs less than buying an epoxy or polyester blank.
Personally, I don't like to use epoxy especially after working with the ever-predictable polyester resin. Epoxy is real temperature and humidity sensitive, and around here its an issue. Precise mixing can eliminate most problems, but I've never been much of a perfectionist
On December 5, 2005, Ian felt a terrible tremor in the force, as if thousands of shapers all cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. Then he fell back asleep on a great big bed of overpriced PUPE boards by Lost, Bing, and Channel Islands.
Meanwhile, thousands of shapers across the world, and even in the state of South Carolina, overcame the challenges of making epoxy surfboards after learning the benefits of making them. And even more surfers figured out the benefits of owning epoxy surfboards. Reduced weight, increased strength, mass availability of materials, all for $100 less than a Channel Islands stock board at McKevlins.
Wait until next time when we see if Ian wakes up and asks his shop owner to finally carry some local surfboards in that new fandangled epoxy construction, or if he just rolls over and hits the snooze button...
Channel Islands has their label on Tuflite boards. Tuflites are pop-outs. McKevlins carries Channel Islands surfboards. Seems a bit hypocritical, in spite of what will surely be a defensive response that they don't carry Tuflite Channel Islands, because you're still indirectly supporting pop-outs.
Dear Tim Mckevlin:
I dont know how my name was thrown into the mix here, but I'd appreciate it if Ian and his cohorts would get the facts straight.
I have not back-doored anyone concerning the sale of surfboards- I came to town and made my rounds to each surf shop, and OCEAN SURF SHOP was the ONLY shop that showed the ability to reciprocate. THANK YOU, Ocean Sports.
The "niche" I THOUGHT that I fit was that of local shaper offering his services to the community....with Mckevlins being voted 'best of..." in Chas., I figured that would be a good combination.
On a side note, whoever the 'gyrator' is, he has no clue as to what is going on in surfboard construction.
He makes the claim about the EPS foam being bad, yet invites the public into their shop(Mckevlins- as far as I can tell, his post alludes to the fact that he is involved w/ them somehow) to purchase the very product he bags on......
Charleston Water Sports?
Chris,
I first want to say that as the blog administrator, I have removed the post in question in fairness to you. I on the other hand, I take a beating on this site almost daily. Mostly because everyone posts anonymously, they'll say all sorts of nice stuff about you one day, and then turn around and say you can't use a 9' pink longboard as a phallic piece. I've been called many names, even a blogger, but my skin has grown thick and it doesn't hurt as much anymore.
I don't have cohorts, you see. Most people who read this rag of a website can't stand me "the surfboard snob" or McKevlin's because of the righteous anti pop-outs campaign. But we do it for people like you, the low volume custom quality shapers. I won't speak for anyone else but myself, but I have a great deal of respect for you as a shaper having sold many of your boards carved for the G&S label over the years. They were an easy sell and people were happy.
All I ask is that you don't associate all the banter that goes on here with myself or Tim or the shop in general. This was started for fun and has grown into a much greater pain in the rear than I ever expected. It's an outlet for some people, and some of the seem to be a little angry, or drunk, when the post. Don't take it personal.
Now get back in that shaping room and whip Tuben' Luden up a new board. He plans on surfing Sunset next winter...
And Narrator, if epoxy is the end all be all, why isn't everyone using it? Is everyone "snoozing" like me, or is it really not that much better?
I gotta go fix some polyester and epoxy boards right now to pay for my overpriced ...lost that works real well. Ask Grasshopper, he loved it.
as for me.... i do learn things from this site... only being on it for a month or two.. i have lots of questions and expect there to be a few wise asses, snobs and douche bags that retort with uselessnes. Thanks to those who have knowledge and dont think they are greater than thou. We actually need the local shapers to be on this blog to bring something to the table.....
Suddenly, as if in a resin-induced hullicination, Ian felt himself transported back to post-WW2 Folly Beach. There, standing at the Atlantic House, a big Redwood board in their hands, were Ian's ancestors, pointing at the other guys, in their infinite forsight and wisdom, saying in one accord: "That new fandangled foam and fiberglass board is for KOOKS! If it's so great, why isn't everybody riding it?" Then, they shuffled off into their shops and garages to sell and repair fiberglass and foam surfboards.
Again, Ian felt like himself speeding like Delorean at 88mph, into the 70s with his ancestors riding single-finned longboards, saying with one accord "Those new fandangled twin fins and short board!! Ha!! Only KOOKS ride those!" Then they shuffled off into their shops and garages to sell and repair twin fin surfboards.
Then, once back home in December 2005, Ian was unable to comprehend things like "choice" and "the right board for the right person for the right wave". He felt confused, lonely, needing to affectionately embrace a big pink PUPE longboard. Then confusion led to madness, then finally to "outrage". "I'm OUTRAGED", he said. "Epoxy and PUPE, living together in shops and garages, co-mingling in the racks. It's not right! It's not moral! It cannot be!"
And with that, Ian fell back asleep and dreamt of a simpler time...when surfboards were white, short, had three fins, and were of pure PUPEness.
The End?
"Personally, I don't like to use epoxy especially after working with the ever-predictable polyester resin."
I've tried it all, and I've decided what's right for me and what I like. Like they say, opinions are like assholes, everybody has one. And there are definitely some "opinions" on here. You read into how you like. Like I've said, this is an outlet for some people, like you. I know real estate is slow, so I'm glad I could help.
Epoxy is hardly some new technology. Back to the ding room to get my fix.
I shouldn't have taken that anti-malaria medicine, my dreams have been real weird lately...
The only reason I said don't use the big pink board as a phallic symbol, is because it isn't your color!
the narrator...you are a bore...i thought with a title such as that I would be mildly entertained. thanks for your input though.
wow, i miss the fun blog, this has become all too hostile, and repetitive...
You are not the only one. After a long rest in Nicaragua, things are going back to the old way.
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