I found my next project?

I found my next project.  See the table on the left.  This is exactly what I need when I am glassing a board.  I have been spending hours draping plastic wrap all around my shop floor only to have some run out through the seams and permanently bond it self to the floor.  I spend my next weekend with a grinder, a hammer and chisel removing the hardened resin from the floor.  This is the aftermath that I don't like about making my boards, but that has all been solved by this handy contraption you see here. I know it doesn't look like much to your but when I found this on the Web that light bulb burst over my head.  Then of course came the "Why didn't I think of that".  Regardless, I will have to start on this right away.  My shop isn't that big so I will have to modify and come up with my own version like something with a hinge in the middle so I can fold for storage. No more grinding the floor!!!!  Now it's off to Urban Ore in Berkeley for some used lumber and casters from the hundreds they have sitting around. If you would like to help build it feel free to stop by.......

Let's Skate

Christmas has past. My oldest son got a skateboard for Christmas, his own. I state "His own" because I have approximately 18 boards hanging up on the wall and another 2 or 3 boards rolling around somewhere in the house. You can never have to many skateboards. I collect boards and try to purchase at least 2-3 every year when they come my way. I started skating back in the 70's and still might have some of my original boards I had as a kid. Of the boards I have collected over the years here are some of my most notable boards:

Steve Caballero Powell Peralta Board from Steve's own collection - Board only - never mounted.
G&S Stacie Peralta Warp Tail - Tracker Trucks- 90a Rat-bones
G&S Neil Blender - Circa late 80's - Tracker Trucks - Sims OJ II Street
G&S Fiberflex - Original release
Logan Earth Ski - Bob Biniak Model - Board and Grip Tape - Never mounted with trucks
Sims Hardcore
Banana Board - By Street Racer
4 Makaha Boards, 2 Plastic and 2 older wood plank boards with clay wheels
Roller Derby #10 Skateboard with Steel Wheels

My oldest is 11 years old which seems like a good time to start his career in skateboarding - You just never know what path a skatboard will take you. He has balance and likes to skate but just does not get out enough to really learn how to manipulate the board. Last September he was fitted with a new skate helmet by Mike McGill at his shop in Encinitas, So Cal. My camera was not working so I am totally bummed that I didn't get this shot. This could be our New Years Res. to try new things like skateboarding and to have my kids get on a skimboard this summer. Here are some of the ages at which some Pros have started skating:

Christian Hosoi - 5 years old
Tony Hawk - 9 years old
Steve Caballero - 12 years old
Steve Alba - 11 years old

My other two kids got scooters for Christmas. This is a great way to start to learn balance and your own ability to accelerate your body, so we will see how it goes trying to get time in for all of their new toys and to skate.

Have not started the new skimboard yet but I should start shaping today.

m

I have free time

I have some free time or should I say much needed vatation time. I will not go back to my day job until next year. This is where you CHEER!!! I need to have a board done in a little over a month. This is completely possible but my ADD kicks in and I start making short videos, web pages for my 10 other product lines or, just start watcing movie marathons, last night it was the Matrix.

What do I need for a Board?

1 - 50" Styrene Blank
A gallon Set of Resin Research and Hardner
Lots of Sand Paper
A trip to Tap Plastics for all the consumables - Plastic resin buckets, stirring sticks, Gloves, Tyvex Suit ( So HOT), and Rolls of plastic.
Polishing Compound
High end Car Polish for the final Coat

I won't get into the entire list as i already have taken my kids college fund to pay for all of the other items needed like a gas mask, files, tape, Airbrush, Ink, more tape, bristle brushes, foam brushes, more tape - the blue stuff and more sandpaper.

I should really start to shape the board this week. I have the blanks come to me about 90% shapped by one of my suppliers. The front and back rocker ( Rocker is the term for the curvature of the board from nose to tail, looking at the board’s edge. There are three primary areas of rocker: nose, middle and tail. ) are already hot wired in based on my original design. I complete the final rail and tail shaping by hand with sandpaper, and sanding blocks. Aside from the artwork stage this is one of the funnest parts of making the board. This is where you can really see your board take shape.

My boards are epoxy resin boards which are very Earth friendly and emit low, if not any at all, VOCs. I will keep you updated as I start the board this week and will post pics as I progress with this board. Stay tuned....

Thanks for reading.

Martin

Almost Christmas!!

What is happening? Been spending a lot of time shopping and getting ready for the Holidays. Have not got a tree yet but might do that tonight. Spent the day in the city with the kids and as i was standing there i got hit by the ever present Seagulls, right on the shoulder. Sick!

The mavs are flat today but they might hit later this week so keep watching the webcams and the surf reports, you might have to make a trip out to HMB. If you do, bring your walking shoes. If you park at the Airport, it's about a 15min walk to the beach and rocky coast. If you choose to view from atop the mountain bring your hiking boots and blankets so you can have a nice seat.

I will be making a Skimboard this month for the Saint Philip Neri Crab Feed. It will be donated as an auction Item. If you would like a chance at the board you can attend the Crab Feed at the Elks Club in Alameda CA. The board will have a starting bid of $225.oo. The board will come with a T-Shirt, maybe a Jacket, some stickers and some red5 wax.

Custom boards are always available. I can put your picture on a board, i can put my picture if you are so inclined. My blanks start out at 50" but they can be customized to any size. Check out the web site for the two boards pictured. This is my flagship model shape.

Hit the waves, even if it's cold. That's why they make wetsuits.....