Thread: Paulownia Surfboard

Great looking board. Sweet when things work as well as they look

It's really great to see the end result. Glad to know that it rides well. That's one pleasure I missed out on growing up in my time. ( I had others though)

John

Hi Justinrasta,

Congratulations on the board, I love the contrast of the fins and the deck. The detail around the swallow tail is equally impressive and the fish shape must make it a nice board to ride.

Would you mind me asking some details on construction. I have long wanted to make my own board, something like a 7'6" mini mal, or there abouts. I know you can buy a kit which looks like a good introduction. Is that how you managed this one?

It is hard to tell from the pictures, but it looks to have very little rocker. I suspect that would be the hardest component of construction.

Any information gratefully received.

Anthony

Hi Anthony,
The board came out great but not good enough to keep, I sold it so I could by more wood and start another build. These things are great to build.

I get my kits from the Hollow wooden surfrboard supply co. in Huntington Beach. The guys who own the company are fantastic guys and the kits are really good quality. I wont say they are simple but they aren't that difficult either.

They have heaps of models just check their website.

They have me building a few prototypes and I'll post the outcome here, if you want to check the building process I have a post on Tree to Sea.

"http://www.grainsurf.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=2983"

I actually didn't get the rocker right. I used too wider planks for the decking and that actually flattened the board out. Now I'm using much thinner planks and making sure all the wood is pre bent.

Take care now.
Justin

Thanks Justin, quick response.

I checked out the other forum, that looks fantastic.

I might have a crack too. For the price of the kit they seem great value, but the money is not my priority. Like most people on here, I would rather spend time learning how to make it than just walk into a shop and plonk the $$ down....although that is fine and is how I get most of my "stuff", making things is really enjoyable.

I have to admit to being a better woodworker than surfer, so this project will allow me to practice both aspects.

Just as a matter of interest, when you said the planks on the board have been made thinner, what are their dimensions now (wide x thick). They still appear reasonably thick. Do you have an idea on the completed weight?

Thanks again for sharing your information so openly.

Regards,

Anthony

Hey mate,
Those planks were 50 mm wide x 6 mm thick, now I'm using 20 mm x 4.5 mm.

If you do make one of these boards you will be so impressed by how easy they are to ride, I'll guarantee you surfing will get better.

I'm not a particularly good woodworker just logical I think... I would love to see your finished board???

Justo

Justin,

I suspect you will see the surfboard well before it is finished.....I will be after advice from you well before then.

I have a good supply of woodworking gear (thicknesser, table saw etc) so the actual mechanics will be fine, it will be more about positioning fins etc. I have only ever had boards where that has been decided for me.

Sounds like a fun job, and the combinations of timber are almost endless.

Have you thought about making a solid, balsa board yet? I think with a bandsaw the rocker sould be reasonably straight forward, provided you have an accurate template.

I have been looking at the balsa boards by Mark Riley. They look fantastic, and I like his commitment to the environment too. Just food for thought. I will have a crack at a hollow board first.

I will keep in touch. Thanks again for the information.

Anthony

Mate good to see your keen, trust me it is a really fun thing to build and then surf.

Don't worry about fin positions, you can find heaps of info on the net.

All you will need is a table or bandsaw, I prefer a bandsaw because you don't use so much wood milling the right dimensions. And a thinknesser is essential, I have trhe toy ryobi but because I only mill light stuff all is sweet.

I'm not a large fan of Balsa, mainly because how they get it out of the forest. Balsa tree don't grow side by side like a forestry. Balsa tree grow singularly in the dense rain forests of south east Asia. So if you think about it getting Balsa destroys more trees than it is worth.

Paulownia on the other hand is pretty much considered a weed and grows like crazy in plantations, the tree can be harvested in only five years and produce huge amounts of wood for the age of the tree.

So I think it is a bit ridicules that some board builders talk about being green when being green the wrong way can mean devistation in some of the best rainforestsa around the world.

Wow that my 2 cents worth, did I offend anyone, probably, but who cares...Some can't handle the truth...

You can get some of the best Paulownia from John from Whitewood on the north coast of NSW. His user name on here is Whitewood, great guy.

Yeow...

Justo.

Originally Posted by justinrasta

Paulownia on the other hand is pretty much considered a weed and grows like crazy in plantations, the tree can be harvested in only five years and produce huge amounts of wood for the age of the tree.

So I think it is a bit ridicules that some board builders talk about being green when being green the wrong way can mean devistation in some of the best rainforestsa around the world.

Wow that my 2 cents worth, did I offend anyone, probably, but who cares...Some can't handle the truth...

You can get some of the best Paulownia from John from Whitewood on the north coast of NSW. His user name on here is Whitewood, great guy.

Yeow...

Justo.

Justin,

No offence taken here, thanks for the information. The nice thing about living in a democracy is that we are all allowed an opinion, and should express it without fear. A good debate never hurt anybody.

I will contact Whitewood and arrange some Paulownia. I have seen it growing in a number of places over the past 10 years or so. It seems to grow incredibly fast...understand the comment about it growing like a weed.

I have the opportunity to get my hands on some Red Cedar (Toona Australis, not Western Red). It is recycled, so it suits my approach to reusing when I can. Do you think it would work well on a board? It is light and should be a nice contrast to Paulownia.

Anthony

Absolutly get some contrasting wood and cedar is probably the best place to start. The hardest thign I find with getting cobntrasting wood is wood that is consistant do I can mill a 5mm x 5mm stringer. As an example silky oak is hard to get a good legnth so I'm using it on the outside which doesn't need the length.

Sound like you are on to it.

Good one.

Justo

Are there any suppliers for kits in Aus?

They do have a supplier in Aus but I buy mine direct from Jack and Brad from Wood surfboard supply co.

The kits comes within 6 days, very good service

Originally Posted by Spanner69

Are there any suppliers for kits in Aus?

Capeboatworks

Try this guy. He was at the WWW show in Melbourne. Havent made one myself but the guy seemed pretty friendly and genuine.

Yo Spanner, you can get Grain kits from capeboatworks as BryanMC said. Their designs are basic, but functional. I haven't checked Wood Surfboard Supply Co, so I can't comment on theirs. There are also kits available via surfing green (a Qld based ecco-surf webshop). I haven't checked them out, so they may or may not be the same folks...
Roy Steward from NZ sells plans and kits too. His method is completely unique and not to everyone's tastes, but I believe pretty simple to build.

There are two distinct styles of kits- Paul Jensen solid rail type, which can be a shade heavier, and hollow or strip and feather rails, like the grain kits. A bit more complicated, a little harder to make them look as stunning, but lighter in the end.

I sell whole boards, but could happily produce you a kit if you have no luck with the other guys, or want a custom shape (hopefully not stepping on any toes here...)