I put a 1k resistor onto the wire for my lab supply today stopped it going into current protection. I think cause the nichrome wire is on such a short small hotwire there is not enough resistance. Am in the process of prepping to build an extra big wing. all went pretty smooth so far.
also mocked up a full size template of a board to get a feel for it...still got to chop 6 inches length off it as per paceys suggestions. footstrap positions feel a bit wide might add more inserts than I originally planned on. picked up eps on the weekend...better order some supplies asap.
I'm in total awe of you folks! Aside from the cost of time and effort, and clearly the stoke of building your own, do you save a lot of money doing this compared to buying something new from a shop?
Hi Brendan,
Its mostly for the fun of doing it (in my case anyway). Costs are lower than retail but then resale is zero compared to commercial product, though the finish on others boards on her looks fully pro. There is lots of good info on the web and people to help out with advice. I think planning is the key thing for me, once i mix the resin you are working to a bit of time constraint so organisation makes things run smooth(ish) and helps you to deal with things not quite going to plan. You don't need a lot of tools to get into it but having a good space to build in is the way to go.
Prob buying good cond secondhand is the most effective cost wise and keeps your life simple.
I like building over the winter down here in Tas cause i am usually out of the water for 3 months, it helps to keep me keen and thinking about getting back in when temps are a bit more enjoyable.
Materials are not that expensive: $100 for foam, $160 for carbon, maybe $120 for good epoxy, $65 for 3mm divinycell for deck, 4oz glass is cheap, $60 for deck pad, plus 2 fin boxes, strap inserts, vent and leash plug, lots of sandpaper, gloves, masks, squeegees. So maybe $600 for a good strong carbon board. Which if you make it well, will be able to sell second hand for more than the cost of materials .
But setup can be costly, you need a good pump setup, and a pump failure can result in the board being scrapped, so it's worth getting a good one. You probably need some hot wiring gear, a good orbital sander, a router, shaping stands, a shop vacuum cleaner etc.
But if the setup is not prohibitive, building the board is not that hard, and you can get an outcome like this one we glassed a couple of days ago, 5.5 kg before the filler coat:
That board looks nice!
been thinking about cutting some concave in the deck, do you think it is worth the hassle? i was thinking off peeling 10mm off the deck cutting out the grip pad area and then gluing it back on the blank.
Has anyone got any good tips on wire to use in a hot wire, i am just using unwound guitar strings atm but sounds like stainless wire may be better.
Thanks ill scrap the concave deck, it was going to be more aesthetic than functional i think. I'll get out to Jaycar and get some proper wire, the other local electronics store was saying that vape stores carry nichrome wire as well... just in case you are stocking up on some vaping supplies and need some hotwire gear (dunno what gauge they have tho).