Doea it cost more to make your own surfboard than but one?

Question

Doea it cost more to make your own surfboard than but one?

Answer 1

yes and no because the blank and stuff are cheaper if you already have the tools. but i think its safer to by one so ou dont have the chance to mess up your board

Answer 2

Well, buying the materials needed from the blank out, is definitely cheaper. However, you need tools, including a good power sander, and possibly a power planer, which can run into a lot of money if it is going to be a one time project.

Also, you need a place to do the work, and your garage is probably not the Best place. In the 60s, my buddies and I made boards (usually by stripping down older boards for the blanks. We fixed boards and did all kinds of stuff. In the course of that, I'm sure we killed a zillion brain cells by breathing in the resin vapors. We got kicked out of a couple attached garages by moms and dads because of that problem.

Now, if you have the shop, the knowledge/skill, and the right tools, it is definitely cheaper and can be real fun, creating just the right board that you want.

http://www.surfersteve.com/glosscoat.htm

PS, only one of the ones that I shaped was really any good, but is sure was fun. But, you if you go to a good local surf shop, I'm sure that the folks who work there can find you the right board for your size, skill level, local breaks and your budget.

Answer 3

No.  Making a board yourself will cost about half as much as buying a new one.  Contrary to popular belief you don't need fancy power tools.  If you've got a decent tool box you've probably already got most everything you need.  I just shaped a retro twin fish by hand.  It cost me about 225, which includes shipping on things like my epoxy and fin box kits.  The only power tools I used was a palm sander and a router to put in the fin boxes.

If you are interested in making your own I would recommend reading through http://www.swaylocks.com "general discussion forum".  It's a bulleting board for shapers, both pro and backyard.  You should also check out http://www.greenlightsurfboards.com and http://www.foamez.com/.  Both are suppliers of shaping kits.  Greenlight offers complete bio-friendly kits.

Answer 4

If you have all the tools, experience, and shaping bay already then it will be cheaper to make your own board.

Otherwise a planer, sander, mask, etc. are kinda expensive and rather than experimenting w/shaping I'd leave it to the pro's.  There's too many variables that will effect the board's performance such as rails, thickness, edges, rocker, etc.

If you're on a budget then go to craigslist as there are plenty o' boards for all budgets.  I've purchased beaters and gems and just have to poke around a little.

Now go get a board and get out in the water and start having fun.