A dear friend of mine has a 1971 VW Westfalia Camper Bus he restored and wanted to mount a surfboard on the roof. Ultimately he wanted to cut the board and use it as a panel mount, so we looked for a cheap surfboard with little success. The cheapest one we found was well over 100 bucks, and a) to never use it as a surfboard and b) cut it up at a later date; cost was not justified.
So, I made him one!
The goal was simple; find cheap materials and make a cost effective surfboard. It more than likely will never be used as an actual surfboard, but it very well can be. Well, more like a flotation device I suppose. After all, wood does float right?!
Materials:
You will need the following:
-Five 2x4 planks (I would recommend more, but that is what I used)
-Wooden wedges
-Circular Saw
-Jig Saw
-Butcher Paper
-Duct Tape
-60, 120, 200, 400, 1000, and 1200 grit sand paper
-Wood Stain (I used gel stain)
-Outdoor Clear Wood/Deck Sealer
-Wood glue
-Wood filler
-Clamps
-Planer (Electric strongly recommended)
-Work Gloves
-Face Mask
-Eye Protection
-Broom
-Work Bench or saw horse
I already had most of the items listed. I used the cheapest 2x4 I could find and I bought the small quart sized cans for the stains. The wood glue was the large gallon, and the wood filler was the larger of the three cans available at Home Depot. Total expense was between $40.00 -$50.00.
I used a lot of advice from this guy, Abe Toke
He has a neat video series I suggest watching before you start! The main difference is he (and most sources I found on the internet) use foam boards.
As a side note, I am going to include a couple of steps I learned from my mistakes throughout this instructable.
So, I made him one!
The goal was simple; find cheap materials and make a cost effective surfboard. It more than likely will never be used as an actual surfboard, but it very well can be. Well, more like a flotation device I suppose. After all, wood does float right?!
Materials:
You will need the following:
-Five 2x4 planks (I would recommend more, but that is what I used)
-Wooden wedges
-Circular Saw
-Jig Saw
-Butcher Paper
-Duct Tape
-60, 120, 200, 400, 1000, and 1200 grit sand paper
-Wood Stain (I used gel stain)
-Outdoor Clear Wood/Deck Sealer
-Wood glue
-Wood filler
-Clamps
-Planer (Electric strongly recommended)
-Work Gloves
-Face Mask
-Eye Protection
-Broom
-Work Bench or saw horse
I already had most of the items listed. I used the cheapest 2x4 I could find and I bought the small quart sized cans for the stains. The wood glue was the large gallon, and the wood filler was the larger of the three cans available at Home Depot. Total expense was between $40.00 -$50.00.
I used a lot of advice from this guy, Abe Toke
He has a neat video series I suggest watching before you start! The main difference is he (and most sources I found on the internet) use foam boards.
As a side note, I am going to include a couple of steps I learned from my mistakes throughout this instructable.
Remove these ads by
Signing UpStep 1: Got Wood?
Apply glue to the 2 inch side liberally. Glue the 2x4's together and clamp tightly. Use the wooden wedges to give the board a slightly concave shape.
The way I did it, the center board had no wedge. The boards to the right and left of the center board each used one wedge. The outer right and left boards each used two wedges. I did this to both the top and bottom of the board. Sorry, I did not take pictures of the bottom side showing the wedges.
The reason behind that is a typical surfboard has a vertical and horizontal curve. Most DIY wooden boards are, well, flat boards. I wanted to make a surfboard, not a wooden plank! Haha. Although I understand flat boards are ideal for mushy/small surf.
Once the glue is set, use wood filler to fill any gaps!! This was my first mistake. I did this later, and it would have been easier and more aesthetically appealing to do it now than later on.
Use a planer to even and curve the board once the glue filler dries. The goal in this step is to simply make the surface continuous. The wedges will make the boards have (for lack of better words) steps. Smooth them out.
The way I did it, the center board had no wedge. The boards to the right and left of the center board each used one wedge. The outer right and left boards each used two wedges. I did this to both the top and bottom of the board. Sorry, I did not take pictures of the bottom side showing the wedges.
The reason behind that is a typical surfboard has a vertical and horizontal curve. Most DIY wooden boards are, well, flat boards. I wanted to make a surfboard, not a wooden plank! Haha. Although I understand flat boards are ideal for mushy/small surf.
Once the glue is set, use wood filler to fill any gaps!! This was my first mistake. I did this later, and it would have been easier and more aesthetically appealing to do it now than later on.
Use a planer to even and curve the board once the glue filler dries. The goal in this step is to simply make the surface continuous. The wedges will make the boards have (for lack of better words) steps. Smooth them out.
![How-to faux paint antique distressed furniture [video]](http://www.instructables.com/files/deriv/FSS/48GE/GY19800C/FSS48GEGY19800C.SQUARE.jpg)
Visit Our Store »
Go Pro Today »
Once I add the fin I will update
(That's also the last note on the last page) ;)
Does this actually surf? i want to use the one I'm making as an actual surfboard.
Where do i put the fin at the back? Is there any video instructing me on the best place to put it?
Would I be better off to use dowels as well as wood glue or is there any need?
If you could get back to me as soon as possible that would be great! By the way this is an incredibly good project!
BUT if you are making a surfboard, I would recommend forking out some money and buying balsa wood. It is really light weight, durable, and seems to be the wood of choice for surfboards!
The fin, I have not placed it yet. And again, we are using it for decorative purposes. I did find a couple of links that go into great detail on fin placement!
http://www.tactics.com/info/guide-to-surfboard-fins
http://www.surfscience.com/topics/surfboard-fins/placement/surfboard-fin-placement
Here is a video that will show you how to place a fin
http://www.ehow.com/video_4411389_mark-fin-placement-surfboard.html
Dowels, I did not use. Most boards I saw did not use them, but I suppose it wouldn't hurt. Thing to keep in mind is balance. You wouldn't want 8 dowels on the left side and only 2 on the right.
Oh and your body weight will determine the size of the board you want to make!
Here is a site that has a nice chart:
http://www.islesurfboards.com/surfboard-size-and-weight-chart.aspx
Be sure to post an instructable!! I would love to see how you made it and how it did!! Good luck!!
Furniture [fur-ni-cher] n. :
1. The movable, generally functional, articles that equip a room, house, etc.
2. Fittings, apparatus, or necessary accessories for something.
3. Equipment for streets and other public areas, as lighting standards, signs, benches, or litter bins.
Considering it is an accessory to the bus and will provide a panel mount (and lighting) at a later date, in this case I think it is ok to say it is furniture ;)
Thank you for your input!!
I have seen boards hanging up, they look very nice!
For comparison, I ride a 9ft hollow wood longboard - it's the most buoyant board I or my mates have, but there's no way I could stand on it if it was stationary!
Nice project though - should look good on the van. Have a look here for inspiration for the next one!
http://www.grainsurf.com/forum/index.php
We still need to add the fin! And panel!!!!
How much did the finished board weigh?