How We Make Wooden Surfboards, Part 1: Making The Frame

After over 10 years of making hollow wooden surfboards, here in Cornwall UK, we thought we'd share our process...
You can order a custom wooden surfboard or join us to make your own here: www.ottersurfboards.co.uk/
For the other videos in this series click here: kzbin.info/aero/PLIZuPCFqpL_bvs-dhza94IHItKxhMDyId
In part 1, James talks us through the design of a wooden surfboard and the methods we use to create the internal frame that the board is built around. We then watch as he uses a laser cutter to make the frame pieces, before returning to the workshop where he puts it all together...
If you enjoyed the video, please like and subscribe, and keep your eyes peeled for part 2 of how we make wooden surfboards!
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#ottersurfboards #woodensurfboards #makeyourown #madeforlife #ecosurf #sustainablesurf #hollowwoodensurfboard #handcrafted #woodwork #surfboardshaping #surfboard #workshop #cornwall

[@zdedesigns_gliders]

Nice of you to share the knowledge so freely. Well crafted video, too.

[@ottersurfboards]

Thanks man, we're enjoying putting this series together! 🙌

[@ciaranhoey711]

Well done James, building my own one at the minute and your videos are a great help and a real inspiration.

[@ottersurfboards]

Thanks Ciaran! Stoked that we're helping inspire your making journey!!! Enjoy the build and let us know how you get on! x

[@davidthursfield8833]

Love this 👏🏼👏🏼

[@ottersurfboards]

thanks my man!!!

[@fifi23o5]

Hi! I've notriced you didn't clean the charring on the edges. Have you tested the strenght of the joints? If charred layer it's not too thick and the glue has low enough viscosity to penetrate through to wood itself, it shouldn't be a problem. I'd just like to hear about your experience on the matter. I love everything about wood. I'm an amateur woodworker and also my favourite aeroplane is made of wood, using quite similar methods.

[@ottersurfboards]

Hey :) we've tested both. I used to always sand them because I was convinced that the charring would cause issues for the glue absorption, but for the most of the glue lines we're using an epoxy glue that has such high mechanical hold strength that it bonds really securely to the lasered edges, so we haven't noticed any difference. Stoked! Which aeroplane do you love?

[@fifi23o5]

@@ottersurfboards Thanks! Great peace of information! And it makes perfect sense. It could only be problem if epoxy was too thick not to penetrate the charred layer. The plane in question is Aviamilano (or Sequoia) F.8L Falco. Completely made of spruce timber and birch plywood. Flown first in 1955(!) and still looking amazing. And it also performs exactly the way it looks. I know a guy that is building it and I go and help him from time to time, but, hopefully, one day I will start to build my own. May the force of wood be with you!

[@jayblatnik9124]

Great boards! Really beautiful! I see the Glue is Soudal Advanced Adhesive - anyone know where I can buy it?

[@ottersurfboards]

Thanks man! It depends where you are, but in the UK there are a couple of online stockists :)

[@johnwatson8192]

Outstanding video James thank you! There is one topic that I would like you to share with me: how did you get Buddy past the plant pot @ 2.34 without watering it? 🤔

[@ottersurfboards]

Thanks for the kind words! We let him have a sniff in between takes!

[@ryanhennessy4780]

Hey, im looking to build ny own surfboard in the future, is that a software that I can use to? If so, whats the name of it? Thanks!