Surfboard Shaping [High-Performance Shortboard]

Shaping a high performance shortboard from start to finish. Surfboard dimensions are 5'8" x 19 1/4" x 2 3/8". Volume is 28 liters. Bottom contours are single concave to double concave at the tail. EPS foam blank. This is a replica of the Channel Islands Sampler model.
More videos in this series:
Shaping Video: • Surfboard Shaping [Hig...
FCS 2 Fin Install Video: • Installing Surfboard F...
Glassing Video: • Surfboard Glassing [Hi...
Shaping and Glassing from Start to Finish: • Surfboard Shaping & Gl...
Website Merch: www.bendheimbo...
KZbin: / bendheimboards
Instagram: / bendheimboards
TikTok: / bendheim.boards
Facebook: / bendheimboards
All accounts: braid.network/...
🔥10% OFF surf gear, wetsuits, fins, leashes etc. from Ho Stevie! Use code: SHAPER10
hostevie.com
🔥10% OFF Surfboard Building Materials, tools, shaping lessons, shaping bay rentals, etc from Foam E-Z! Use code: FEZTANNER10 (online store only, some exclusions apply)
foamez.com
I love surfing, building with my hands and making videos. Bendheim Boards is my outlet to fuel these passions. I'm self-taught and am not an expert, but these videos show the process that works for me. Follow along for new videos every month!

[@lukeacrey7571]

I can’t stop watching your videos, it’s 12:30 AM and I have school tomorrow. Every ounce in my body wants to start makin boards. Love it so much!!!!

[@BendheimBoards]

Awesome man, love the feedback!

[@21Goncalo]

Great job. It's so relaxing to just watch you shape the board. Amazing

[@BendheimBoards]

Thanks man, glad to hear it!

[@baileyfritz3400]

Shaping the rail with the wire was genius, never seen it done like that before 👌🏽

[@BendheimBoards]

Kazuma surfboards gave me the idea 🤙

[@stewartg5909]

That moment when your rail template fits perfect - nice work!

[@BendheimBoards]

Yew!

[@moetemple8647]

If I had started shaping 20 years later, I coulda just come to KZbin to learn the steps, instead of groveling for info from the old timers 😁. It’s been 10 years since I shaped my last board and I miss the feel, the process, peace in the shaping room..... and my shaping tools. Thanks for posting the vid, great memories 🤙🏻

[@BendheimBoards]

Thanks for sharing and glad to bring back the memories!

[@MrJLee483]

I’ve only been surfing for a few months but your videos are really inspiring! You are more than a craftsman-you’re a freaking artist! Looking forward to future videos

[@BendheimBoards]

Thanks man, appreciate the kind words!

[@raceface_m2579]

I had no idea surfboards were made out of foam. I’ve always thought it was wood. Whoa. Awesome!

[@BendheimBoards]

Thanks! Most today are foam with fiberglass but some still make wooden boards. Wood is just more work, more expensive and heavier.

[@freeman61312]

I've never seen that trick of drawing out the rail template on graph paper before, even without narration it was so clear and simple. Definitely gonna use that in the future

[@BendheimBoards]

Thanks, glad to hear it!

[@JonathanNightOwl]

Your demonstration inspired me! Thank you!!

[@sambado]

It must be really pleasant surfing with your own surfboards.

[@BendheimBoards]

Totally!

[@sambado]

@@BendheimBoards Good Job. Looking forward to see The glassing part.

[@ismaelfranco4722]

Looking forward to the glassing video. Great job!!

[@BendheimBoards]

🤙

[@sailingalexianna7040]

Great video, the craftsmanship is awesome

[@BendheimBoards]

🙏

[@ShawnBehrend]

You did such a good job you inspire me to shape more. I once heard pyzel talk about how he made a rail template of on of John John’s boards he said he a couple pieces of tape to take into account the glassing since he made the template off an already glassed board. It seems like you did the same so after you glass the board your rails will be a little thicker than you wanted just thought I’d share that. maybe you can cut a piece of glass off one of your other boards and use calipers to see how thick it is and take that into consideration next time!

[@BendheimBoards]

Yes there will be a difference but it’s so minimal that it’s not enough for me compensate for. Let’s be honest, I’m not Pyzel and I don’t shape for John John haha. But thanks for the thoughts and attention to detail!

[@ryanlowe988]

@@BendheimBoards just need to get a board into the hands of the right Grom 😉🤙🏼

[@raiostepanovs2243]

Ur boreds are masterpieces its so relaxing to watch keep it up!

[@BendheimBoards]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@pierom.4085]

Excelente amigo! Muy profesional!! Gran trabajo, gracias!!

[@JustinBerke]

That looks so dope

[@atim8368]

pretty accurate job mate! looks dope.

[@BendheimBoards]

Thanks man!

[@manifest8082]

Very clever!

[@kirangorai8684]

So honest work

[@albertogutierrez457]

Really nice watch your videos bro, Im starting my shapping hobby. I learn something with this video how to copy the rails profile. Thanks and keep going.

[@BendheimBoards]

Thanks and glad to hear it!

[@tony7godoy460]

Wow..!! its great work!

[@BendheimBoards]

🙏

[@user-eg7nj1is7l]

Pretty awesome dude! I have the 5’9 sampler I got in oz and the thing is a great all arounder for me. 🤙🏽

[@BendheimBoards]

Thanks man! It’s a super fun board

[@hopeland-ranch4683]

Great job Tanner !!! Blessings from Germany. Tobias

[@BendheimBoards]

Thank you sir 🇩🇪

[@benboner]

I love that shaping bay

[@BendheimBoards]

Thanks man 👍

[@rhysyoung1354]

best video yet

[@BendheimBoards]

Thanks man! 🤙

[@WeekendPirate]

Beautiful job!

[@rodocs7]

Your videos are so good and great learning tools thank you so much!!!

[@BendheimBoards]

🙏

[@frannois]

Another great vid. Really liked the rail calculations! Will definitely try it.

[@BendheimBoards]

Right on!

[@gregorytixier7]

Man thank you so much for your videos, I learn a lot from these !!! Keep going, do never stop these are really usefull.

[@BendheimBoards]

You got it man!

[@craftsbladi]

Ooohh very nice great work you are creative man

[@user-kc4fg3eb2w]

You always inspire me! great job bro!

[@BendheimBoards]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@antisbr]

Dude awesome job! Crushing it.

[@BendheimBoards]

Gracias Matt!! Get a __ job

[@landonwilson1402]

I feel like a nice touch would be if you showed clips of you surfing on the board at the end. I know with these models you haven’t glassed them yet but just a thought

[@BendheimBoards]

Agreed, I’ll get around to some surf clips eventually

[@ryanstrapps9195]

i wish i could shape boards like you

[@vibesantista2202]

Classe A mermão..como eu queria um shape desses.belo trampo... ✌✌🇧🇷🏄‍♂️ tmj vibes positivas

[@BendheimBoards]

Brigado cara!

[@f-9137]

貴方は天才ですか？ 凄いです。器用ですね🇯🇵

[@BendheimBoards]

ありがとうございました！

[@antoine2933]

You made it look way easier than it is actually Cool video bro

[@BendheimBoards]

Thanks man!

[@matata127]

Yes I want to be like him. Maybe in thhe future I would like to be your apprentice

[@coti0257]

Amazing job!!!

[@michaelagolia4882]

Sweet bro

[@angeloalves9039]

awesome job, cant wait to see it complete 🤙🤙

[@cleomarioalves9890]

Não sei porque eu gosto tanto desses vídeos! De salvador, Bahia Brasil

[@BendheimBoards]

Brigado cara! Morei no Rio Grande Do Sul.

[@DGROM]

Sick! I enjoy watching your channel, keep it up!!

[@BendheimBoards]

🤙

[@jim5549]

Another very nice job!

[@BendheimBoards]

Thanks!

[@DanielGonzalez-rw3yt]

Perfect job!!! 👍👍👍👍

[@flaviocabrera3942]

Good work, very nice

[@mohammedamghar3399]

Good job 👌

[@gunamx1300]

So sick!!!

[@ypure3859]

excellent vid! but would love to see your written notes for a while longer..just to understand how to notate and the important details to consider

[@BendheimBoards]

Thanks man, Greenlight has more details on those rail band measurements if you check their website

[@EstevamDosReis]

É disso que estou falando! Prancha boa!

[@BendheimBoards]

Muito brigado cara! 🇧🇷

[@tomallen7699]

Crazy cool skill set#

[@kbomb1663]

Looks great man 🤙🏼

[@LucianoLopez-qu8fx]

Impresionante idolooo

[@matp916]

Make a Black and Gold painting pleaaase !! 😍👌🏻

[@chamchigimbap4096]

I think no background music videos are better. Like your old videos 👍

[@BendheimBoards]

Thanks for the feedback

[@bajacampingoffroad7783]

Good

[@mrfelipehurtado]

Fuck yes great job! I'd love to see a copy of a neckbeard!

[@BendheimBoards]

Thanks man! Need one in my quiver first

[@laurent359]

La classe

[@cliky1991]

chiquito crack el nota

[@RakaiBaganatha]

Excelent...👍👍👍

[@crustymarine86]

Makes me want to start shaping again, too bad im landlocked now

[@BendheimBoards]

surf trips!

[@crustymarine86]

Some day... hopefully

[@geraldiscool24]

Nice mate! Why don't the top rail band lines extend the full length of the deck? You drew them only in the mid section of the board.

[@BendheimBoards]

The thickness of the board tappers at the tail and the nose so the same measurements can't be used. So I use the measurements to guide my initial cuts and then I tapper them off as the thickness changes.

[@michaellawlor2461]

Dude that was amazing to watch. Any chance in a more detailed video of how you copy the rail lines diagram and scribing? Or a link to a video that does.

[@BendheimBoards]

Lots more info on Greenlight’s website. And here’s another video to checkout where I got the idea: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYayZ2maj95piMU

[@michaellawlor2461]

@@BendheimBoards was there much difference shaping EPS instead of PU? I vaguely remember you saying you haven't shaped EPS in another video.

[@BendheimBoards]

@@michaellawlor2461 Yes EPS doesn't sand down as fine as PU and I was a little nervous pulling out chunks near the thin nose. But it came out good. I prefer PU still.

[@Rovettod]

Enjoying the videos Tanner. Congrats on your sponsor. I'm about to purchase the same planer and curious if you did any modifications to it? I shaped 3 EPS boards using the hotwire foam cutter method since I made my own blanks so haven't had any experience with an electric planer yet. Any recommendations or things you learned while getting use to shaping with it would be appreciated. Thanks man.

[@BendheimBoards]

Thank you man. The only thing I changed was the dust bag attachment. I took off the dust bag and broke the long stick that comes out of the attachment. That allowed me to connect the flexible hose to it. I got the flexible hose from shaper supply. Those links are in my shaping bay video description. The planer doesn't cut as deep as others so with my first pass I usually go to the deepest setting. You have to turn the knob pretty far to adjust your depth which is what is usually adjusted after market. So its not very easy to change the depth as you are cutting, you basically pick you depth and just go with it. Going slow helps so you don't rip the foam. My videos are sped up so don't be deceived, I'm actually doing pretty slow passes. Cut at an angle to follow curves and keep the front of you planer on the uncut foam as that is what guides what you are cutting into. Hope that helps a little.

[@Rovettod]

@@BendheimBoards I appreciate the info. I just finished shaping my 2nd board with that planer and all of this was very helpful. I actually had some random ripping of the foam and couldn't figure out why that was happening. Seems like it I could have been going too fast so thanks for that. Funny enough the thing that gave me the biggest headache was taking down the stringer. I have a 1'' trim plane but for some reason it kept tearing into the surrounding foam and cleaning that up was a pain in the butt. Need to investigate that issue a bit more. Anyway, thanks for the videos. I made a few but hoping to contribute more to the DIY surfboard community when I get a better space. It's great you are giving back!!

[@BendheimBoards]

@@Rovettod Yes sounds like you just need to slow down using the planer. Glad to hear it man, keep at it!

[@James-nj4pc]

Hey Tanner, awesome work. Few quick questions: - when measuring the rail bands, how did you translate the drawing -> exact measurements to draw the lines? was it distance from the apex -> deck marks? - why dont you do your rail bands the full length of the board?

[@BendheimBoards]

Those are actual measurements, so I can take my ruler to the paper and follow each mark with the exact length. The rails need to transition into the nose and tail so you can't keep the same measurements since the board gets thinner. For this board the nose is more rounded and the tail has a hard edge on the bottom.

[@WaveWasters]

Came out really clean. How did you find shaping the EPS blank?

[@BendheimBoards]

Thanks it was better than I expected. It’s so dang lightweight! A little tougher to saw cut compared to a skinned PU blank and I had to go light on screening the rails so I didn’t tear out the beads near the nose. Still prefer PU but glad I tried it out. Just love the PU super fine finish.

[@foamhacker6396]

Jumping in as was gonna ask the same question. Hard to tell from the video but how's the finish? Any divets/pull out? Will you spackle before glassing? Sweet video as usual

[@WaveWasters]

​@@BendheimBoards Im a fan of eps where I can get it locally, I found getting it really clean you just have to use a light touch. Id like to try another PU board, first board I did was PU but I didn't really know what I was doing. Now I think it would fun to shape crazy contours into it. Stoked to see it glassed.

[@WaveWasters]

@@foamhacker6396 I've done a lot of EPS boards and if you finish with a light touch and 100-120 grit paper you can get it pretty smooth. The quality of the EPS makes a difference too. I've also never spackled my blanks before glassing. I tried a mixture of glass bubbles/epoxy to seal the blank once but found it was more work and didn't make a noticeable difference when glassing.

[@BendheimBoards]

@@foamhacker6396 It came out pretty smooth. Any spots of pulled out foam are small enough that they will be covered up once glassed and not noticeable. Not planning to do any spackle, just seems like more work and I'd rather do a pigmented color and avoid it.

[@joemanly8386]

I surfed for 25yrs and for a long time I would order boards exactly how I wanted it shaped because I knew what I wanted. I move to Michigan in 07 from SoCal (O’side / Carlsbad were my breaks) due to tough times. I’ve only surfed a few times since and at 48 I’m just getting back in about to start surfing the Great Lakes. I just ordered a Tomo Evo Helium in January. I think after watching your videos I am inspired to get into shaping my own. Do you have a list of tools (mainly the measuring and outlining tools)? I’ve got a butt load of power tools and can setup a shaping shack. I’ve got 2.5 acres.

[@BendheimBoards]

That sounds like a dream setup! Checkout Greenlight’s website (in video description). They have detailed instructions on building boards and tools needed. Glad your getting back into it. Best of luck!

[@joemanly8386]

@@BendheimBoards thanks brotha

[@alexhattersley4938]

Hey mate, loving these videos! I’m finding some of it very helpful! just wondering what your bending over the merrick to get the profile of the rail

[@BendheimBoards]

Just some metal wire from home depot

[@matthewc1386]

What's the science behind joining the first deckmark and the rail mark when drawing on the paper? E.g. first deck-to-rail mark line you obviously draw a line tangent to the curve of the rail. But your tangent line could have been steeper (with rail mark closer to apex) or flatter (with rail mark further from apex). Are you trying to get a line that covers the maximum amount of curve? Or how was that gradient selected?

[@BendheimBoards]

Usually with your first cut you go with a 45 degree angle. But yes there could be many different ways to draw the line. It mostly affects the amount of foam you’ll need to round off with your rail screen. For me, I set the first deck mark at 2” and the 2nd at 4” to make it easy for myself. But like you said, you could choose different angles to get the same result.

[@ypure3859]

verbal explanation of your profiles and the expected results in the water...please

[@Sr.406]

Just found your channel a few weeks ago, wow super interesting. I'm thinking about making my son's some boogie boards, so they can hit Galveston and Corpus. What's the wood looking line down the center of board?

[@BendheimBoards]

Right on man. It’s called a stringer.

[@archiehodgson6693]

How long does it usually take to shape and glass the board from start to finish? Great Video

[@BendheimBoards]

Takes me a long time because I only get a few nights a week to work on it as a side hobby. I try not to track the time to make it more enjoyable

[@Jeff_Engineer]

Any thoughts about how to hold that board down on your bench? Clamps? Vacuum? Just seems like you're always working one handed because the other is having to hold the board in place.

[@BendheimBoards]

The memory foam keeps it in place pretty well. I just rest my hand on the board while working to steady it. But you wouldn't want to clamp it, the foam is too fragile and its really not an issue I've ever thought about.

[@yeremychauvin7253]

I'm curious on just how much a board like that runs $$$$ ? Nice work by the way ......

[@BendheimBoards]

Kept this one for myself. In a shop it can range starting around $600 and up

[@yeremychauvin7253]

@@BendheimBoards Thanks for your reply 🙏

[@Tmimo5]

How do your trace the surfboard without another surfboard?🏄

[@sanderneuhaus1199]

I want to shape a board myself but I have the problem that we don't have any surfshops or similar here in Germany. So my question is, where do you get your blanks from and can I also buy a block of EPS in a local hardware shop and put the stringer in myself?

[@BendheimBoards]

I use Greenlight surf supply. Yes you can totally glue up foam with a wood stringer. Do some research online to figure out what type of foam you have available. Best of luck!

[@judewashkowitz6725]

Can you make some more videos working with epoxy?

[@BendheimBoards]

Coming right up! I’ll be glassing my next two boards in epoxy

[@ciwanicha]

tanner..do you ever use blank filler when using EPS? or is it really necessary with the tighter EPS beads in blanks today?

[@BendheimBoards]

This is my first eps blank. Not planning to seal it, just going to use pigmented resin. I’ve heard sealing works but it isn’t always necessary.

[@davidschindewolf]

Hey, I was curious - what grit sand paper are you using on your blocks? I have two EPS boards from Greenlight, and from what I’ve heard the foam can be flaky/break off in large chunks. I’ve been hesitant to go for it, I’ve been patiently waiting for this video to drop - thanks for the awesome content!

[@BendheimBoards]

Thanks man! The rough shaping is 80 grit and final shaping was 180. I don’t have enough experience with eps to give good advice but I just made sure to be careful around the nose where the foam thins out.

[@davidschindewolf]

@@BendheimBoards thanks!

[@MrRobinski]

Looks nice but did you just eyeball the rocker?

[@BendheimBoards]

I measured the tail and nose rocker and then eyeballed foiling them out from there.

[@jhfreed149]

Seems like a pretty dangerous job

[@cory2133]

Out of short boards or long boards, which one is harder for you to shape?

[@BendheimBoards]

I'd say longboards are easier because I like soft 50/50 rails which are harder to screw up. But lots more work with a big board.

[@botaccount3449]

Whats the pencil with metal rod and wooden piece called? Is that a diy mashup of a tool and innovation or something? Thanks!

[@sheamartin8276]

How do you get the hand plane to not scratch the foam when you’re trimming the stringer?

[@BendheimBoards]

The depth is very shallow. Sometimes it does and you just sand it down to level it

[@ElCasteels]

Was that Luke on the manscaped commercial?

[@benboner]

You need to start doing some surfing pov

[@BendheimBoards]

I know, gotta get around to one. I’ve got a pretty awesome surf trip planned in a few months that I’m planning to film. Made this board just for it.

[@benboner]

Awesome

[@Bido11561]

What kind of wire you use to copy the rail?

[@BendheimBoards]

Basic metal wire from home depot

[@ninjahflighttaktiks1467]

Isnt it too thick if its the rail is the same thickness when unglassed as the glassed board??

[@olabashanda]

Newbie here. How much does the foam blank weigh? Precisely or wild guess How much does the finished board weigh? Thanks in advance

[@elikalan6586]

Where did you get that tool to mark the rails?

[@BendheimBoards]

Foam EZ rail marker

[@louwinacamille9760]

Can you shape a body board

[@BendheimBoards]

I'm planning to sometime in the future. Here is a paipo I made a while back in the meantime: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5yXhaCrpdmYgq8

[@elihunter8246]

How do you make your cutouts for just outlining your board?

[@BendheimBoards]

I'm guessing your referring to templates for the outline? Greenlight has templates on their website and I've also used blendingcurves

[@elihunter8246]

@@BendheimBoardsok thank you

[@45surfboards]

how do you get your exact mesurements on your rail bands?

[@BendheimBoards]

Just figured it out over time. Use Greenlight’s rail band chart if you need help

[@45surfboards]

@@BendheimBoards do you have no measurements on the graph you draw up?

[@BendheimBoards]

@@45surfboards no, I just made one in this video to show how they can be measured

[@aidanrichards186]

is there much of a difference handshaping eps? anything i should loom out for?

[@BendheimBoards]

This is only my first EPS so take my feedback with a grain of salt. The EPS is super lightweight which feels awesome under my arm. A little tougher to saw cut compared to a skinned PU blank and I had to go light on screening the rails so I didn’t tear out the beads near the nose. Still prefer PU but glad I tried it out. Just love the PU super fine finish.

[@Frank-pj3ic]

Hello. I'm a dude. If I laminate deck with 4 and 6 onzs. Which going up and down?? Thanks

[@jupitorious7925]

With the music the board should be a single fin..!

[@BendheimBoards]

🤙

[@teemuahonen6453]

Is this a basic styrofoam or what is that material?

[@BendheimBoards]

This board is EPS foam

[@teemuahonen6453]

@@BendheimBoards oks thanks buddy, looking great.

[@calvinkwaak6866]

do you use eps?

[@BendheimBoards]

Yes this board is EPS

[@markrichards6863]

It's made of a foam board, then cut and shaped. There is a lot of waste. Wouldn't it be more economical yo inject foam into a mold.

[@BendheimBoards]

Maybe but I don’t have a mold and injection setup.

[@bellajanvier585]

make skimboard bro