Few more things...

I've pretty crap at updating this blog. But here are a few recent offerings from my workshop.

An obeche & mahogany paipo blank ready for shaping and a Tomo inspired 5'8" x 18 1/2", stringerless xps in the process of being shaped. Going to have a bonzerish/twinzer fin set up....if that makes any sense!

Feel free to follow me on twitter and/or instagram for more regular updates @Made_by_Matt

All's quiet on the North Eastern front...

Its been a couple of months since I posted, mainly due to the fact I've spent the last 5 weeks in the Arctic Ocean aboard the USCGC Healy icebreaker. Just before I left I finished off a 9'6" x 23" x 3 1/3" eps simmons. British racing green resin tint with double foiled mahogany keels and glass leash loop. Full rolled hull to single concave through the fins, 50/50 rails. Back home soon and eager to get shaping!

Roundtail twinzer in progress...

Just can't stop...

After I finished the last 3 boards I decided I should take a break. So I cleaned up the garage and before I knew it the planer was out again and I was shaping the plug for the flexspoon I've been planning on making.....obviously i'm addicted.

Also I decided I want the option of running my simmons/velo board as a twin again, so got to work on making some keels....and got a little carried away

Turbercle single foil ply keels, will be fcs fit when complete. Curious to see if they make much difference.

The Bumblebee

Just finished this 8ft xps simmons for a mate. Turned out much better than I was expecting, xps is not easy to work with! Before final finishing my mate brought his 7 year old daughter round to handprint on the board and name it. She called it the Bumblebee for obvious reasons. Had its first outing yesterday in less than perfect waves and he is already raving about it. Its a good feeling to build a board for someone that they really enjoy.

First and last, for now...

5'9" x 19 3/4" x 2 3/4" diamond tail, flat bottom, 5 fin set up, NZ fabric inlay

6'4" x 22" x 2 1/2" hull, rolled to V, turquoise tint, 2+1 set up

8' x 22" x 3" Simmons, xps/epoxy, yellow tint with black resin work, old skool leash loop......nearly finished!

Ply keels, glassed and ready to go onto the Simmons.

More Shabby, Less Chic...

5'10" x 21" x 2 5/8" 70's inspired pintail single fin. Turquoise tint with grey/white sanded spray.

A.D.H.D

I finished this board late last year and have been surfing it almost exclusively since. It was originally set up as a twin, with Tomo style hockey still keels. With the keels it was crazy fast, loads of drive, really fun. Decided to change it to a single to see the difference........definately slower, but much smoother and generally nicer to surf. Might get bored of this in another 3 months and change the fin setup again!

Stand up and be counted...

Garage is rather full at the moment as i've got 4 boards on the go! From left to right; 5'1" xps flexspoon plug, 5'9" diamond tail, 6'4" hully egg, 8 'xps simmons. Outlines cut and ready for shaping. Spoon is for me and the other 3 are for people kind (brave!) enough to ask me to shape them a board....busy busy!

Fashion Victim...

Driftwood handplane #3 with 'shabby chic' paint job.

Theres lots going on in this little plane.  Rolled to deep single concave on the hull, spooned nose, bulbed handgrip and a concaved deck. Made for a friends birthday present....may it bring you many happy waves.

Twin fins for Timmy...

I am auctioning these fins off in aid of The Timmy Mason Trust. All proceeds from the sale of these fins will go to the trust.

Originally they were a set of RFC MR style lokbox twins, however I have reshaped and foiled them to increase their flex.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lokbox-Twin-Fins-Timmy-Mason-Trust-charity-auction-/120869851618?pt=UK_Surfing&hash=item1c246791e2

Tim Mason (Timmy's dad) is the man behind the Mason Surfboards and will be auctioning a board off every month to raise money for the Trust.

 Please check here for other auctions in aid of the trust and here if you wish to make a donation.

Weapon of choice...

Old Metebo planer, bargain off ebay.........it a beast!

Needs a little work, but runs fine......not quite a skil, but still a quality but of kit.

Turquoise Tint...

finlessness

Took my finless board out today in some pleasant little 2ft waves. I've neglected this board for some time now, so was good to get it back in the water....forgot how hard it is to surf without fins! loads of fun though!

New planer, New shape

New planer arrived the other day and was quickly put to use. Decided on a slightly different template to the one posted before.....definate 70's influence

Goodbye my inanimate friend...

Since I started shaping there has been one tool that has been with me from the start.

Cheap, unmaintained and permanently borrowed from my old man, this planer has served me well....its no skil or hitachi but it has served its time, getting me from utter disaster to something that is passable as a surfboard!

Shame it had to blow up on the second pass, when I was really in the mood to get shaping.....now wheres the screwfix catalogue?

Pointy!

I'm not really one for riding pointy boards but theres a first for everything.

Stringer all glued in

Rolled to V bottom, single fin with really bladey rails. Reserved for days when the North Sea flexes its muscle.

Korduroy Kickstarter...

These guys are possibly responsible for what can probably be termed the 'Handplane revolution', they make loads of great informative and inspirational videos on all aspects of surfing...well worth a donation if you have some to spare.