Would it work? I'm afraid that the board will get ruined even with the polyurethane after a couple sessions, and I'm considering fiberglassing the board to make it "waterproof". How would I go about it and what kind of materials would I need? Expense?

I have never used fiberglass so don't have a clue about it, but some time with google turned up this.

fiberglass kit
Instructions

The instructions mention covering your form with wax paper so the fiberglass won't stick, so just leave that step out and my guess is it will stick to your plybord just fine. But remember I don't know what I'm talking about.

Personally, I wouldn't bother. It's plywood...just seal it up best you can and make another one when the time comes. You're going to spend more to buy the materials to do one board than you would on a sheet of plywood.

Also, for just waterproofing, you wouldn't need the fiberglass...just the resin. On that note, I don't have any personal experience, but from what I've read the epoxy resins are a lot easier to work with than the polyurathane.

All options beyond polyurathane are quite expensive and for a plyboard, imo, overkill.

How would I go about making my own foam core board? Would that save me money over a comparable store bought one?

Quote:

Originally posted by power How would I go about making my own foam core board? Would that save me money over a comparable store bought one?

I have this sneaking suspicion you are trying to cut too many corners and will end up investing more time and money than if you just went out and bought a full production model board.

Just destroy your plywood board, and build another. How much did your current one cost you to make?

There are some guys who build their own boards on some of the other forums. If you are really that interested in the process, I would recommend talking to them. The one catch is that it becomes more of a hobby to create the board. The guy I'm thinking of makes the boards for money, and as a way to pass the time. It is a lot of work...

part of you has to be in love with "process,"

if you don't have a good idea how to do it already then the amount of work will be overwhelming.

if your into fabrication with wood, metal, plastic and glass. got the tools and the know how, the specs and design would be the point of interest. the materials can be very $$$ as MGATC stated . material knowledge and mechanics are just background noise to design and fabrication. example a gallon of resin/expoxy could buy a decent old board for fun and kicks that could last a season or 2.

a foam core vac set up alone would shock you.

best advice, cut it out, strap it up( if you need that) and jump on it . if you have the materials already at hand then it should be fun and easy for you.

DIY , i love it, custom junk always a fav. BUT it has to be easy and quick for you or it is a waste of $ and time with less then desirable outcome.

I think your time would be better spent researching good old boards and hunting for a deal. Lots of old boards go for $100 now. I think you would be close to that making + fiberglassing your own ?

Maybe make some different size / shaped boards to help deciding. Like someone said it's just plywood. Keep it cheap!

in german, there is a thing called "siebdruckplatte"

looks like this:



it already has good sealing on the top and bottom. you just need to seal the borders using "spar varnish".
this might well be the cheapest door / skimboard one can built. but its on the heavier side of the boards.

http://myplykiteboards.com/index.html

polyurethane holds up well on plyboards----I have a door, mini door, and a 141 (all ply)that have held up well........................forum member BigSteve makes his own boards using vaccum, glass, and epoxy technology...................ping him for intel......................