Foam molds

**Psychotic Surfer** · 04-13-2008 09:23 AM

Hello,

So I have been building boards for some time now. Usually I use a sort of hybrid method, in which I use a vac bag to clamp all the veneers together, and then I use a wood press to crush it, and provide kick/concave. This works really well, however I would like to invest in making some foam molds as they seem to be more convenient, easier to store and make. My only problem is the local Home Depot has discontinued the 2" thick styrofoam insulation with high R values. The only stuff they have is the white foam, which is really squishy and unsuitable for making molds (only an R value of about 4), as they would conform too much under the vaccum pressure. So, I was wondering if anyone on here knew of any sites that sell the proper foam, or perhaps one of our many resident board builders on here would be willing to help me out and sell me some ( I will pay all expenses and shipping).

Let me know.

Thanks,
Jeff

**Loki440** · 04-13-2008 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by Psychotic Surfer

Hello,

So I have been building boards for some time now. Usually I use a sort of hybrid method, in which I use a vac bag to clamp all the veneers together, and then I use a wood press to crush it, and provide kick/concave. This works really well, however I would like to invest in making some foam molds as they seem to be more convenient, easier to store and make. My only problem is the local Home Depot has discontinued the 2" thick styrofoam insulation with high R values. The only stuff they have is the white foam, which is really squishy and unsuitable for making molds (only an R value of about 4), as they would conform too much under the vaccum pressure. So, I was wondering if anyone on here knew of any sites that sell the proper foam, or perhaps one of our many resident board builders on here would be willing to help me out and sell me some ( I will pay all expenses and shipping).

Let me know.

Thanks,
Jeff

The white foam works, it just not ideal, but the other option and what i do for molds i want to have for awhile is to fiberglass them.

Also you were talking about 2" stuff only (do they have thinner stuff) why not glue a couple 1" pieces together (its what i do)

also check your other local building supply places

**Psychotic Surfer** · 04-13-2008 12:16 PM

No where else around here carries it, not even in thinner sheets. I guess I'll try that white stuff, I just don't want to pop out crappy boards if ya know what I mean. It seems like it wouldn't really hold out under vac pressure.

thanks for the reply.
-Jeff

**BlackRider** · 04-13-2008 12:21 PM

Unfortunately I can't help as of yet, but I am interesting in doing some building this summer and just had a few questions. Did you buy your vac bag kit pre-designed for skate building, and how big is it and if so from where. If you made it, what kind of materials have you used and what's the longest board to have been created with it so far.

Thanks man, I'll paroose the internets for any sites selling high R foams and get back to ya.

**Ted** · 04-13-2008 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by BlackRider

Unfortunately I can't help as of yet, but I am interesting in doing some building this summer and just had a few questions. Did you buy your vac bag kit pre-designed for skate building, and how big is it and if so from where. If you made it, what kind of materials have you used and what's the longest board to have been created with it so far.

Thanks man, I'll paroose the internets for any sites selling high R foams and get back to ya.

Only one place you can buy pre-designed vac kits specifically made for skateboards.
Roarockit | How to build custom skateboard decks, with woodworking plans and woodworking tools

We just did a 6 1/2' deck using a custom TAP kit.

Here is a link to a 70" TAP bag.
ROAROCKIT | Products

If that's not large enough we do custom bag sizes for deckbuilders.
Roarockit | Custom Bags

Ted from Roarockit

**burtonpunch84** · 04-13-2008 04:10 PM

yesss thank you i bought a bag but then realized that it wasnt wide enough for my mold an i was very scared that there was no other bags that were wide enough but now im definatly buyin that 14" wide bag. thanks for pointing those custom bags out.

**BlackRider** · 04-14-2008 12:26 AM

Sweeet. Now to locate some foam mold material...

Also curious, can you do a shorter deck even if you have a huge bag (tee-hee) or does the deck have to meet the designated board length exactly?

**arcane** · 04-14-2008 12:30 AM

Originally Posted by BlackRider

Also curious, can you do a shorter deck even if you have a huge bag

Yes you can.

**Psychotic Surfer** · 04-14-2008 11:51 PM

I found this site:

FlyingFoam.com: Custom CNC Cores, Combat Glider Kits

that sells pink insulation foam (foamular 250), which has a compression rate of 25psi. Hopefully they can hook me up, as they do small custom orders.

**freemanbrett1** · 04-17-2008 01:01 PM

I was wondering if those bags from roarockit are reusable, and if so how. I assume they are but ive been wrong before! Looking to build a ton of longboards for my sailing team to cruise around on so wish me luck!

Brett

**steelshield09** · 04-23-2008 04:24 PM

Ya, freeman, they're supposed to be reusable, unless you bust a seam or something...not that I speak from experience, but since the 'fish is so much more interesting than studying for finals, I've seen other people say that.

Time summer rolls around (finally) I'll be getting a Roarockit kit, and then we'll see how many boards one of those'll take.