Foam Core Speedboard

[Everett McCord]

I kind of want to build a foamcore speedboard over the summer, but I have a few questions.

First off, what type of foam? I have heard that Airex is the foam I should use, but I can't find were to buy it. Also is it expensive?

Second, how do I get concave? and how do I adhear the foam? epoxy will just melt the foam, right?

Lastly, how do I cut it? Should it be strong enough to be cut with a jig saw or do I need to cut my plys and use a wire cutter to cut the foam?

The board will be a top mount

Thanks for any help!!!

[Brady]

I kind of want to build a foamcore speedboard over the summer, but I have a few questions.

First off, what type of foam? I have heard that Airex is the foam I should use, but I can't find were to buy it. Also is it expensive?

Second, how do I get concave? and how do I adhear the foam? epoxy will just melt the foam, right?

Lastly, how do I cut it? Should it be strong enough to be cut with a jig saw or do I need to cut my plys and use a wire cutter to cut the foam?

The board will be a top mount

Thanks for any help!!!

Airex is good foam. Extremely expensive. Plan on spending 50 bucks on foam alone because they usually sell in sheets. You adhere the foam with epoxy. You cut it with regular tools. But you need the edge to be 45 degrees. Good luck doing that with a jigsaw. And I've heard it sucks doing it by hand. And the foam you need doesnt cut with a wire cutter.
Good luck with it.

[That Guy]

Cut it with a hot wire. I know theres a tut 'round here somewhere explaining how to cheaply make one.

I'm also pretty sure theres a cheaper alternative to the above listed foam.

[arcane]

Cut it with a hot wire. I know theres a tut 'round here somewhere explaining how to cheaply make one.

I'm also pretty sure theres a cheaper alternative to the above listed foam.

I don't think he's looking to build a foam mold. He wants foam for the board itself.

[Everett McCord]

Airex is good foam. Extremely expensive. Plan on spending 50 bucks on foam alone because they usually sell in sheets. You adhere the foam with epoxy. You cut it with regular tools. But you need the edge to be 45 degrees. Good luck doing that with a jigsaw. And I've heard it sucks doing it by hand. And the foam you need doesnt cut with a wire cutter.
Good luck with it.

What kind of foam did you use for the Zealous Foamie that you recently made?

That board was actually my insperation for this

Oh the foam is for the board its self, just to clear up any confusion

Is there a cheaper alternative seeing it will be my first foam core and I dont necisarily want to spend $50 just to mess up

[burtonpunch84]

can you just use the blue insulater foam that you use for foam molds as a foam core? also i herd that you wrap the foam completely in fiberglass before you even attach it to the wood, is this true?

[cam75]

Airex is good foam. Extremely expensive. Plan on spending 50 bucks on foam alone because they usually sell in sheets. You adhere the foam with epoxy. You cut it with regular tools. But you need the edge to be 45 degrees. Good luck doing that with a jigsaw. And I've heard it sucks doing it by hand. And the foam you need doesnt cut with a wire cutter.
Good luck with it.

its true, doing it by hand sucks...there are alternatives to airex, just use a pvc foamwith a density of around 80kg/m3.
making foamcores is tricky, so because its your first time dont rush into it.
Also, you will need a decent vacuum system, im pretty sure roarockit wont do for this application, but hey i may be wrong, you will need fairly constany pressure over 24 hours for best results. i wouldnt bother with a hotwire cutter, when you can just make a template and route the shape.

can you just use the blue insulater foam that you use for foam molds as a foam core? also i herd that you wrap the foam completely in fiberglass before you even attach it to the wood, is this true?

i think you didnt understand what i said, the core is not seperatly wrapped in glass. its hard describing how to make these boards due to the number of ways they can be made.

[That Guy]

I don't think he's looking to build a foam mold. He wants foam for the board itself.

Ohhh word, forget anything I said then.

[burtonpunch84]

i think you didnt understand what i said, the core is not seperatly wrapped in glass. its hard describing how to make these boards due to the number of ways they can be made.

ooo my bad. i geuss wat i dont understand is do you just layer it like Fiberglass/wood/fiberglass/foam/fiberglass?

[cam75]

ooo my bad. i geuss wat i dont understand is do you just layer it like Fiberglass/wood/fiberglass/foam/fiberglass?

yeah, but more like Fiberglass/wood/resin/foam/fiberglass

[Everett McCord]

its true, doing it by hand sucks...there are alternatives to airex, just use a pvc foamwith a density of around 80kg/m3.

Could you please give an example, I can't seem to find any thing!!!

I beleive that I could use a friend of mines vacume bag, but if I can't then I'll get a roarokit, because there is no harm in having one

[cam75]

Could you please give an example, I can't seem to find any thing!!!

I beleive that I could use a friend of mines vacume bag, but if I can't then I'll get a roarokit, because there is no harm in having one

Airex alternatives:
Klegecell
divinycell
Corecell
Balsa (not pvc foam, but good stuff)
Thats all i can think of right now but im sure theres others.
Just make sure when you build this thing you make a decent mold to press the board onto.

[XPLOAD]

there is a good writeup on here somewhere that alex from Wefunk did about how he constructs his boards. was a really helpfull writeup.

[cam75]

there is a good writeup on here somewhere that alex from Wefunk did about how he constructs his boards. was a really helpfull writeup.

you mean this one?
http://www.silverfishlongboarding.co...ion-101-a.html

[XPLOAD]

you mean this one?
http://www.silverfishlongboarding.co...ion-101-a.html

Yeah, thats the one!