My press, My method, a "How to" guide.

**Brodie** · 07-16-2008 09:05 AM

Great work. Nice presses, good walkthrough. Well done that man.

**hoch92000** · 07-17-2008 08:33 PM

Thanks Brodie. Couldn't have done it without my predecessors.

**hoch92000** · 08-02-2008 08:43 PM

I finally completed these boards. The topmount is listed in the 2008 summer open theme thread. The other two are drop throughs. I'm going to adjust the kicks for the next series. More angle, shorter WB. Details of the finish are described in the above thread. I am quite stoked to ride these and to present these to you.

**nicthekid220** · 08-02-2008 10:07 PM

nice

10char

**phil7153** · 09-26-2008 05:06 PM

**hoch92000** · 09-26-2008 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by phil7153

how much did 2x12x8' pieces of pine cost?

It's pretty cheap. 5 to 10 bucks. I have since made some minor mods to this press. The most significant is that the side runners should be about 3/8" thick to get a concave of 3/8" to 1/2" across 9 1/2". This seems to be the best curve to hug the feet and retain a nice round curve. Check out the LDP deck I made with this press http://www.silverfishlongboarding.co...80116-ldp.html. To save money, instead of a 2 by 12 board, just use what ever you have available, as long as it is stiff and at least 11" wide.

**steelshield09** · 10-21-2008 09:05 AM

I built a press loosely based on this post, and it rocks. Not that i've built anything to compare it to, but I've put two boards down on it and they both came out sweet. No camber, yet (wanted to start with simple concave) mostly because I haven't found a good source for BB. Small boards and concave makes the cheap American/Chinese birch usable, but so far I don't think I'd trust anything past 38" or so. By winter I hope to find some BB and try my hand at the full method and get some flex into these decks...

Thanks to hoch and brodie, and all the Fish who put their knowledge and experience out here for everyone to benefit from.

"...If I have seen a little further, it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants." - Issac Newton

**hoch92000** · 10-22-2008 08:17 PM

Glad it helped. Build your next press with camber too. Shouldn't be tough.

**HailSatan1** · 11-08-2008 09:13 AM

awesome press!

but i have a question yet. I noticed that your concave turned out perfectly and was wondering how you did that. maybe im just dumb and didnt read something but it looks really good.

**benmasters** · 11-08-2008 11:27 AM

you should make sure the top piece is centered w/ the center line of your board and the plys you are pressing are centered on the press.

**hoch92000** · 11-08-2008 10:58 PM

Originally Posted by HailSatan1

awesome press!

but i have a question yet. I noticed that your concave turned out perfectly and was wondering how you did that. maybe im just dumb and didnt read something but it looks really good.

The concave is achieved by pressing downward onto wood that is suspended under the sides. Check out the Two Brodie presses mentioned here for more info and insight.

Originally Posted by benmasters

you should make sure the top piece is centered w/ the center line of your board and the plys you are pressing are centered on the press.

Centering and concave can be discussed with a few updates on this press.

Centering the middle piece is easier if the end "L" clamps are placed and secured first. Clamp them against the middle "F", and it helps lock things into place before pressing the central 3 clamps "K".

Also, IMO, side runners 1/2" or thicker give too much cave. 3/8" is plenty, locks you in without space under your foot, and does not aggravate your feet. That's 10 mm or so for you metric blokes.

Try to press just enough such that your plies just touch the base "H". This will give a nice round cave. Too much will render a U shape.

Regarding camber, from my measurements, two ends of the spectrum are:

1.5" over 48" is just enough,resulting in a camber of 1/2" over a 40" board, stiffer board.
and
1.75" over 39" (steeper), resulting in just over 1" for a similar length board, flexy board.

I have used this press a few more times, and it has performed well with consistency.

Two solid pieces to press (such as foam or concrete), would be better, but this easier to construct.

**hoch92000** · 03-02-2009 06:22 PM

I just had a small addition to add to this press design. I have always had trouble getting things centered. To finally fix this, I have used some cross grain 1/8" BB and some 1/2" wooden doels. The main press beam is glued to a long 10" wide piece of cross grain BB, along the exact center line. Four 1/2" wooden dowels are screwed down on all four corners at exactly 10" apart (exact is of course a relative term) just beyond the side struts. This ensures centering of the upper press beam. It also helps ensure concave with less potential of delam, because the cross grain presses the cave truer.

Her is a top view.

Here are two presses with different amounts of camber. Notice the further one has two 1/8" BB plys. You can press Vlams this way. If the bottom layer is a Vlam core, the lower 1/8" BB ply helps to prevent splitting.

Also, I have tried simply pressing, a fiberglass laminate, and the result was suboptimal. You just can't get even enough pressure to get an adequate result. It will be thin under the ribs, and it will be thick with bubbles in the other areas.