Help me pick boards out of this wood

What works and what doesn't. Share design ideas, references and contacts for paipo board builders.
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PaipoRick
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Help me pick boards out of this wood

#1

Unread post by PaipoRick »

It's paulownia from a local tree. Around here they call it "princess tree". I picked the plank up last year and never did anything with it. I thought about making an alaia out of it but I prefer prone riding.

There are two possible boards here. One would be around 44x15x1/2, the other 36 (maybe 42+) and 15x1. This board has a bit more room in the aft to work with and it's thicker there.
The 44x15 section
The 44x15 section
The 36+x15 section
The 36+x15 section
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OG-AZN
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Re: Help me pick boards out of this wood

#2

Unread post by OG-AZN »

I've never worked with paulownia before, but if I had your slab, I'd start at the thick end and cut it at 42" - 44" . I'd take advantage of the gradual thinning of the wood, and use the thin end for either the nose or tail. The remaining 1/2" - 5/8" piece could be used for a short paipo/kick board or a bunch of handboards (planes).
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PaipoRick
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Re: Help me pick boards out of this wood

#3

Unread post by PaipoRick »

15 to 16 wide ok?

I've never worked with it either. It's very light, that board is around 8'x16" and I can hold it up with one hand, no straining.

I am thinking of cutting a small chunk off and sanding it to see how it looks. The person I got it from uses it in inlays on furniture.
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OG-AZN
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Re: Help me pick boards out of this wood

#4

Unread post by OG-AZN »

I'd say 15-16" wide is fine, unless you're an xl + size person or like to ride with both elbows down on the deck at all times. Some of my ply boards are in that width range.

I know there are several varieties of paulownia. I've read the wood from the ornamental type tree is more suited to making small or decorative objects. If I had a good size piece, I'd definitely try to make a board or 2 from it regardless of tree type. Even if a full size board doesn't hold up, you can still turn it into some handboards.
Last edited by OG-AZN on Wed Mar 07, 2012 9:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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PaipoRick
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Re: Help me pick boards out of this wood

#5

Unread post by PaipoRick »

5'11 and under 200#.

When I first rode a paipo I had both elbows down, which didn't feel right. I then rode how I rode bodyboards, which was one arm down and the other up so the hand is on the rail to control it.

I'm going to make some designs on cardboard sheet then lay them onto the board so I can get a feel of what will work.
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bgreen
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Re: Help me pick boards out of this wood

#6

Unread post by bgreen »

Personally, I'd like something a bit wider -18-19". There is always the option of buying an extra piece of wood gluing it to one of the other pieces and not having to worry about squeezing two boards out.

Bob
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Re: Help me pick boards out of this wood

#7

Unread post by PaipoRick »

How about a redwood stringer that's 4" or so wide? That will give me some width. Just glue the hell out of it.
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Re: Help me pick boards out of this wood

#8

Unread post by bgreen »

PR,

Why not. I'm sure Mr.Mike has lots of examples of boards like this: http://mypaipoboards.org/interviews/MrM ... 1026.shtml

Bob
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Re: Help me pick boards out of this wood

#9

Unread post by Uncle Grumpy »

FWIW,
After riding it for a few years now, my all time favorite small wave board is still my "Finley" style paulownia alaia.
Having been to NC, I suspect a board similar to this would be an excellent and much enjoyed addition to your quiver.

5'5" X 15" X <¾"
IMGP3438.JPG
IMGP3352.JPG
Glide Baby, Glide. 8-)
Paipo surfer in repose,
Nose on the nose,
No grunting he-man pose.
See how fast he goes!
What is it he knows?
mrmike
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Re: Help me pick boards out of this wood

#10

Unread post by mrmike »

I like mine sortof narrow no more then 16" wide but more like 14" for me narrow boards hold the wave face better and get them in to smaller tubes with out the lip hitting the outside edge of the board
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Re: Help me pick boards out of this wood

#11

Unread post by Poobah »

Make one board without any stringers or glue joints. Make the other board with redwood 1/2's glued on each rail. Then compare the flex.
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