Term 4 Week 5

On Thursday, I began lacquering. I managed to complete the actual lacquering fairly quickly, but than was left to wait the rest of the period for it to dry. On Monday, I took down my board and observed the lacquer finish. it looked nice and glossy, and made the original graphic look 100x better. I then began the task of griptaping. I begun by hand-pressing the griptape down, but the finish didn't look too good because of the many air bubbles. To get them out I used a technique Big Sam taught me which involved using the rubber end of a file to press out the bubbles. I then filed the edges, so there was a clear line in which I was to cut with a craft knife. I cut the edges carefully, but there were still some places where my handiwork didn't look that good. After griptaping I had completely finished the practical side of DTM, and only have to finish my checklist to finish the course. Yesterday I also published my evaluation - design process, this took a while because there was soo much to write about. Today I'm blogging, adding photos and touching up the remaining items on my checklist. We dont have DTM on Thursday because today is the last day of term.

Term 4 Week 4

On Thursday last week, I finally began hand-painting my bottom graphic. Unfortunately the finish (or more importantly edges) didn't turn out that good, but it does give the 'hand-painted' view that only a shittly painted board can express. I only got one (of the seven) strips finished (Red) on the Thursday. I used the colour 'Havoc' which we had bought from Resene previously. On Friday Kenji, Sam & I went in after school and i finished 2 more strips (Orange - 'West Side' & Yellow - 'Broom'). The yellow didn't turn out that well, as the base black still showed through the paint. ON Monday I did all the remaining strips (Green - 'Japanese Laurel', Blue - 'Endeavour', Indigo - a mixture (made by Sam) of 'Wet & Wild' and Christalle & Violet - Christalle). I then went over all the colours again (and Yellow several times!). Today i'm blogging, posting new photos - basically doing the usual + attempting to complete my checklist. Tomorrow I'm lacquering my board, so it'll go real hard and glossy. Next week (IF there's a next week) I'll be touching up my board.

Term 4 Week 3

Last week on Thursday I decided to hand-paint my bottom artwork, because of the complex design. I drew my artwork (a contoured rainbowed) on my board with a pencil. It turned out pretty well (I think anyway) but I'll see in the next couple of weeks whether my hard work was put to good use. I'm a bit sceptical of the hand-painted technique, but since my board is bumpy anyway, it'll look more 'custom' and possibly cooler than my original impression. On Monday we missed our double-period due to the long weekend (which Sam, Kenji & I went snowboarding on). Today I'm Blogging, Adding photos, basically touching up on my checklist, which I only have just over a week to complete. I'll also begin my evaluation as it determines the difference between not acheived & excellence. On Thursday I'll actually begin my hand-painting as we only have two more periods to complete the artwork. So hopefully I finish my bottom tomorrow and then will have enough time to do the top side. Anyway I'm almost on track to complete my checklist and board. Just gotta try harder over the next couple of weeks.

Term 4 Week 2

On Thursday I began sanding down my last coat of primer with 120 grade sandpaper. And on Monday I followed up with 220 sandpaper & finally 400 sandpaper. This made the board really, intensely smooth. On the second of our double-period, both Kenji & I were to begin spraying. Unfortunately the sprayer wasn't working due to cloggage. Terry cleaned it out with paint thinner, and we were on our way. My vision of the finish was to be smooth & crisp, however the paint came out really speckly & bumpy. It didn't look bad though, it looked as if it was powder-coated, and the 'Black' paint (from Resene) looked matte-ish. Today, I'm blogging, adding pics (all the usual) and may begin my evaluation (but probably won't). Tomorrow I'll be beginning my actual artwork, and probably using a mix of newspaper & masking tape to do it. By next week I hope to have finished my artwork.

Term 4 Week 1

On Thursday, I chose my griptape (see Flik Clear Griptape - The Griptape I Chose) and decided to use the clear version. On Monday (of this week) I did the second of my two undercoats, this time working on the underside of my board. I completed that in the first of our double period, and then in the second period, the whole class went down to resene to select some test pots. I chose Black (Black), Christalle (Violet) & West Side (Orange). I plan to use the excess paint from Kenji's - Havoc (Red), Broom (Yellow) & Japanese Laurel (Green), Sam's - Optimist (Blue) and use another person's Indigo. I would then have my rainbow colours (and the base colour Black) sorted. Today I'm doing the usual blogging & calender updating. Terry also ordered the griptape today, and called us up each individualy to pick our griptape. On Thursday I'll sand down the under-coated paint (Top & Bottom) and may possibly begin spraying!!!

Term 3 Week 10

Last week (on Thursday) I painted my first coat (of 2 coats) of primer. I learnt that we needed to only use a small amount of paint, and use long, smooth strokes in order to complete the priming. I finished the whole first layer on Friday, as I (along with Kenji) went in after school. During the first period of our double-period I began sanding back the paint with 400 grade sandpaper. The sandpaper made a major difference, as the dry paint left the board feeling bumpy and rough. After sanding, I bogged up the holes in the side(s) of my board, as they were easily spotted against the white background. During the second period I waited for the bog to dry up before sanding down the edges of the deck. I did a nice, thick, even coat (of primer) on the top half of my board, which left it looking awesome. The paint took a long time to dry, so I didn't achieve much in the remainding 20 mins. Today I'm blogging, calender-ing and adding even more photos (some of which are of the priming). On Thursday I'm choosing my griptape, as Terry decided to let everyone choose there own griptape. We can choose 2 different colours/griptape(s), but i'm gonna choose clear, so you can see the rainbow design on the top. Next term I hope to finish priming (in the first week). Also Terry hinted we (the whole class) may be going down to Resene, to choose test pots, and I (along with Kenji) am going to look for matte black paint. I don't think I'll need to choose the rainbow colours, as I'll be using the excess/remainders of my classmates test pots.

Term 3 Week 9

On Monday I sanded down my board further (with 1200 sandpaper) on the edges so it was so incredibly smooth, so it felt unnatural - sorta like smooth plastic or something. I also asked Terry several times whether he could get matte black paint (see pic) as this is the colour I want on my whole board. During the second period of our double-period Terry sent Kenji, Big Sam and I to Resene to pick up paint supplies (10L bucket & six 100mm paintbrushes). We did exactly as he asked but he then sent us back down because "the paintbrushes were too expensive" ($30 each!) so we went back down and got the lady behind the counter to ring Terry regarding the paintbrushes. They sussed it out and we then walked all the way back to the school, for no reason. It was pretty funny because Sam tried to ditch the paintbrushes in a bush, he then realised he was a retard and went back and got it. Today I'm doing the usual blogging (as it's Wednesday). Tomorrow I'll be working in the room next to the metalwork room , on the computers - continuing my design. Next week I hope to put primer on the whole thing, and finally spray it matte black. Next term I'll be putting my rainbow design on the board, and if I have enough time (as we only have 4 weeks - 48 hours of DTM left).

Term 3 Week 8

During week 8 we had NO DTM due to mock exams.

Term 3 Week 7

Last Thursday I sanded down my newly-bogged up hole. I made it smooth enough so you couldn't feel the transition between wood & bog. I then got some wet 220 sandpaper to use on the edges of my board, which made it so smooth that it felt almost like plastic. On Monday, I continued to use wet 220 on my edges, then later on the underside of my board. I then felt my board was finished to the point where sandpapering further wouldn't make a difference so I went onto one of the computers next door and (using Freehand) started on my bottom board design (a wavy rainbow graphic). I only got to the point where I had the basic dimensions of my board. Today (Wednesday) I'm doing the usual blogging/adding new photos and (if I have enough time) will continue on my freehand design. Tomorrow I'll again be working on my Freehand design - as I need it completed in order to begin making my stencil/vinyl. Next week we don't have any DTM, or any school due to mock exams. The following week however, I hope to finish my Freehand design and change it to a 2D design compatible file.

Term 3 Week 6

Before I write about this week I'll write about the end of last week... On wednesday I began rounding the edges. I managed to finish a whole side (exc. the bottom/back). On Thursday I continued roundin the edges, hoping to finish by the end of the day. I accomplished my goal completing one side, the back and the small curve on the back corners. On Monday period 3, I began sanding down the top and bottom of the board, rubbing especially hard on the splatters of epoxy. During the second period (of our double period) I continued my sanding, with the aid of a hand-held belt sander thingy. I also bogged up the chip in my board and now waiting til tomorrow to sand that down. Today I'm blogging and adding more photos. If i have enough time i'm also going to try get more up-to-date with my checklist. Tomorrow I'll be sanding down my newly bogged chip and confirming my design for next week.

Term 3 Week 5

Today I’m blogging (on last week and this week) as we didn’t have any computer periods last week. I’ve updated calendar (today) and posting photos of cutting out the board and sanding it down. Next period we'll be in com 2 (again) and I'll be blogging and maybe solidworks-ing also. Basically i'll try to get up-to-date with my checklist. On Wednesday we'll be doing practical and I'll be sanding down my board. On Thursday I'll be (hopefully) rounding my edges. Next week I hope to start designing my stencil (as I'll be using a stencil/vinyl to complete the graphic on the bottom of my board). Then (over the next couple of weeks) I'll be doing my top and bottom graphics.

Term 3 Week 4

This week was all-out practical. On Monday I finished drawing out the board. Then Sam, Kenji and I went into the woodwork room to use the band-saw. Sam went first, getting Terry to cut out his board for no apparent reason. Kenji went second and I held his board still while he cut it out. Then it was my turn. First I cut out the rough shape of the board (not including the curved front). I the trimmed down the side, back and back corners. As I wasn't confident enough to cut out the frontal curves I asked Kenji (who had previous experience with the band-saw) to do it for me. I turned off the band-saw and admired my newly-cut board. I felt as if I had made tonnes of progress in the double period - more than i've ever done before. On Wednesday I was sanding down the board, to makes the straights straight and the curves curved. I managed to sand downn the whole left-hand side of the board to the drawn line (as there was excess from the cutting). On Thursday I was doing the same thing (but this time working on the right-hand side). I am hoping to finish sanding (still have to round edges) this week.

Term 3 Week 3

On thursday I took out my board from its clamps. It hadn't retained the mould shape very well, for example i had planned to loft the kicktail by 4cm but it turned out only as 2cm. Also When one of the clamps came off, it took out a chunk of ply wood (see pics), which doesn't look too good. However Terry said i could bog it up. Otherwise I was impressed with my handiwork. Also on thursday we dismantled our moulds (Kenji first, followed by me) so we could re-use the screws, and we binned the mould pieces. I personally think that this wasn't a good idea because if our board gets destroyed or ruined we would be unable to make a new one.
On Monday I began to draw out my actual board shape (1/1 scale) on the recently laid deck (see photos). I found the back half really easy but the front curve was difficult. I free-handed one half of the curve and used a grid method to mirror the other half. Today I'll be blogging (reflections, adding photos etc) and calender-ing. Tomorrow I hope to finish drawing the shape onto my board. And next week I hope to begin cutting it out.

Term 3 Week 2

Thursday recap: Today we learnt how to lay down a board. Using Sams as a prototype Maddy and Jack explained to Me and Kenji the process. First you get an empty can (baked beans can works well) and mark out 55mm, then 66mm. Fill the can with epoxy (up to the 55mm mark) then add hardener until the 66mm mark. Stir to mix the two together. We then spread the mixture on a single piece of ply wood. We made sure we spread it evenly and everywhere. Next we laid down the sheet of fibreglass and pressed down on it until it was firmly glued to the bottom ply. Next we spread the epoxy/hardener mixture on the top of the fibreglass. Once again we did it evenly. Next two people held the last piece of ply in the air while the other two spread the same mixture on the top. Then we flipped it and put it onto the rest of the deck. We then (using 6 clamps) clamped down the newly made deck onto the mould. We finished and sam was happy with his board. On Monday period 3 i helped Kenji lay down his board (using the process described above. Once again Maddy and Jack helped and we finished before lunch. After lunch it was my turn. Unfortunately I only had 5 clamps (1 less then everyone else) but managed to place them evenly and was very happy with my board. I will take iit out of the clamps on Thursday (but hopefully longer). Today i'm doing the usual blogging (including writing this long as reflection) and maybe will be able to continue with Solidworks (which i'm having trouble getting used to). Tomorrow im guessing i'll be helping someone else lay down their board. Oh and i will be researching my design (which i have already decided on).

Term 3 Week 1

During the two-week holidays i went up to Auckland, to work. I had an awesome time up there. On Monday it was back-to-school time, so in DTM I drilled the holes through the bottom MDF board on my almost completed mould.. I then screwed the mould pieces on to the board (with the help of Kenji, and occasionally Sam). YAY! My mould was completed! Today i'm blogging, calender-ing and SolidWorks-ing. Tomorrow I hopefully will be laying down my board but if not, helping Sam And Kenji lay down theirs. Next week i definitely hope to lay my board down if my attempt tomorrow is unsuccessful.

Term 2 Week 10

On Monday i was working on my mould (yet again). I sanded down the pieces that i had cut on the previous Monday. I also laughed at Sam because he got sawdust poured down his hood then put his hood on, showering his head with sawdust. On Wednesday the class voted that we do practical that day then computers on Thursday. I got bad news from Terry that we were only allowed to use four pieces on our moulds. This upset many people as they had already done 6-7 pieces. I was unhappy because my mould consists of 7 pieces. I also found out (this week) that we would not be using flax in our boards (I already thought the flax was a bad idea), making most of term 1's work a waste of time. I started measuring where the mould pieces will eventually lie on a piece of MDF. Terry laid down the first test board (Toms) on Monday. The test board (see pics) broke as a result of not enough time in the mould (2 days as opposed to the ideal 7). Today im blogging and may continue with solidworks. Over the next two weeks we have holidays so i will continue working next term.

Term 2 Week 9

On Monday I was working on my mould yet again. I sanded down curves so they were even more in line then they've ever been before. I measured exactly 100mm up from the bottom of each of the 7 mould pieces and then got Kenji to cut them in half. I then got Terry to cut a piece of MDF for the bottom of the mould. I then carefully sanded down the mould pieces. On Wednesday i was sick and missed out on DTM. Today i'll be working on SolidWorks and may start to research R180 Epoxy Resin & Double Bias Roving Fibreglass. Next week i hope to complete my mould.

Term 2 Week 8

On Monday period 3 i was working on my mould again. I sanded down all the pieces evenly to the point where they were exact replicas of each other. I also drew up the dimensions on a piece of paper. On the second period of our double-period i was helping Kenji (as Kenji, Sam & I are in a gang together) to drill holes and screw in the mould pieces into a bit of MDF. Today i'm writing this reflection, updating mould photos and continuing on with my SolidWorks design. Tomorrow i hope to help Sam drilling and screwing his mould together. Next week i should be able to finish my mould (as Sam and Kenji will help me in drilling & screwing, as i helped them...)

Term 2 Week 7

This week I was working on my mould again. I sanded down 5 of the 7 pieces so their curves were exactly the same. However i hadn't cut the curvature on piece 5 so I cut it out aswell. I also began sanding it down to size. Today i'm blogging (adding mould photos and reflections) and updating my calendar. I also hope to begin on my final design for my longboard deck on solidworks, as i will be continuing on this tomorrow. Next week i hope to complete my mould (as we're having three practicals) and try to finish my solidworks final design.

Term 2 Week 6

We had no DTM on monday due to Queens Birthday, meaning we missed out on double practical. Today i'm posting reflections, photos and updating my calendar as we are in the com rooms. I also hope to jog my memory on the last solidworks tutorial, so i can begin on my actual longboard. Tomorrow we are doing practical and i hope to sand down my mould so the pieces have even curves. Next week i hope to finish my mould all together and begin on my real longboard solidworks thingy.