Just finished a flat deck, wooden base surf rack. Wanted to do something other than the green turf base. What do ya'll think?

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You know I love the racks you did for me Mel, but my feedback on this design is it needs some padding + friction to keep those boards safe and secure.  the turf looks like it works well for indoor applications and maybe something soft like a yoga mat (with designs?) or similar applied to the base would too

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"Don't count the days, make the days count." -Ali
#rydyrstrong

I like the wood look better. The turf cover is kinda hokey for me. But Certon is right you need some cushioning. Perhaps something clear so you can still appreciate the beauty of the wood.

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Replace turf grass with native plants that don't need irrigation and synthetic fertilizers or chemicals that can go into our waterways and ocean

agree the wood look is much better than the turf if you can find a transparent soft surface option... good luck and thx again for the big racks Mel my sand boxes are da best!  

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"Don't count the days, make the days count." -Ali
#rydyrstrong

Ahhh.....I like the thought of something clear. I thought of just running two foam strips along the base boards, but didn't want to take away from the wood. Hmmm.....clear and cushiony. I wonder if this would be a home improvement store item or a crafty store type of item. And thanks Tim! I'm stoked you still love your racks. =) Let me know when you wanna build some more stuff!

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As someone who designs and manufactures for the open market I'll add my 2c since you're asking...

Go see someone at Seadek in Rockledge. Get something cut and nice looking. 

Buy better wood with no knots. Go to lumber yards and order a higher grade. Get clear hard pine if you want to keep using that. Doesn't matter if you put dark stain on them or not, framing 2X4's are still what any joe blow can buy and nail together in an afternoon while slamming beers. 

Cut a nice end on the boards other than a 45 degree chamfer. Look for an indo inspired panel holder design.

Keep at it!

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Thanks! Seadek looks to have some cool/nice stuff. As far as the knots in the wood.....are you saying to go for clearer smoother wood? I always liked the way the different textures of the wood come out in the stain. But as far as quality goes....does it make a difference in durability? For the purpose of surf racks... Another question on the seadek.... I'm guessing since its for marine purposes it has some sort of adhesive on the bottom? I didn't get a chance to thoroughly read through the website yet. Thanks again Mel

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Also, can you show me a picture of what you're thinking for the end cut. Thanks

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Personally I like a wood with interesting grain and knots. Especially when its pine. You also have to consider cost of materials and these look great. Some kind of a clear rubbery material would be ideal to cover the base and let the beauty show through. My only concern would be over time the material would cloud or worse decompose and you would lose the effect.

Another thought comes to mind to have a specific board base that would be a strip across only where the board has to hit so the rest is just natural wood. Then it wouldnt have to be clear. Maybe a black rubber strip about 4" wide across the base for everyboard?

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Replace turf grass with native plants that don't need irrigation and synthetic fertilizers or chemicals that can go into our waterways and ocean

Thanks Dane! I have been thinking of something similar to what you described. I'm going to look into both options. I definitely weigh my options as far as price/quality. What I've figued out is people want something functional, that looks pretty without spending 500$ like some other rack companies charge. Thanks for the feedback.

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The wood does look nice but this is to store and protect your Boards.  To me that is number one.

 One suggestion I would make is to put a 1"x2" block across the deck to keep the tails from slipping off the rack if the boards were accidentally bumped. cover witha quality indoor outdoor carpet and trim with wood.   Check the internet for rubberized spay truck bed liner.  They are now making it is diffrent colors.

I like the turf. Function first. The wood will slip and could cause a ding. 

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Here's a question for the shapers. How much damage can all the heat generated in  a garage , do to a surfboard? Just wondering. Would it eventually cause some delam.?

I figure on indoor summer vacation for boards, garage in winter.  

Very nice racks! Why not some shag carpet?

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Be Joyful because you have Hope, be Patient when trouble comes, Pray at all times. Romans 12:12

Boards call for waves... Maybe you could cut the bottom boards into varying thickness -- sort of a wave pattern -- with a trough about every 8 inches and peaks in between. A peak-to-trough height of about 1 inch would be sufficient to keep the boards from slipping around.

Maybe if done with balsa, it would be soft enough to minimize damage to those pointy swallow & pintails.

If you wanted to go easier, you could just cut some V-grooves across it.

Or instead of 1x2 as artz suggested, maybe just a half-circle of 1" moulding (or closet dowel); flat side down, curved arc up...

But yeah, I love the wood look, and those are all ways you could keep it stainable to match.

Edit: Structurally, you might want some corner pieces or diagonals along the back to prevent the possibility of "racking" (no pun intended).

Oh yeah, instead of 1x2 or semicircular moulding, how about bamboo for the stops?

How about cork?  I know they have cork flooring with a self adhesive backing that would closely match the color of the wood decking but give some cushion.  

Cork would be a nice surface. It can be durable, as well.

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These are all awesome ideas. I like the thought of cork or bamboo. I have made a couple racks that do have a front lip to keep wider boards from sliding out. Lot of new ideas in my head =) thanks ya'll

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Just realized I never posted any pictures of WaveRider's skateboard rack. He brainstormed this one up with me. It is wall mountable. Pre-Stain

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