Lib Tech Build a Board.

With the Lib Tech Do It Yourself board builder site now live (see the post on that) – I figured it would be a great time to show you all a little bit of what goesinto building a snowboard.

This past July, myself, Ryan (shop manager) and Andrew (our Lib Tech sales rep) all went to the Mervin head offices in Washington state.  We had a tour in the morning (see other post on that) and after lunch we were lucky enough to be able to build our own boards.
I choose a Travis Rice HP 161.5
Here is a photo history of the build.

Safety first!
Safety first!
It all starts with Wood. Lib Tech (and Gnu) make their own wood cores. What starts as a hunk of wood is glued / pressed / milled and shaped into the core.
It all starts with Wood. Lib Tech (and Gnu) make their own wood cores. What starts as a hunk of wood is glued / pressed / milled and shaped into the core.
Top Sheets and Bases - ready to go.
Top Sheets and Bases – ready to go.
A rainbow of sidewalls.
A rainbow of sidewalls.
Putting the inserts into the core. (which already has the sidewalls attached).
Putting the inserts into the core. (which already has the sidewalls and tip and tails attached).
Putting epoxy on the base (notice how no one is wearing masks - the entire Lib Tech factory is so clean and eco that the air is as fresh as outside).
Putting epoxy on the base (notice how no one is wearing masks – the entire Lib Tech factory is so clean and eco that the air is as fresh as outside).
Adding the dampening strips to the edges.
Adding the dampening strips to the edges.
Wetting out a layer of Basalt glass.
Wetting out a layer of Basalt glass.
The core is added next - and more epoxy is spread out.
The core is added next – and more epoxy is spread out.
Another layer of Basalt glass is added and wetted out. (Basalt glass is made from volcanic rock - check it out)
Another layer of Basalt glass is added and wetted out. (Basalt glass is made from volcanic rock – check it out)
After the last layer of glass - the top sheet is added.
After the last layer of glass – the top sheet is added.
The top half of the mold is added - and it is then put into the press where force and heat work their magic!
The top half of the mold is added – and it is then put into the press where force and heat work their magic!
After a secret amount of time - the board is done and pulled out of the press.
After a secret amount of time – the board is done and pulled out of the press.
My new snowboard.
My new snowboard.
The professionals took over for the finishing. Here the board is being cut to shape. While it is easy to follow the edge - Lib and Gnu boards have no edge at the tip and tail so "getting it right? is an art form.
The professionals took over for the finishing. Here the board is being cut to shape. While it is easy to follow the edge – Lib and Gnu boards have no edge at the tip and tail so “getting it right” is an art form.

 

Wheeeee Sparks! Grinding the edges.
Wheeeee Sparks! Grinding the edges.
Drilling out the inserts - sidewalk chalk is used to highlight where to drill.
Drilling out the inserts – sidewalk chalk is used to highlight where to drill.
Various base grinders are used to finish the board.
Various base grinders are used to finish the board.
Final step is Quality Control. Mine passed!
Final step is Quality Control. Mine passed!

 

A big THANK YOU to everyone at Mervin (makers of Lib Tech / Gnu) for allowing us to come into your “house” and play around for a day.

Mervin – snowboarder’s making snowboards for snowboarders – – and . . . every board is hand made near Canada!
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