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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Camp Creek on March 02, 2026, 05:58:35 PM

Title: Starboard Marine Lumber for Form?
Post by: Camp Creek on March 02, 2026, 05:58:35 PM
Has anyone used Starboard Marine Lumber for a bow form?  I've done a few projects with it on my boat for speargun holders, electronics mounting plates, etc.
I can design a form in SolidWorks and cut it out with our CNC at work.
It is roughly the stiffness of wood, plus I can reinforce with aluminum channel if needed, I can machine it easily without making a lot of wood sawdust which we aren't really equipped to clean up, and hardly anything will stick to it.
It's Heat Deflection Temp is 215°F, so I doubt I could use heat strips, but am thinking this should probably be ok in a hot box.  Obvious question: How hot should my hot box be?
This stuff should be dimensionally stable i.e., no warping from humidity and is really easy to work with.

Tech Specs: https://www.kingplastic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/King-StarBoard-Physical-Properties.pdf

Any thoughts?
Title: Re: Starboard Marine Lumber for Form?
Post by: Crooked Stic on March 02, 2026, 06:56:09 PM
How much heat to use-- I get mine up to 130 degrees. Using  smooth on. Mixing always a bit more resin than hardener.
Have had only three delams in 20 plus years. Pretty sure one was a dry fire but could not prove it.
Title: Re: Starboard Marine Lumber for Form?
Post by: Kirkll on March 02, 2026, 07:47:15 PM
Even using heat strips the temp rarely exceeds 180 degrees. typically i only use 160 degrees. 

That should be excellent form material you would think. but i have no idea whether there will be any warping or twisting. I've never worked with it before.