This project was built and designed by Sam Macy. It’s a miniature wooden surfboard designed as a wall-hanging accent piece, blending bright colors and smooth curves for a coastal-inspired touch.
Perfect for kids’ rooms, beach homes, or themed décor, this project balances creative design with accessible techniques. Using colorful wood combinations and simple shaping tools, Sam creates a fun, lightweight board with plenty of visual appeal.
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Choosing Woods for Contrast and Character
To start, Sam searches through his lumber stash to find a mix of light and exotic woods. He selects basic one-by-three boards for the bulk of the surfboard’s body, favoring lighter woods for their workability and lower cost.
For visual contrast, he adds a stripe of mahogany down the center and pairs it with brighter woods like osage orange and padauk. These accent stripes give the board a vibrant, surf-style look—reminiscent of vintage longboards from the 1960s.
Milling the Boards and Preparing for Glue-Up
Once the wood is selected, each board is milled down to the same thickness to ensure a tight and even glue-up. Uniformity at this stage is essential for keeping the final surface smooth and avoiding gaps between strips.
The boards are glued side by side with alternating tones to create a striped pattern. Clamps hold the assembly overnight, allowing the glue to cure and lock the structure into one cohesive panel.
Flattening and Surfboard Layout
After the glue has dried, the board is planed flat to remove any height inconsistencies. This step isn’t mandatory but helps reduce sanding time and ensures a nice even surface for tracing the shape.
Sam uses a surfboard-shaped template created on a cutting machine to mark the outline. This helps guide the rough shape and keeps the proportions consistent with the classic surfboard silhouette.
Cutting and Shaping the Board
Using a bandsaw or jigsaw, Sam cuts along the outline to get the initial shape. From there, he begins sanding the perimeter, rounding edges and refining curves to give the board a smooth, organic feel.
The goal isn’t perfection—it’s about capturing the essence of a surfboard, with gentle tapers at the nose and tail. Sam uses a combination of power sanding and hand sanding to refine the surface and shape subtle contours into the board.
Adding a Decorative Fin
To complete the surfboard look, a small fin is cut from a piece of Douglas fir and attached to the bottom rear of the board. This fin adds character and depth, reinforcing the illusion of a functional surfboard—even though it’s purely decorative.
Sam sands the fin smooth and blends it into the overall design, giving it a clean connection point and polished edges. It’s a small detail, but it plays a big role in selling the surfboard aesthetic.
Applying Finish for Shine and Durability
For protection and appearance, Sam applies a few coats of spar urethane. This finish is designed for outdoor or marine use and adds a warm, glossy sheen that enhances the wood grain.
Each coat is allowed to dry before sanding lightly and reapplying. The urethane brings out the bold colors in the exotic woods while sealing the board for long-term durability.
Optional Wax Coat for Extra Luster
After the final coat of finish, a layer of wax is applied to bring out even more shine. This optional step gives the board a slightly softer feel and a more authentic surfboard finish.
The combination of spar urethane and wax gives the surface a deep, polished appearance—perfect for a piece meant to be displayed. Whether mounted on a wall or leaned on a shelf, the board stands out thanks to its clean lines and vibrant design.
A Great Gift or Decorative Accent
This project is ideal for gifting or decorating spaces with a beach or summer theme. Its compact size and lightweight build make it easy to hang or move around, and the color options are easily customizable.
Sam’s thoughtful material choices and simple process make it accessible for a wide range of skill levels. Whether you’re a beginner woodworker or just looking for a creative outlet, this is a fun project with impressive results.
Summary
Sam Macy’s wooden surfboard decoration is a creative blend of woodworking and design. From the contrasting wood tones to the smooth finish and playful fin, every detail comes together in a piece that’s both fun and stylish.
It’s a small project with big visual impact—perfect for surf lovers, coastal décor enthusiasts, or anyone looking to add a pop of handcrafted charm to their space.
Please support Sam by visiting his website here: https://sammacydesigns.com/.