Force Fin Designs

[Bob Evans]

Today it would take so much less time with a 3D printer!

I have been using 3-d printing for AeroHance Projects.AeroHance GasPods Project – Be Atmospheric But we scanned a hand shaped pod first. As a artist with work in several Museums MOMA)Bob Evans | MoMA I feel the feel of hand shaping matters or some cumputor screen.

 

[Bob Evans]

Today it would take so much less time with a 3D printer!

 

[Bob Evans]

After losing the red clay fin model in the molding process I decided to go back to window screen and copper wire frame structure, using marine silcone to attatch the screen to frame. I was living with my friend Andriana Rowan ( Former Husband was Dan Rowan Dan Rowan - Wikipedia ) in her Hope Ranch home where I started the next fin model. You can barely see the srap on the Polyurethane (red) on the seat

 

[Bob Evans]

I found the drawing for the next fin 5-19-1980. After watching me swim in his pool, my Mentor Bev Morgan stated the fin blade needed to move up to the upper part of your ankle. Remember I used the foot pocket design from my Jet Fin. I could use Velcro strap around the ankle and add a horse like stirrup for your foot. After the screen was attachted I coated the fin with resin and white miro-spheres. Then hand sanding. I layed the final model next to first Polyurethane fin for size comparison. 28 Anacapa Street Work shop.

 

[Bob Evans]

At this time I was diving around the California Channel Islands in my dive boat " Haik". Spent time down at the East end of Santa Cruz Island. Became friends with June and Ed. who ran the Gherini Ranch at Scorpion Cove.Santa Cruz Island History and Culture - Channel Islands National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Our Sheep Dog Maggie had a litter at the time we were anchored and June feel in love with one of the puppies. During an evening dinner at Scorpion Ranch I brought up my fin project. June pipped in that maybe her son Jimmy Gray could help me, since he was a surf board shaper and was making diving helmet for Kirby-Morgan. Wow, with Bev Morgan being a mentor and supporter of my fin designs, this might be a good deal..,,,,,

 

[Bob Evans]

Maggie looking in the porthole on the " Haik". Hey Bob !! it's cold and windy Mate.!!!!

 

[Bob Evans]

Back to my work shop at 28 Anacapa Street. Maggie is wandering around the office of La mer Bleu Productions. Out side I was working on fins under the blue tarp.... looking into Elaine Hyde and Tim Murry glass blowing studio. Early 1980's.

 

[Bob Evans]

Let me introduce to you Jimmy Gray, nick named the " Grey Ghost". Grew up in Manhattan Beach, we knew the same surf crowd. I am 4th generation from Hermosa Beach. California. The secound I met Jimmy, things got flowing. He was the right guy to help me with tooling made from resin and fiberglass (ich). So our deal was a cold 6-pack of Budwiser, $8.00 per hour. Jim wanted the Kirby-Morgan pay, but my funds were limited at the time from photo sales.Bob Evans Photography If I hit the home run with this "FIN" I would cover the extra cost.At $18.00 in 1980 dollars, the equivalent of more than $50 per hour today. Little did I know with a hand shake I would give Jim $21,000 dollars in 1990...but he earned it. So here is a picture of Jimmy Gray reviewing the first Rollar skate wheel material, hand cast Poly-Urethane. And our first fiber glass mold. And maggie and more to this image than I can say right now. Stay Tuned. More on this later. Jimmy Gray. This ankle fin will be featured next....

 

[Bob Evans]

The ankle fin top and bottom. They looked interesting till I took them for a spin. Note sure about the cat face ? I was bent on those up curved wing tips. Red was a HOT color in the skate wheel market, so we went red.

 

[Bob Evans]

The fin making process changed over night once Jimmy showed me how to lay up fiberglass and polyester resin. We could make a fin plug, then a fiberglass mold and then into production within weeks. This process went on for around 16 years. Here I am laying up in front of my office at 28 Anacpa Street, Santa Barbara, California Early 1980's.