The Loca-Board Tutorial

Getting tired of your tape releasing your bracelet in the middle of a knot?

Are you frustrated with all your strings getting all jumbled so you wind up spending 50% of your time just de-tangling and/or re-sorting?

Have you ever thought, “there’s got to be something better than just this darn clipboard or tabletop!” Well, fret no more! YOUR WORRIES ARE OVER!!!!!!

It’s time to make... THE LOCA-BOARD!!!!

I have just recently gotten into this hobby (May 2022) but I have already done more than 15 projects ranging from keychains to full size dog collars. As my projects got bigger and bigger, the process of just using a tabletop with tape, or a clipboard just wasn’t cutting it anymore, and I needed to come up with something before I would lose my sanity.

So, one evening I came up with a design and the next day, set out to gather my supplies, and gave birth to my creation... the Loca-Board!

• Lightweight but solid board similar to a clipboard solidity with dimensions roughly 50cms wide x 40cms height (20 inch x 16 inch for you Americans) – Found in an art store
• High density foam. Probably can find in an art store... I found mine at the side of a highway a couple months back.
• Exacto Knife
• Long serrated knife
• Glue gun and glue sticks
• Normal sized Clipboard
• 2 small clamps
• (optional) clip-on USB reading lamp

Cut the high-density foam into three strips:
• One strip 36cm x 2.5cm x 2cm (14 x 1 x 3⁄4 inches)
• Two strips 18cm x 1.5cm x 1.5cm (7 x 1⁄2 x 1⁄2 inches)

Using the glue-gun, glue the long strip horizontally 33cms from the top (13 inches roughly).

Then glue the two shorter strips vertically spaced at least 30 cms apart (12 inches) ... I did mine at 36cms apart (14 inches). THIS IS IMPORTANT as you want to fit your clipboard in between them. Be sure they are very secure but try not to have glue overflow.

Cut off two 3cm (1 1⁄4 inch) cubes from high-density foam, and shape them into hooks using the exacto knife and scissors. For me it was difficult as the foam was quite resistant.

Glue them above the vertical strips near the top, one each side, with the hooks facing upwards. This is for the border strings to keep them out of the way. I like to add a border on each side on a lot of patterns, and these hooks are the way to keep them specifically out of the way.

Using the serrated knife, cut in vertical slits on the long foam strip at the bottom, 1cm apart. (1/4 inch). Be sure to not cut all the way through the strip, only halfway down or so. These are where you are going to be able to secure your strings.

Then cut horizontal slits in the side strips.

Be sure to blow away any weird dusts etc. We don’t want unwanted “scrap glitter” in our projects 😉

Clip your clipboard in with two clamps at the top.

ENJOY YOUR NEW-FOUND FREEDOM!!!!!!

This will greatly help with segment-knotting. The bottom can be used for ongoing, and the sides can help with segments. This will also be extremely helpful with alphas, and will help hold the strings TIGHTLY in place!

It’s not pretty, as this is my first prototype, but I have already noticed a great increase of efficiency and it’s a true time-saver! I have folded paper wrapped under my clipboard clip as the metal may have a potential to cut through knots. I am working on how to make this better.... I also have a neat-o clip-on reading lamp with adjustable brightness that really helps a lot as I do most of my crafts at night.

Also.... It’s a single piece (the whole board) that makes it super easy with setting aside the bracelet when you need to do other things (like life stuffs). When you get back to the project, it’s all ready to continue on without having to re-sort all your strings, re-taping etc. I found it to be extremely helpful.

ENJOY YOUR OWN LOCA-BOARD!!!!!!