Well lets be honest here, obviously I did not expect this process to be an easy one, however I did not really expect to run into this many difficulties and still not have at least a viable blank (blank deck). My first attempt was just down right terrible, I used terrible wood and my concave was way too steep. Essentially turning my would be board into a long soup bowl. I changed the rail height on my press to 1/2 in. instead of 3/4 in. And I purchased better wood (well Better quality does not mean useful in board making). I got my hands on 1/4 in. birch plywood and it is too stiff to fit into the press without cracking at the kick tail. Off to locate a more pliable plywood. After doing some research I have found a wood shop that sells 1/8 in Baltic birch wood. Lets hope that this leads to some sort of success. If this does not work then I will be forced to learn how to steam wood.