one piece wakeskates

gregg · Backside 180 Joined: 08 Nov 2003 Posts: 681 City: Killen

i was wondering if any company or person has tried to make a single piece wakeskate. what i mean is a wakeskate that is cut out of a massive piece of wood instead of one put together with plys. it seems to me that it would be more durable, get less water loged and and keep its original pop for a longer time. although, it would be more costly.

wakeriderof87 · Frontside 180 Joined: 02 Oct 2003 Posts: 495 City: cen fla

it sounds heavy

The Pavement 3.6 · Backside 180 Joined: 23 Jan 2004 Posts: 572 City: Eustis

yeah plus it would probaly end up being in the 150-300 dollar range?

kento911 · Kickflip Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Posts: 3657 City: Phoenix

the laminated plys are stronger, because they cross laminate the grains to give it more tortional strength, plus the resin/glue used to laminate the layers actually helps the skates ability to resist water damage

Matt_French · Guest

Here is an idea that i came up with a while ago...give me some feedback as to how you think this process might work...or what could be done to make it better

I will explain each step as listed per number...

1. Take a peice of ~ 1" thick wood (plywood??? solid??? what do you think would work best) and put horizonal cuts (or scores if you will) about half way through the thickness of the board repeat across the entire length. This will allow the board to bend with ease. The distance between each cut would have to be experimented with.

2. Create a jig to set the boards rocker. You might even think to use an existing wakeskate as a jig.

3. Apply a thick layer of resin to the top of the board that you made all of the grooves in....making sure to fill every gap completely.

4. Use a thin 'vener' type sheet of wood as a top sheet. You can run the grain opposite direction to that of the bottom plank for additional strength.

Then just clamp it in the jig....and let the resin set. When you bend the board into its final shape....you will be sealing the cuts that you made back together.

Trim and sand the board to your liking...and then water seal the entire board with a waterproof Urethane.

I'm not sure if this concept is even do-able. I'm just layin it out...for all ya'll to play it out.

One other idea that i had...was you could play around with the resin material that you use to fill the gaps with...to make the board more flexible or more floaty...you could even add vertical cuts to give the board concave.

What do you think the pros and cons of this design would be...did i just waste my time on this post??? or should i be kicking myself for not getting a patent??? Let me know...

ollieshuvitz · Posted: Sep 12, 2004 9:53 pm Post subject:

Might work, just watch your weight.

satori* · Posted: Sep 12, 2004 10:01 pm Post subject:

plywood is infinitely better for many reasons. mostly: stock logs easier, is more expensive, harder to bow, less strong, and heavier.

and Matt_French, the idea is logical but wouldnt be efficient. their are simpler ways to achieve more flex, i dont know if that would be worth it. it would also be weaker. and the flexing and bending of the score walls would push on the laquer, compressing and stretching it, with might cause bubbles or other damage killing the structural integrity of your laminate.
it would definitely be interesting to try and find out for sure though.

gregg · Backside 180 Joined: 08 Nov 2003 Posts: 681 City: Killen

I still think no matter how you lay the grain of the plywood, a sold piece would be stonger adn not bend as much, because of this you could make it a little thinner so it wouldnt be so heavy

satori* · Posted: Sep 12, 2004 11:15 pm Post subject:

they make plywood because its stronger than stock.

concusionfilms · Faceplant Joined: 16 Aug 2004 Posts: 21 City: austin

insted of scoring the plywood have you consiidered using a steam box?I've shape a couple of skateboards myself using one and it works great,you can use one jig to set the rocker and another for the concave ,after you sget the rocker and such just trim off the excess and seal thehell out of it
just a thought

kento911 · Kickflip Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Posts: 3657 City: Phoenix

gregg, I agree with satori*, my mother worked for chanmpion lumber for ten years, and when I tried to make my own skateboards back in the day, she made me read all this crap on plywood, and it was basically developed as a stronger, and more affordable alternative to solid stock

Matt_French, your idea is good in theory, but your leverage will be too great on the slits, and after the reisn breaks out the board will only be as strong as the thinnest part, pressing is just soo much more effective and efficent, but you have found the secret to clean radiused rails, thats how I put bends in my rails, by making slits and then bending them together, and welding them