gprider_capita

I am planning on learning to longboard this summer , and I need advice from anybody with decent experience with building their own longboards and such. I am currently building a longboard out of strips of pine glued together that was being used as a shelf rack. I cut it to 42" long by 8.5 wide and it is a little under 3/4in thick, it is fairly flexible and seems very solid. But i advice if it should be concaved or cambered, etc. I also want to know what would be a good shape to go with and what wheels and trucks i should get? any advice would be appreciated.

wrathfuldeity

Idk...not a longboarder nor skater...but usually to get the concave/camber with wood it is done with steaming and glue up on a jig and will also depend on the cut of the wood...face vs qtr sawn. Most decks are a glue up epoxy lam that is probably done with a press/jig or a vacume clamp/jig. I'd imagine with pine and if you used regular white wood glue it will likely snap and will not hold up to the flexing. I've made a couple of hack decks for the kids using scrap bamboo flooring, old garage door parts and old trucks/wheels found at a garage sale for $1. The one on the left is a 42 x 8" heavy battle ram that runs pretty smooth, doesn't handle curbs and will take out sizable animals for roadkill.

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boarderaholic

Pine is not a commonly used material in longboard building. Most beginner builders usually use baltic birch, maple and/or bamboo. As for the board itself, camber or concave depends on what you want. Do you want flex? Do you want a more solid grip with your shoes? It's definitely possible to make a board with both, though that is hard to press. As for what's a good shape, take a look at major manufacturers like Rayne and Landyachtz and see what they're making. And for trucks, wheels and bearings, depending on how wide your board is, you could consider 9" or 10" Calibers, 150 or 180 Randals/Paris, cheap bearings and 78 or 81a Flashbacks as a starting point. Check out www.silverfishlongboarding.com if you want more info. There's SO much information out there, take the time to google your questions.

gprider_capita

Thanks for the advice, for the past couple days i have been researching alot on silverfishlongboarding.com and just became a member there today. As for my original plan, the pine broke when i tried pressing it after only soaking it for 5 minutes. Now i'm using solid poplar wood and it is going to be a 42 in long by 8 in wide by 3/4 in thick and i will make a concave with either a hand planer or table saw or both. This will not be a serious everyday rider but more of a art peice as i will be making it as a art project and wood shop project and will ride it till i get the proper material to make a nice board.

boarderaholic

You're going to sand concave into your board?...

wrathfuldeity

usually to get the concave/camber with wood it is done with steaming and glue up on a jig and will also depend on the cut of the wood...face vs qtr sawn. Most decks are a glue up epoxy lam that is probably done with a press/jig or a vacume clamp/jig.


ahhh...did you notice this ^ ...not shaping with planer or table saw

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gprider_capita

I did notice this, and i know about those processes but the fact that i'm using scrap solid hardwood means that i can't use those methods or don't have the right equipment. When i do get the time to purchase some baltic burch or maple veneer i will do one of the proper methods for giving concave or camber, but for now i will use what i got.