Junior year of high school I may have been a bit of an adrenaline junkie. Β One frosty February morning, just outside of Boston, whereΒ ice covered half the roads and paths, I was hanging out with my friend Abby. Β Abby longboarded and on this day I found a board in her car and asked if I could give it a go. Β As I flew down a curving path down a hill, windΒ rushing past me, the path twisted andΒ there was a patch of ice at the edge.Β The wheels hit the ice and I went soaring before landing chest first into the pavement. Β Abby ran over in horror. Β I got myself upΒ and gave her Β a huge smile saying I had found a new hobby.
A couple of months later I bought my first board, a Sector 9 with double king pin trucks. Β I rode with Abby for years and I learned how to slide on the board. Β I started thinking about the physics of boards, their flex, their strength, their trucks and wheels. Β Boards come in different shapes, sizes and designs. Β People customize everything from the bearings and wheels to the trucks and decks.
The inspiration for this project came from two places, the mind and the heart. Β I am fascinated with boards and building one will include woodworking and possibly machining (if I build the trucks). Β I want to make a gift for Abby, to show how much our friendship means to me. Β This personalized board is the perfect opportunity to enhance my skills and create a piece of functional art tailored to my best friend.
The thing I can bring to this board is the personal artwork on the deck. Β I have several ideas that I think Abby will love (representations of inside jokes so to speak).
The hardest part will be the trucks if I pursue building them. Β I have been told by multiple knowledgeable longboard salesmen that I amΒ probably in over my head. Β Casting would cost thousands of dollars, so that’s out of the question. Β Using a CNC seems to be my best bet, but the materials might still be out of my price range in addition to never previously machining anything. Β If I don’t build the trucks correctly and they break during riding, that could be detrimental and unsafe. Β The most important and personal piece is the deck, so that is where I will start. Β If I can manage the trucks, cool, if not, I can always buy a pair and the soulful aspect and aesthetic does not alter.
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[…] Sophie’s Design Project Inspirations […]
I love the back story and inspiration for this project. I can’t wait to see where it goes! I agree that focusing on the deck at first might be a smart approach. Creating your own trucks would be cool but, like you said, extremely difficult.
Radical dudette! I like the background behind your story, I used to do similar stuff before the engineering school took over my life. But, I think your project will come along great! Hit up one of your minions if you need help designing or CADing.
I think that just building the board will be a great project. You’ll have to find wood, shape it and then press it with an adhesive. Also, gotta decide on a good shape for it, as well as some graphics. I have a friend who has a ski press and CNC if the process is similar.