Making a skateboard mold

Concrete skateboard molds are relatively easy to make. However you are limited in your pressing options.

Designing your own mold is a fun and effective way to create your own custom skateboard! This makes the process a lot easier and more affordable than having to perfectly match a male and female side of a standard concrete or wood mold. Here are the tools you need: - Utility knife with a sharp long blade - Some sort of a saw. I used a Japanese saw, but a regular saw will do. Make it wider than the width of the deck, and glue grit sandpaper or stick grip tape to one side - pencil or black marker - A straight edge like a combination square or 12" ruler. The mold can be made out of foam, mdf or other stable and shapeable materials. The denser the material, the more it will hold up over multiple pressings, but the harder it will be to shape.

Making a skateboard mold

Wood skateboard molds are nice because they can be used to make a skateboard deck using all sorts of pressing techniques and they're not too expensive to make. I made this wood skateboard mold with these plans in mind and by following this article it shouldn't be that difficult for you to make, very time consuming, but not that difficult. Just make sure you have a thorough understanding of how it is done before starting this project. To make this skateboard mold accessible to the novice wood worker while retaining as much accuracy as possible, you will need to print out the three PDF section drawings below. These section drawings have been drawn to scale, meaning that once printed, they will be the same size as the wood mold that you're making. Also, each PDF section drawing represents both the top and bottom of of the wood skateboard mold. The lines in the center are the cut lines, lines that once cut will make up the top and bottom of the wood skateboard mold. Also, to save space and time, PDF section drawings 1 through 3 will be printed twice and used for both sides of the wood skateboard mold not the top and bottom. You will use the PDF section drawing 0 once, for the center 2x8 as seen to the right. Gather all your materials. Start by cutting two 12' long 2x8's into 34" lengths. You will need a total of seven.

Using spray adhesive, glue and center the section drawings onto the 2x8. After you've done both halves, allow the glue to dry overnight to prepare for finishing.

.

Skateboarding began well before the first commercial skateboard came out in Commercial skateboard manufacturing merely made a business out of what those kids were doing. Early skateboards were simple affairs, compared to what is produced today. While the general idea is the same, a considerable amount of technology has gone into improving the decks, trucks and wheels used in their manufacture. The deck of a skateboard is a hand-laid plywood construction. Essentially, making a skateboard deck is the same as any bentwood project, with the exception of its width. Still, there are some modern bentwood pieces which use wide veneers , just like skateboards do. In order to make any skateboard deck, a mold is required. The mold will provide the contour for the deck, including the kicks at the ends. Each style of skateboard requires its own mold, providing the exact contour needed for laminating the veneers together to make the plywood deck.

Making a skateboard mold

Not only is it a fun project, but you can also customize it to your own specifications. Building a skateboard press is a great way to get into skateboarding without spending a lot of money. With a few simple supplies, you can make your own professional-looking boards at home.

Clip art tick

Follow the manufacturers instructions to allow the concrete to cure. Also, each PDF section drawing represents both the top and bottom of of the wood skateboard mold. We work closely with schools to integrate board building programs into the classroom, and help ans… More About Rockitalk ». Start by cutting two 12' long 2x8's into 34" lengths. Repeat until done. You can see the cuts I made on the tail of the deck in this photo. This will ensure a flat and straight profile. Obtain an uncut skateboard deck. Place the box on a level surface. Because the deck is inset into the foam about 1", you will have to extend the top line to the edge to make an even curve. Using spray adhesive, glue and center the section drawings onto the 2x8. Also, to save space and time, PDF section drawings 1 through 3 will be printed twice and used for both sides of the wood skateboard mold not the top and bottom. Do this one piece at a time and try not to remove any wood from the sawn edge. These will allow you to bolt this concrete mold to the press once finished.

CNC milled skateboard mold and longboard mold designs.

You will need a total of seven. Both sides of the mold should look the same Here is the finished mold with nose, tail and concaves shaped uniformly. Here are a few pictures of the pressing and of my final deck. Courtesy of Ted from Roarockit. Now the newest supplier, Drifter Skateboard Manufacturing, really seems to have their stuff together and are quick and professional. Attach them to the finished box. I used a Japanese saw, but a regular saw will do. The curved line represents the cut line. To make this skateboard mold accessible to the novice wood worker while retaining as much accuracy as possible, you will need to print out the three PDF section drawings below. Sand only cross ways across the mold, 90 degrees to the length of the deck to keep the planes flat. This is done by finding the center and measuring out from there.