Unit 2: Sanding of Skateboard (DECK)

The Process

Gluing the Skateboard



Step 1

Gluing the skateboard together was the first step in creating our skateboards. What we did was, we took the eight pieces of sheet maple, which had been precut, and placed them in a pile according to number. The Canadian maple sheets had already been stamped by the manufacturer, which showed us the order they'd be placed (from 1-8). We then placed the first sheet down, and right away put glue on it, we had to do the gluing fast because the super glue we were using dries very fast (within ten minutes). To glue the boards together we used paint rollers (that are for painting walls), and made a thin coat of glue on the sheet. It takes group effort to complete the process of gluing the board; one person had to time the gluing, another person to place the board pieces on top of just glued sheets, and two people to spread the glue on the sheet very fast. After all the gluing and placing of the boards, it should look like one big sheet (8 sheets thick). What we did to keep the boards all in place was, we took an ordinary screw and placed it through one of the eight holes. The screw only fits though, if you have all the board sheets aligned, this is not to important if the screw doesn't go through the board, it is just an extra step to keeping the board aligned.

Vacuum Sealing the Skateboard

Step 2

To vacuum seal the sheets of maple, all the eight sheets of maple must have been glued together, with a screw placed in one of the eight holes (possible step). This step must be done with in the ten minute time period, of gluing the skateboard as well. Take the glued board and place it upon the Styrofoam cutout that comes with the kit. This is used to shape the skateboard. Use two elastics to keep the sheets of maple in place. Also place a piece of fishing net to allow air to be easily sucked out when the air is later removed from the plastic bag. Once these things are attached to your board, place the skateboard neatly into the vacuum sealing bag. In order to close the vacuum sealing bag remove the unsticky strip of tape and make sure that is a good seal and that there is no air bubbles in the tape or air can escape. Close the bag, and take the pump for taking the air out of the bag. Continuously pump the bag, until all the air is sucked out. After one try of getting rid of all the air, pull at the sides of the bag around the skateboard. This will help get rid of any curling of the bag around the sheet pieces and will get rid of trapped air. Pump the bag once more to get rid of all the air. Let the sheets then sit for eight hours or more, so it can form into a skateboard. After set period of time remove the sealing bag, and other attachments to your board, and your skateboard is now complete. Make sure this step two is done within the ten minute period, for sealing the board in the sealing bag, or problem with your board may occur.

Carving the Skateboard

Step 3

To carve the skateboard, I used a sort of cheese grating utensil. This worked very well at removing the wood. To use the grating utensil, i pulled towards me. Make sure that when you use this utensil that you do it at a slow pace because if you rush through it, you may catch a wood piece and splinter your board, which just ruins your finished look. The finished look of the grating of the skateboard should have a smooth edge around the skateboard, with all of the sheets of wood edges being the same length. This step can take some time so don't rush it.

Sanding the Skateboard

(Need Picture)

Step 4

When i started sanding the skateboard i used a low numbered grade of sandpaper, because the lower the grade the harder the grain is, and the higher the grain of sandpaper the smother it is. I started from 60 - 80 - 100 - 120 - 220 - 400 (grade). For each grade i used one whole class length, so 120 minutes on each grade of sandpaper. This step was definitely the longest step of them all, the longer you sand your skateboard the nicer it looks i believe. When i personally got to the level 400 grade of sandpaper, I believe i reached the smoothest i could possibly get teh skateboard too.

My View on the Skateboard Project

I found this unit to be very enjoyable, and neat. The things i found easy were the making of the skateboard and the grating around teh edges of the skateboard. The hardest part would have to be teh sanding, because it took lots of time to reach the finished result, but I'm glad i spent all that time because the end result was a very smooth skateboard. Things that are important to know about this porject was the time it took to glue teh board, you have to be fast, because if you have a problem it can affect the outcome of your board. Also when you grate the edges of teh skateboard, make sure you follow the grain, because if you don't follow it, you'll end up with splintered wood.