New speedboard design - the "Spade"

[ckpcw]

Hi all, been a while since I built any boards, but I just scored a free vacuum pump yesterday and I'm eager to get a legit build going.

I've recently switched from a Nemesis to a topmount, and though I love the feel of the topmount ride, I do miss the locked in feeling, especially in the rear, of the nemmy.

I drew a lot of design elements from other boards, and I've come up with a type of deck I've never seen before - dropped rear and rockered front. It has been designed so that the trucks sit an the same height, meaning the midpoint between the oldschool mounting holes is the same height. I don't like boards with a ton of wedging, because I figure you can alter the truck setup easier than the board. The Spade has a mild 3.5* wedge to the front and a flat rear, more as a result of the rocker than for wedging effects.


Only the rear truck is adjusted for wheelbase tweaks - the rocker is designed for a single front mount point. Planning on some W-cave, 5/8" or so parabolic concave (fancy!) and maybe even a roland-ripoff asymmetrical toeside rail.

The shape is nothing special - admittedly it's just about a clone of many other boards. I made a similarly shaped topmount a few years ago, but due to old Titebond III, it delam'ed instantly. Always wanted to redo it, but a flat deck with concave is too boring for my fancy new vacuum.


I talked to my back foot and he says he'll feel locked with the W & drop (killswitch ripoff?!), and my front foot digs the idea of a comfy rocker (voodoo ripoff!?).
Ever seen a board like this?

[swisschez]

sounds like a goddamn awesome board

[oldnbroken]

I like it..............ALOT.
Great idea, good design.
Move forward with this one.
If you press them well you could sell a bunch and make some happy riders.

[Griff223]

looks awesome! Its an odd coincidence, I know a girl named Kestrel.

[snozzboarder55]

i wonder how the lean properties are on a deck like that. hammock lean in back and a standard lean in front? weird.

either way its a sick design with really cool features. hope it works out!

[ckpcw]

i wonder how the lean properties are on a deck like that. hammock lean in back and a standard lean in front? weird.

either way its a sick design with really cool features. hope it works out!

I was actually discussing this with a friend.. and I don't think the board will have "hammock lean" in the back (thats actually a great term for it!)

The deck will be around a half inch or more thick and the drop is only 3/8", so the truck will still be mounted slightly under the height of the standing platform. Provided that the deck is sufficiently stiff (I'm planning on using fiberglass), I expect the rear lean to be topmount-like, similar to a that of a thin aluminum topmount or a flush-baseplate topmount. IME aluminum topmounts ride the same as their thicker counterparts (ride height aside), although I have limited experience on them.

EDIT: Not sure If I was clear there, but check it out: Look at the side-profile picture, and imagine that the deck is a thin aluminum topmount with wood blocks glued on. In the back section, the blocks are glued on top, and in the center, glued on bottom. Still rides like a topmount, right? That's how I'm imagining this to feel.

The goal of this board is create a seriously locked-in and low ride without sacrificing ANY topmount ride qualities.

[loserplayer]

interested
produce produce produce
i want one!!!

[snozzboarder55]

I was actually discussing this with a friend.. and I don't think the board will have "hammock lean" in the back (thats actually a great term for it!)

The deck will be around a half inch or more thick and the drop is only 3/8", so the truck will still be mounted slightly under the height of the standing platform. Provided that the deck is sufficiently stiff (I'm planning on using fiberglass), I expect the rear lean to be topmount-like, similar to a that of a thin aluminum topmount or a flush-baseplate topmount. IME aluminum topmounts ride the same as their thicker counterparts (ride height aside), although I have limited experience on them.

The goal of this board is create a seriously locked-in and low ride without sacrificing ANY topmount ride qualities.

i think you are right about the drop. only 3/8" probably wont give that hammock effect like an evo. if anything you are making a "foot pocket" like a killswitch, which is what you were going for right? i cant wait to see a finished model with pics of the drop n such, sounds like you are going to have fun making this!

[Frankyjobob]

I'd buy one.

[vince-t]

man it looks sick

[SoloRider]

I've actually been talking to the guy the rode Maryhill for me about something kind of similar for the spring. Same in the back and a little different in the front, but the concept is pretty much the same. I think it's a pretty sound design and if you're going for it I'm really interested to hear how the ride works for you.

[spoctopus]

thats awesome, i love the feeling of a low drop deck, plus foot stop in the back for slides is great
i was thinking of a design for a board with 1/2inch drop and a 1/2-1inch rocker, the only problem with drop decks is some people think the wb is to big

[couch]

That looks like it might be a great deck.

[ckpcw]

I'm glad you guys like it!

Hoping to get a few all-wood protos done this weekend so we can begin the thrash testing

[shorncliffe longboarder]

coolios dude

[cawlin]

I like people making new concepts for boards. This is good for the sport.
I hope it works man.

[AATTYYRR]

dude, that sounds effin' epic!
do it!

[ckpcw]

Holy ####. It's 4am, just got the foam mold all finished. Finally got my hot wire cutter dialed in so that it makes nice smooth cuts without burning. I'm stoked with how it came out.

First, sleep. Then, press.

[Happytime]

Awesome Idea
Subscribed.

[Dimm]

Just because a board uses w concave, rocker, or drop doesn't make it a ripoff of something.