First Build

**PistolPete** · 08-10-2007 12:14 PM

Just finished my first build, also my first longboard. Pretty much the same story as alot of people, I used to skate about 10 years ago (I was terrible), wanted to get back into it but not really interested in tricks, found Silverfish, had epiphany. Before I found this forum it hadn't even occured to me that you could build your own longboard. Anyhow, long story short, I broke out the glass and epoxy and about a week later had my board.
It's a 42"x9" foamcore with glass reinforced plywood hardpoints for the trucks, total weight including trucks and 75a Grippins is 3.2kg. That seems a little high to me(?), but I tend to err on the side of caution and may have used a little too much glass (2xbi-di + 2xuni-di bottom, 2xbi-di 1xuni-di top). Its got some camber, though maybe not as much as it should have, and rather than a convex I gave it a lipped edge, simply because I found it more comfortable to have the middle of the board flat. It's got some flex, but I weigh 90kgs so thats to be expected I suppose. I finished it off with some microballoons followed by some polyester filler and plenty of (wet) sanding down to grade 1000 on the bottom, didn't bother too much with the top as it was getting grip papered anyway. My girlfriend painted it, mainly because I'm whatever the drawing version of tone-deaf is. Got everything mounted up yesterday (I was a bit shocked when I put my Randal baseplates on a flat surface, are they normally so, well, not flat?) and ready to ride. As I tightened the last bolt the heavens opened and it's pretty much pissed it down non-stop since then. Got out for a couple of hours today in the wet and it's more fun than I can describe. Roll on sunshine. Anyway, a huge thanks to everyone on the forum, this is a fantastic resource. The fact that I got every bit of information I needed without having to post a single thread is a testament to that, thanks again. On with the pictures!

Monkeys: Natures' clown

Kicktail probably needs a bit more angle?

**VulgarDisplayCFH** · 08-10-2007 12:24 PM

Wow that is REALLLYYYY cool. Best build I've seen in a while.

**marcus1019** · 08-10-2007 02:01 PM

holy crap that amazing

**Colton** · 08-10-2007 02:25 PM

Looks like it might be a fun topmount. What's the wheelbase?

**PistolPete** · 08-10-2007 02:38 PM

What's the wheelbase?

29 inches inside hole to inside hole

**Osktranot** · 08-10-2007 02:39 PM

Sweet..

Interesting using a lip rather than concave..

**Grahamcrackers** · 08-10-2007 02:45 PM

Congrats on a great build. Bravo

:

**PistolPete** · 08-10-2007 03:16 PM

Thanks alot guys, with a bit of luck it'll survive me learning how to use it!

**johnspurlock** · 08-10-2007 03:34 PM

That is a superb build. Your girlfriend has talent also. Bravo

**Riot-Sebo** · 08-12-2007 12:30 PM

really nice, bravo! awesome design!

**sniffleless** · 08-12-2007 01:29 PM

I love hearing about new builders and their builds. This forum has seemed to have birthed many a new builder. I love it. Just love it.

Foamcore? Fiberglass?
Pretty ambitious for a first build. Looks like you did a great job. You be sure to tell us how it skates and what you build next.

**toki** · 08-12-2007 02:26 PM

one question. do you have any idea what kind of paint she used to make that kickass design?

**PistolPete** · 08-12-2007 04:24 PM

It's quite difficult for me to say whether the ride is good or not as I don't really have a point of comparison being a newcomer to longboarding.

However I've been out about 4 to 5 hours a day since I posted this tread (my legs are absolutely killing me) and it seems very 'solid', maybe a bit too solid for carving/cruising, perhaps better suited for downhill? I think I'm going to start on a new board soon, now I've got a backup I'm less nervous about building an understrength board. The next will probably have a slightly thicker core (8mm on the one I'm riding now), with a more gently sloped, lower lip to the edge and more uni-directional glass and camber for more flex. Having said that I'm having an absolute blast on this board, although the area I'm in is mostly 'older' people so I get alot of 'tuts' while riding.

As far as the paint goes, despite being in Germany, my German is nicht sehr gut. I think it's an acrylic laquer with an artificial resin base. Here's a pic if anyone with better language skills than me can elaborate...

Take it easy

**jspats40** · 08-12-2007 09:28 PM

i just have to tell you that your first board is quite amazing. i would really like to know what you used to make it.

**scratch** · 08-12-2007 09:55 PM

That is very sexy! Nice work!

**samhell** · 08-12-2007 10:48 PM

Beautiful work!

**toki** · 08-13-2007 11:08 AM

wierd when i used acrylic it scratched off. maybe it was the type of acrylic i used

**Ian** · 08-13-2007 12:19 PM

Wow that's amazing. I can't believe it's your first build.

**wombat boarder** · 08-13-2007 12:54 PM

real good first (or any) build
very impressive

**his415** · 08-13-2007 03:34 PM

Originally Posted by PistolPete

Just finished my first build, also my first longboard. Pretty much the same story as alot of people, I used to skate about 10 years ago (I was terrible), wanted to get back into it but not really interested in tricks, found Silverfish, had epiphany. Before I found this forum it hadn't even occured to me that you could build your own longboard. Anyhow, long story short, I broke out the glass and epoxy and about a week later had my board.
It's a 42"x9" foamcore with glass reinforced plywood hardpoints for the trucks, total weight including trucks and 75a Grippins is 3.2kg. That seems a little high to me(?), but I tend to err on the side of caution and may have used a little too much glass (2xbi-di + 2xuni-di bottom, 2xbi-di 1xuni-di top). Its got some camber, though maybe not as much as it should have, and rather than a convex I gave it a lipped edge, simply because I found it more comfortable to have the middle of the board flat. It's got some flex, but I weigh 90kgs so thats to be expected I suppose. I finished it off with some microballoons followed by some polyester filler and plenty of (wet) sanding down to grade 1000 on the bottom, didn't bother too much with the top as it was getting grip papered anyway. My girlfriend painted it, mainly because I'm whatever the drawing version of tone-deaf is. Got everything mounted up yesterday (I was a bit shocked when I put my Randal baseplates on a flat surface, are they normally so, well, not flat?) and ready to ride. As I tightened the last bolt the heavens opened and it's pretty much pissed it down non-stop since then. Got out for a couple of hours today in the wet and it's more fun than I can describe. Roll on sunshine. Anyway, a huge thanks to everyone on the forum, this is a fantastic resource. The fact that I got every bit of information I needed without having to post a single thread is a testament to that, thanks again. On with the pictures!

That is a true work of art!

Beautiful!

Post some pics when you grip it! would love to see some sweet grip!