Making Otang Bushings

**jackal_lantern** · 11-08-2009 04:30 PM

So, I know there are threads out there about how to make bushings from wheels, but hopefully this one is a bit different in that I found some little details that make sure you get a full set of good bushings the first time you do it even though some things may seem like common sense. Also, it is specific to Otang in heats.

What you need:
1) Holesaw (1 1/8")
2) Zip ties (if you don't have vice grips)
3) 3/8 drill bit
4) hack saw
5) belt sander (for those of us without a lathe)
6) Mask (urethane dust is bad stuff)

Step 1: If you don't have vice grips mounted on your work bench, drill two holes that you can loop a zip tie through. the zip tie will go through the wheel and fasten it to the bench while you are drilling. I also used a door stop to keep the wheel from rocking when I was drilling the preliminary hole.

Step 2: Once wheel is fastened, measure 1cm in from the inner wall of the wheel (specific to in heats) and draw a line. This is where the urethane is thickest and it will be the outer edge of your bushing. with the holesaw, drill 1/4 to 1/2 way through the wheel at a medium speed, not forcing the drill too much or the urethane will melt and gunk up your bit.

step 3: take the 3/8 drill bit and drill all the way through the wheel and core in the center hole made by the drill bit of the hole saw. If you try to drill this hole before the holesaw, your bushing may not be centered. If you try to drill it after, it will just spin and not drill through correctly.

Step 4: finish drilling your hole all the way through the core. the section of wheel is now probably stuck in the hole saw and is very hot. Just grab some pliers and twist it out or be a man and twist it out with your fingers.

Step 5: cut the section of core off the urethane with the hacksaw, try it keep it as straight as possible.

Step 6: If you don't have a stationary belt sander, take your hand belt sander and flip it upside down and attach it to your workbench. I used the same hole I put zip ties through to attach the handle of the belt sander securely upside down on the table. This may not work for all sanders, but it does for the crappy chicago brand one I got from harbor freight. turn it on and push in the "hold on" button so you don't have to have one hand on the trigger while you shape the bushings.

Step 7: using a heavy grit, smooth the top and bottom of your barrels. Only hold the bushing on the belt for a couple seconds at most because it is very easy to get lopsided. If you are afraid of losing some skin off your fingertips wear gloves, but it really doesn't hurt that bad if you touch. At this point you can also bevel the edge of your bushings to make cones and all sorts of funny shapes. You may also have to adjust the diameter of your bushing depending on thick your holesaw was. to do this either carefully do it by hand, or put it through a pen or pencil and let it roll on top of the belt until round and smooth.

Step 8: Get out there and ride.

**AFTT** · 11-08-2009 04:34 PM

Why would you do this to a set of wheels when you can just buy some reflex bushings?

**Terrorsathan** · 11-08-2009 04:39 PM

sell me 2 purple otang barrels.

**dozer jr** · 11-08-2009 04:41 PM

how do they feel?

**Bomb303** · 11-08-2009 04:41 PM

you should probably add a respirator as something you would need... inhaling that urethane dust is not good.

**speshlspeclsteak** · 11-08-2009 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by AFTT

Why would you do this to a set of wheels when you can just buy some reflex bushings?

cus wheel bushings are 100x better than anything that just gets poured

**jabobstro** · 11-08-2009 04:44 PM

nooooooooooooooooooooo,not the o-tangs!!

**KCcarvin** · 11-08-2009 04:48 PM

agreed accept I'm a sabre man myself =]

**schmete** · 11-08-2009 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by AFTT

Why would you do this to a set of wheels when you can just buy some reflex bushings?

Because Orangatangs aren't poured with Reflex urethane...

**seabass101dg** · 11-08-2009 05:01 PM

ride those purptangs now O.O

**jackal_lantern** · 11-08-2009 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by AFTT

Why would you do this to a set of wheels when you can just buy some reflex bushings?

My friend blew out the core when his bearing seized. he's giving me two if I make 4 of them.

Originally Posted by Terrorsathan

sell me 2 purple otang barrels.

Send me money$$$$$$$$$

Originally Posted by dozer jr

how do they feel?

have yet to try, but my guess is amazing. Just from squeezing and dropping them they feel so nice, extremely elastic. I'm a heavier guy so I would really like the 86 mangotangs, but I don't think anyones ruined them yet.

Originally Posted by Bomb303

you should probably add a respirator as something you would need... inhaling that urethane dust is not good.

I wasn't just inhaling it, it got in my beer too!

**hoch92000** · 11-08-2009 05:40 PM

I really appreciate your attention to detail. It allows me to fully absorb each and every step such that after reading through only once, I believe I can do this. Very nice. Thank you.

I like your zip tie idea, I have done the same with my belt sander using some clamps.

But, 83a bushings on a 42 plate for a big guy. I hope you like a twitchy ride. And, BTW, FLIP YOUR KINGPIN.

**speshlspeclsteak** · 11-08-2009 05:48 PM

Originally Posted by jackal_lantern

have yet to try, but my guess is amazing. Just from squeezing and dropping them they feel so nice, extremely elastic. I'm a heavier guy so I would really like the 86 mangotangs, but I don't think anyones ruined them yet.

bushings cut from wheels tend to feel a few durometers higher. my cut from wheel bushing collection doesnt go over 83a(original duro) but they feel a bit harder and ride a hell of alot nicer

**jackal_lantern** · 11-08-2009 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by hoch92000

But, 83a bushings on a 42 plate for a big guy. I hope you like a twitchy ride. And, BTW, FLIP YOUR KINGPIN.

I put the 83a's on my 42deg cause I was comparing them to the 90a venoms that I really ride.No excuse for my kingpin.

**rodgon** · 11-08-2009 07:18 PM

you can still use those wheels as not rain wheels but flooooood wheels! ^_^ massive grip during floods. lol

**Bombsquad_Manny** · 11-09-2009 12:45 AM

Doooooope!!!!!
They look sick. Very informative post as well.
Depending on how much we like em i might give yah my flatspotted one too. hehe

Hustle some bushings at UCR lol

**speshlspeclsteak** · 11-09-2009 01:17 AM

Originally Posted by jackal_lantern

I put the 83a's on my 42deg cause I was comparing them to the 90a venoms that I really ride.No excuse for my kingpin.

ive taken my indys with lime reflex stim/barrel combo and my zealous trucks on 1052 plates with 78a venoms to 50+ twitch is in the rider

**jackal_lantern** · 11-09-2009 02:44 AM

Originally Posted by Bombsquad_Manny

Doooooope!!!!!
Hustle some bushings at UCR lol

If I can get otangs from jimmy for 10-12 dollars a wheel or used wheels for less, and that makes one set of bushings, I could probably sell them for 15-17 dollars depending on how good they are....interesting...

**PurrCrabs** · 11-09-2009 03:42 AM

Originally Posted by rodgon

you can still use those wheels as not rain wheels but flooooood wheels! ^_^ massive grip during floods. lol

Throw them on a Neme and the surfs up man!

**luftywaffles** · 11-09-2009 04:16 AM

Originally Posted by speshlspeclsteak

cus wheel bushings are 100x better than anything that just gets poured

AGREED. my karrots are the best thing i've ever ridden by far.

And I don't see why everyone is hating on the OP for doing this...this is a great tutorial, you should definitely make it a sticky either here or in the trucks section perhaps?

Great tutorial man, thanks.