homemade wedged risers?

**bradjones007** · 06-19-2006 11:48 PM

So I'm thinking about making a shlong out of my sister's old flipper. Obviously I'll need to wedge the trucks to maintain the angle. Has anyone ever made their own wedged risers? In theory it's just a matter of a few cuts on the miter saw (brand new from Lowes...Happy Father's Day!). I'm not sure what kind of wood to use...scrap 2x4, composite shims, scrap birch from my last homemade board?

Just some thoughts beforehand: I don't think composite shims are strong enough. Super cool for windows, but don't feel like they could take a beating. I'm leaning towards the birch scraps from my last homemade board. The plies should be strong enough. However, a 2x2 is one piece and should be stronger, right?

Also, maybe I'm just wasting my time - riser packs aren't exactly expensive. (But that goes completely against the whole philosophy of shlongboards!) If I end up buying the risers I would probably need something hard to keep the angle as opposed to soft to smooth the ride.

Any thoughts would be great. I'll let you guys know how it turns out. And yes...I own a digital camera. I will post pics if requested. (How many times do people ask questions and NOT post pics!)

I thought about putting this in the board building section as it's all about homemade stuff, but in the end decided risers were more relevent to trucks than board building.

**Astronomical** · 06-20-2006 12:09 AM

I dunno, I only dewedged the back of my shlong with a couple of plumbing washers of some sort and that worked ok.

You really only need to dewedge the front a bit while the back needs some serious work.

**Momona Boe** · 06-20-2006 05:57 AM

Homemade wedges rule! We use up a lot of bamboo scraps making risers - flat and wedges.

Easiest way to make a wedge is with a belt sander - wear gloves!

**Directive0** · 06-20-2006 06:58 AM

Wood risers are my fave. Absorb vibrations better then plastic, but don't deform as much as rubber ones!

Hey Boe, you should sell Boo wedges! I'd buy some, that'd be pimp.

**Momona Boe** · 06-20-2006 08:23 AM

Are you going to Ottawa race?

I'll bring a set for ya'

**Directive0** · 06-20-2006 08:30 AM

SWEEEEEET! Thanks man! I'll trade you for some'n cool

**bradjones007** · 06-20-2006 09:51 AM

@ D0: What do you make yours out of?

@ Momona Boe: Mahalo a o 'oe no ka pane. I don't have access to a belt sander. Can I still get by with the miter saw and table saw? (Obviously I need to just try it, but I'm at work and...well...who wants to work?)

**Directive0** · 06-20-2006 10:06 AM

I haven't made wedges, but Ive made some standard risers and tried other peoples. They just rule, no rattle, no squish.

**Momona Boe** · 06-20-2006 10:56 AM

Brad Brah!

You CAN do the mitre box thing - it's just gonna be a bit of a pain. Make sure you clamp the mitre box down AND the wood to the box.

2x2 's are typically pine which is prone to splitting at the thin end. I'd go with your leftover birch ply

**Stupendous Man** · 06-20-2006 11:30 AM

Disc or belt sanders would be the easiest way, but either of your saws should work fine. On the same lines as home-made things, I have found that leather makes The Best shock pads for dampening vibrations. Like from an old tool belt or whatever you can find.

**bradjones007** · 06-20-2006 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by Momona Boe

You CAN do the mitre box thing - it's just gonna be a bit of a pain. Make sure you clamp the mitre box down AND the wood to the box.

I don't use miter boxes - just the compund miter saw (chop saw). That way I get good angles.

**Timy567** · 06-20-2006 01:44 PM

A while ago I tried to make a wedge on a chop saw. The wood i was cutting wasnt as wide as the bars that hold the wood from being sucked back with the blade . . . didn't turn out well. Pretty stupid of me.

**bradjones007** · 06-20-2006 10:42 PM

Originally Posted by Timy567

A while ago I tried to make a wedge on a chop saw. The wood i was cutting wasnt as wide as the bars that hold the wood from being sucked back with the blade . . . didn't turn out well. Pretty stupid of me.

Good point...maybe the table saw would work better, as it came with a miter guard. All I'd have to do is set the angle and go.

**jeffb** · 06-20-2006 11:42 PM

I've made a couple out of UHMW with this thing
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...884,42924&ap=1
works well. Kinda expensive just for cutting risers but if you've got other uses for it it's a well made tool.