Cindrich Aluminum Longboards – A New Breed of Board
Dave Cindrich is the new breed of board builder. He uses some of the most advanced technology and equipment to craft his creations. Before that, however, his ideas have developed from lots of late nights at the shop, and a love for longboarding. The finished products that Cindrich produces surely turn a head or two. Dave’s boards have received hundreds upon thousands of comments, views, and acclaims from people that have stumbled, and came to a jaw dropping, screeching halt after viewing his product on longboarding based websites.
“…I enjoy thinking about how to do this or that, or what kind of material I could use to make a board that nobody else has or does. I like to take my involvement with cars and engineering and use that to make longboards that everywhere you go people look and say wow, that's cool.”
Peter J Weinrauch: Who are you and where did you come from?
Dave Cindrich: I've grown up in Provo, Utah most of my life. I lived in southern California for two years as a missionary for my church. I now live in Orem, Utah, which is basically the same city as Provo. I got married a few years ago to a girl from Austin Texas, and we have no kids at the moment, only three plants.
[PJ] What is your career? Does this career match up with your educational studies?
[DC] I went to UVSC for a few years, to study manufacturing engineering, but dropped out after the school dropped the program. I've been working for my brother in law for about 14 years building Cobra replicas. If anyone is interested in cars, go have a look at kirkhammotorsports.com … you will like what you see.
[PJ] Why do you take the time to create custom longboards and longboard accessories?
[DC] I love to make cool things, be original and unique. I also want to start my own small business doing this. I enjoy thinking about how to do this or that, or what can I use to make a board that nobody else has or does. I like to take my involvement with cars and engineering and use that to make longboards that everywhere you go people look and say wow, that's cool.
[PJ] Describe your involvement in skateboarding from the past to the present… How did you get to this point? (Making boards)
[DC] I have enjoyed longboarding for quite a few years now. I had some friends in high school that had longboards, then after my two-year mission for my church, I had the idea to make a clear longboard. I went and bought some plastic and cut the shape out, drilled holes and bolted some trucks on it and the moment I stood on it, it flexed to the floor, and I realized I had a problem. I was determined to make something that worked and was clear like I had envisioned. I experimented with a few things and after a few different prototypes.
I eventually came up with a design that I think was really innovative, and worked really well. It was expensive though. I made five of those boards, and tried selling them. I sold three of them and kept two for myself. I love those boards; they are the toughest boards on the market in my opinion.
After a few years of not making boards, or messing with them, I had the chance to learn how to use Solidworks, and Surfcam, two programs that are used to run the CNC machines we have here at the shop. One day I had the Idea to make a billet aluminum board, so I did. The economy had tanked and it gave me the time and the opportunity to use the machines. Without giving away any of your secrets, can you tell us about some of the machines, materials, and devices that you use to make your highly detailed boards?
I use a CNC Haas milling center, and an Omax water jet to make my boards. I also use a lathe to turn the axles I make for my trucks. I use 17-4 stainless steel for the axles, as it’s the best material to use in my opinion. My boards are cut from 1/2 inch 6061 t6 aluminum extrusion, and the wings of my three piece design are cut from 3/16 sheet aluminum on the water jet. Once cut out I will take each board and hand sand it and make it look nice. If you wanted the wings of the three piece polished there is much more involvement in that process… but after sanding and polishing car after car, I have a pretty good idea, and lots of experience of how to do it.
[PJ] How does it feel to have thousands of people looking at your creations?
[DC] I love to hear people comment about my boards. It is what drives me forward, and will keep me going in the future
[PJ] Did you ever imagine such a great reaction to the boards and trucks that you make?
[DC] Not really. I made the first board, and everyone around the shop, even those who have never longboarded saw it and said it was really cool looking, they encouraged me to make more and try and sell them on eBay.
[PJ] Do you feel that independent operations have an impact on larger companies manufacturing?
[DC] I hope so! I like to see things change up a little. Most places come out with a "new board" and really it’s the same thing as before, it just has a different graphic on it. The materials haven’t really changed much. I know some are starting to use composites, and stuff like that, and I think it is pretty cool. I'd like to do an aluminum and carbon fiber board some day.
[PJ] In your eyes, what are the advantages of ordering custom “one-off” products versus one that is that duplicated thousands of times over?
[DC] Well I hope to make it big enough that my boards will be produced thousands of times over, but who knows. If I ever get that big, it will give me more time to come up with more crazy designs and push the industry a little further along. But it is cool to stay smaller, and for those of my current customers, they have the privilege of having the only board of its kind amongst their friends.
[PJ] What do you see in the future for your independent operation?
[DC] I have no idea. I will have to see where the wind will take me.
[PJ] Any shout outs, words of wisdom, or comments that you would like to make?
[DC] I want to say thanks to my wife for putting up with all the late nights, and low income as a result of me working less and spending more time making boards. Also to my boss/brother in-law for allowing me to use his machines, and programs to do what I love doing.
[PJ] Words of Wisdom!
I would say to all… stay clean and do what is right, and be happy with what you have. Don't let your dreams fall apart, just be patient and work hard.
-Dave Cindrich
You can see more of the full layout / interview here at http://web.me.com/surfrodz/Site_9/Our_World.html