Anyone ever made their own ATB? Like maybe from an old skateboard or somthing. I havent found much online but have a few old decks and trucks laying around and thought it may be somthing good to make to learn on.

Here's a link to a build it yourself mountain board - it appears to be using a regular skate deck -

http://www.geocities.com/reystos/mountainboard/

I'm trying to find an old site I saw a while back that showed how to laminate wood for the board itself - these boards are usually very flexible to accommodate the stresses of bouncing up and down on them repeatedly without snapping the deck in half.

I have one you can use for pattern / practice.
its the same no name board goldendmd has in his Avatar pic

I got it before I realizedI CANT RIDE A BOARD WORTH 2 CENT

I think Im going to take my trucks to harborfreight and see what Im going to need to make the wheels work on em. Aslong as I can figure that out I think this plan will move forward :evil:

If it fails miserably Ill call you up nick...lol.

Here's a link to all kinds of good stuff to know. Scroll down a little bit to find the one on building a board.

http://www.racekites.com/howto/howto.asp

Found it - if your interested in going the whole nine yards and making a deck as well this shows one technique of doing so -

http://www.racekites.com/reviews/getReview.asp?reviewID=653

you can also make a jig instead of the "former" and use the same steps in laminating one layer on top of another. - I've included a rough sketch of this - just an idea - haven't done it myself but it could work.

Perfect. Thanks guys. That link is very helpful

get some solid wheels/hubs build from the 12mm axle size saves you a mountain of headaches , the first board i used the one my daughter is on in the avatar. i think i paid maybe 60.00 for it taught me alot, the bearings were low speed the would only last 10-15 hrs before they got really sloppy even less if they got wet.. ebay extreme bargains, it will get you going and the trucks are steel indestructable. the crappy bearings made it slow and draggy but at first it helps as you develop board control and balance. 8" rubber lawn mower tires w/1/2 inch hubs worked nice, as the tires went flat and wanted faster/ dependable ride.
good luck

The form is a good idea but I'd like to add some thoughts on it.

First in order to get the plywood pieces the same make a master template out of plywood, mdf, or what ever.

-attatch the template to your plywood stock with double sided carpet tape.(don't need a whole lot)
-cut the plywood to shape just outside the template.
-install a flush trim bit in a router and run the bearing of the bit along the template.

Do that whole thing twice and you'll have two identical form pieces.


Also, after you attach the crossbeams and before you screw the top sheet of plywood down, check the form for square. If it's not the boards you make will have a twist.

Last, for clamping, I'd drill holes in the 3/4" plywood to accept the clamps rather than overhang the top sheet of plywood. It won't flex and will give you more control over the clamping pressure. On that note, don't clamp straight to the laminations...use caul's to go across the laminations that way you get a nice even pressure. If you're interested and you have any questions send me a U2U and I'll give you my phone number. Hell, if your not in a hurry to build it (I'm kinda busy the next couple weeks) I can help you build it if you'd like. I'm no expert at making boards, but I used to make traditional bows and a lot of the principals are the same.

Clint