This summary of the video was created by an AI. It might contain some inaccuracies.
00:00:00 – 00:29:33
The video, led by Johnny Manik from Attic Skates, thoroughly explores the detailed, hands-on process of crafting high-quality skateboards from scratch, typically in a DIY setting. Johnny covers essential steps from selecting and arranging veneers—emphasizing core and face plies to achieve the desired stiffness and concavity—to the application of adhesive and pressing with hydraulic presses. The video also delves into the creative problem-solving required during the COVID-19 pandemic, where Johnny repurposed materials to build necessary components and tools.
The process involves creating molds using various materials, marking precise center lines, trimming excess material, and ensuring proper alignment. The video also highlights cutting and shaping techniques, including the use of a "career Ender" machine and an edge router designed with CAD and 3D printing, to achieve the perfect skateboard shape and beveled edges. A significant portion of the discussion is dedicated to sanding and finishing, with references to historical figures like Steve Rocco for context.
Further, the importance of aesthetics versus structural integrity is discussed, debunking the myth that colored veneers affect performance. Each board gets a personalized touch with unique spray paint jobs and clear coatings before final screen printing. The final parts of the video cover a DIY screen printing setup, showcasing resourcefulness in creating tools from repurposed materials and using water-based ink for efficient printing. The overall theme emphasizes a passion for craftsmanship, innovative problem-solving, and encouraging viewers to learn and persist through challenges using online resources.
00:00:00
In this part of the video, Johnny Manik from Attic Skates introduces himself and shares his passion for making skateboards in his backyard. He explains the initial state of skateboards as veneers, which are thin, 16th of an inch layers of wood. Johnny details the construction process, emphasizing the importance of face plies, core plies, and the arrangement of long and cross grains to achieve the desired stiffness and concavity. He also touches on the sourcing of the veneers, which are specially dyed and cut for skateboards. The video then moves on to the gluing process, where Johnny demonstrates the use of a glue roller to apply adhesive between the layers efficiently.
00:03:00
In this part of the video, the speaker explains the process of applying glue and pressing skateboard decks. They demonstrate rolling glue onto the roller and applying it to the board’s sides, then discuss the importance of precise gluing to avoid excessively wide decks. They describe creating a concrete mold by encasing a board and pouring concrete, which allowed them to replicate the skateboard shape. They emphasize the use of 20-ton car jacks in a hydraulic press, applying significant pressure to press four boards simultaneously. The glue used is a common wood glue, PVA (polyvinyl acetate), available at hardware stores. The speaker notes the transition from using a wooden press, which frequently required repairs, to a more reliable metal press for producing skateboard decks.
00:06:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses how they innovatively reused materials to create skateboard components during the COVID-19 shutdown. They couldn’t access hardware stores, so they repurposed items like a 4×6 piece of lumber and skateboard cutoffs to make key parts, including screens for printing. They constructed these screens from scratch using items like shoelaces and a hand staple gun, applying photo emulsion and exposing it to sunlight to develop stencils. Additionally, they explain the board pressing process, highlighting the importance of allowing sufficient drying time to ensure the boards are stiff and free from moisture, which prevents them from becoming soggy. The segment also touches on how high production pressures in larger facilities can result in inferior product quality and stresses the importance of understanding these variables when evaluating skateboard brands. The entire setup was created using scrap wood and materials from a dismantled skateboard ramp due to limitations during the pandemic.
00:09:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker describes their process of making skateboard molds and pressing boards. They discuss buying shop presses from a hardware store, and sourcing or creating molds. One mold was created using styrofoam negatives cut by a CNC machine, which were then used to pour concrete molds. The speaker reveals that they have around ten different molds for various board types. These molds include features for street and pool boards, with different concave shapes and lengths to suit different riders and styles.
The process includes marking the center line on the boards while they are still inside the press to ensure proper alignment. This is crucial to avoid misaligned boards, which can happen when the nose, tail, or concave isn’t centered correctly. Additionally, the speaker mentions the challenges with heavier boards, such as glue between veneers and tool wear. Finally, they describe the importance of precise hole drilling for hardware installation once the boards have cured.
00:12:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the process of setting up a center line on a mold and describes how they use a hammer and chisel to align it accurately. They highlight the importance of time efficiency learned from experience. A machinist friend created a jig to ensure the molds are always straight. The speaker measures the template based on the wheelbase, nose, and tail dimensions of the skateboard. They use a center line method and a spring-loaded punch to mark where holes should be drilled, a significant upgrade from using a hammer. They also explain their transition from using a jigsaw and pencil to creating shaping templates from particle board, showing a more efficient way to replicate skateboard designs without the need for constant measuring.
00:15:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker talks about the process of trimming and cutting a board using a template and various tools. They start by trimming off the excess material from the board to prepare it for further processing. The uncut board is then put through a machine referred to as the “career Ender,” which shapes the board based on the template. This machine uses a bearing that rolls on the template to cut the board accurately. Although the board’s shape becomes perfect, it still lacks a beveled edge, which is then created using an edge router. The speaker mentions that manually using the router led to carpal tunnel issues, so they mounted it for ease of use. The edge router is described as having a design inspired by a friend and created using CAD and 3D printing. It helps achieve a smooth, rounded edge on the board.
00:18:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the process of sanding, emphasizing safety by warning about sharp edges. They explain the use of a flap sander, a woodworking tool, to finesse the edges of skateboard components, attributing its origins to furniture making. They share historical context about skateboard manufacturing, mentioning Steve Rocco’s transition from furniture to skateboard production. The speaker expresses a commitment to detail, aiming to create skateboards that are artistic and of high quality, appreciated by those who ride them.
00:21:00
In this part of the video, the speakers discuss the intricacies of skateboard manufacturing, specifically focusing on the misconception about veneers. They explain that some people mistakenly believe that boards without colored veneers in the middle are inferior, which is untrue. One speaker shares his experience working at a skateboard company where the owner refused to use colored veneers because soaking wood in dye can weaken it. They emphasize that colored veneers are purely aesthetic and don’t affect performance.
They also talk about the personalized approach taken in their current skateboard manufacturing process. Each board gets a unique spray paint job before screen printing, which adds a special personal touch for the consumer. The speaker details the importance of clear coating the board to seal and protect the wood, and the process involves letting it dry and sanding it lightly to smooth out the surface for the final screen printing. This part highlights the artistry and detailed craftsmanship involved in creating high-quality skateboards.
00:24:00
In this part of the video, the speaker describes a DIY screen printing setup created from repurposed materials, including ramp scraps, plywood, chunks of two-by-fours, and old skateboard hardware. He mentions learning the process from online research and other DIY makers, underscoring the potential of YouTube as a learning resource. The setup includes homemade squeegees tailored to fit the concave shape of skateboards, and clamps bought for just $10. The speaker explains the process of centering the screen and using water-based ink, specifically Speedball, for printing. He demonstrates the printing technique, including the initial flooding of the stencil with ink and the subsequent pull to create the print. He highlights the efficiency of printing on wood, which requires only one pass compared to multiple passes needed for fabric due to its absorbent fibers.
00:27:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the intricacies of screen printing, emphasizing the importance of centering the design and adjusting for graphics that are not perfect circles or straight lines. They demonstrate the process, mentioning that each print is unique and pointing out that mistakes are part of learning. The segment concludes with gratitude towards Johnny for the demonstration, encouraging viewers to follow them on social media, and inspiring viewers to utilize online resources to learn new skills. Additionally, there’s a message of motivation to persist despite challenges and an invitation to engage with the video content by subscribing, liking, and commenting.