Eric Richardson has been a technician at the Hawk Makerspace since its earliest days and has since taught countless makers how to use our amazing equipment. His most recent undertaking is a woodshop class unlike any other: how to build a skateboard deck from SCRATCH! This is what he had to say about it:

Why did you choose to program a skateboard building class, and what could something like this provide to the community?

I was trying to think of something that could be done with a parent and a teenager together.  The idea of doing a woodworking project that they would both was the inspiration.  In addition, I thought that learning to laminate a skateboard, shape it, and then add some graphics would be rewarding.

Could you walk me through the preparation process for the class? What all went into the prep, and what can students expect to be learning and doing in the class in order to create their boards?

Preparation for the class required the making of the form that the shape of the skateboard would be made from.  The forms and the press became a challenge for me!  Luckily the skateboarding community had the answers.  I used a free browser-based software to create the 3D file for the skateboard forms.  I then used the CNC Router (Shop Bot) to cut the forms from blocks of wood that I made from 2x4s’. 

Students will laminate veneers that are designed for making a skateboard in the forms that were made on the CNC router.  The skateboard veneer is available in sets of a sanded top and bottom, 3 cores and 2 cross ply pieces per set.  All 7 pieces have waterproof glue applied and then the skateboard is pressed in the form.  Once the glue is set a pattern is applied to the skateboard shape and then the skateboard is cutout out using a combination of the bandsaw and sanding.  Holes are then made for the trucks.  A custom vinyl sticker, and custom cut grip tape is then applied.

What are you most excited about in terms of teaching the class?

A chance to share my excitement of learning new things.