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This instructable goes over how to make a round frame from used skateboard decks. For more information you can visit my blog.
Materials:
any number of decks
Twine
Tools:
Drill
Mitre saw
calculator
Materials:
any number of decks
Twine
Tools:
Drill
Mitre saw
calculator
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Signing UpStep 1Design
The first problem is how to make the largest ring possible with the materials that you have, as well as find the angle you will be cutting at. An optimization problem, essentially. To solve you can use the set of formulas below that calculate the length of each side of the trapezoids that make up the ring relative to the number of pieces being used and the radius of the ring. If trigonometry isn't your bag, you can download a spreadsheet from my blog that will do this for you based on your inputs (excel is required).
a=sin(theta/2)*2r
x=tan(theta/2)*8
b=a-2x
(see diagram)
Where theta is 360/number of pieces
If you're decks (or any kind of board) are not 8" wide, you can change the 8 in the formula for x to the desired width.
You have to keep in mind that you can only cut about 12 inches of the middle of the skateboard (within the wheelbase), after that the contour changes and pieces wont fit together uniformly when you put them together. You'll also run into the holes for the trucks.
So, if you're not using the spreadsheet and you want to do it by hand, you have to find out how many pieces you can get out of one skateboard. if you're using 1 piece the total width will be "a" if you're cutting 2 it will be "a+(b+x)" if you're cutting 3 it will be "a+2(b+x)". The pattern is L=a+(n-1)(b+x), where n is the number of pieces.
a=sin(theta/2)*2r
x=tan(theta/2)*8
b=a-2x
(see diagram)
Where theta is 360/number of pieces
If you're decks (or any kind of board) are not 8" wide, you can change the 8 in the formula for x to the desired width.
You have to keep in mind that you can only cut about 12 inches of the middle of the skateboard (within the wheelbase), after that the contour changes and pieces wont fit together uniformly when you put them together. You'll also run into the holes for the trucks.
So, if you're not using the spreadsheet and you want to do it by hand, you have to find out how many pieces you can get out of one skateboard. if you're using 1 piece the total width will be "a" if you're cutting 2 it will be "a+(b+x)" if you're cutting 3 it will be "a+2(b+x)". The pattern is L=a+(n-1)(b+x), where n is the number of pieces.
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I wonder how tactile you could make that by using bungee cord instead...