Shit yeah, finally! Thanks for tipping me off about this thread, legion. I made my own Polarizer out of an old Krooked and got an actual Heated Wheel Polarizer off Blender a few years ago. Happy to share any info from my obsession with them. I poured over every detail for ages and loved it, figuring out what kind of rollerskate trucks to get, chopping some, buying some sure grips (which are great) and picking up tips from Blender & Hewitt. I dont think it's as precious as I thought, but I was pretty specific with what I wanted and love riding it to this day. It's small enough to chuck in your luggage, too.
What are the pros/cons of roller skate trucks vs small skate trucks? Anyone feel like explaining? These setups are really interesting to me
From my experience, it's a few things. Mainly, the geometry of roller skate trucks is made to work on a tiny wheelbase, and when you stretch that one truck over a skateboard length, magic happens. Deep, rubbery turns that skateboard trucks can't replicate. I've made skinny boards with tiny Trackers and it's completely different. It's also the width, skateboard trucks barely go that skinny to sit under a 6 inch board with big wheels. And finally, the link to the past is a nice touch. It's fun riding something that's a modernised version of the first ever skateboards.
If you want to do a 'Polarizer' kind of board, this is the sweet spot from my research / experience;
Trucks - It's gotta be Rollerskate trucks, its one thing Blender insisted on and they're the best fun. Sure Grip rollerskate trucks work well and can be ordered online, as you've found.
I think I bought the double action hangers with the century baseplates, but these have an 8mm axle with 4.5 inch axle, so it'll fit skateboard bearings & you'll be able to get the wheel nut on properly. I had to use spacers on a 7mm axle & loctite my nuts on.
https://www.skates.com/Sure-Grip-double-action-trucks-Long-Axle-p/pa516tal.htmIf you can find Indy rollerskate trucks and bring yourself to cut them in half, they're ment to be great.
Bushings - Blenders recommendation was Powerdyne Hop Up Kit Bushings all round, or in the front and top rear, with a Bones Medium bottom rear. Never questioned it, and it turns like a dream.
Wheels - Bones Rough Riders & Bones Swiss Super 6. You want this thing to go as fast as possible. Rough Riders grip really well, but also have a good breaking point which is really fun when you're flying on these. Pulling a fast turn in the space of a single parking spot is the best.
Size - 6 inches wide x 27 1/4 Long. Nose and Tail dips are about 2.5 inches long
Wheelbase - I did at about 17 3/4 inches axle to axle, but 18 / 19 might work better. From photos, dudes push them to the tail & nose dips, pretty much.
Mine is a 6 ply, so has a bit of flex, but it's not a tonne more than my fake one. You could cut channels down a few ply if you want more flex.
Oh yeah, and you set it up 'upside down'. I've done them with the concave up and it sucks. With a bit of convex your foot hugs it and you roll into turns. The dipped tail & nose stop you from wanting to lift the wheels. With the concave up, it just feels uncomfortable and tempts you to kickturn which ain't no fun. The feeling of going as fast as you can on such a fast board that can turn on a dime and just going from a long smooth turns into uncomfortably tight turns is the best. Follow Peter Hewitt on Instagram and you'll want one, he's a wizard on em.
I wanna make some more homemade ones, would love to do a fibreglass one.
Here's some current pics
Topic: Tiny Truck Thread (≤7" axle) (Read 18656 times)