The Rails Thread

[myfeetarekillingme]

I’ve had a set of powell rib bones on a 13.625 wb deck for weeks and I didn’t even bother to compare rail size vs wb…. Kinda shocked to read through this and learn they are 14.5” but I haven’t really noticed any issues on any tricks so maybe ignorance is bliss as is usually the case

[streetmeat]

I’ve had a set of powell rib bones on a 13.625 wb deck for weeks and I didn’t even bother to compare rail size vs wb…. Kinda shocked to read through this and learn they are 14.5” but I haven’t really noticed any issues on any tricks so maybe ignorance is bliss as is usually the case

probably not something to actually have a 'madness' over. i do like mine set out a little farther than it seems most people do, added with having very loose trucks, i'll take any little thing to not have them catch wheelbite on the rails themselves

[animalflesh]

He’ll make them shorter too my friend has 13” from him on his 13.75 WB

[GBLange]

i've only used bones and creature rails. other brands readily available in my country would be SC and Enjoi and generic shop rails which i've yet to try.

[streetmeat]

anyone know the best replacement screws? size? i could probably just take my beat ones to the hardware store and match them but figured id ask

[disclosed]

anyone know the best replacement screws? size? i could probably just take my beat ones to the hardware store and match them but figured id ask

i know it in millimeters.
4x12.
tho i prefer the 3.5x12 cause sometimes the stock ones don't fit properly anymore when the holes get kinda squished from wear. or when you get one of those rails where the screws refuse to fit at all for some reason.

[goodatmeth]

What are the thickest rails? My new local mini ramp is so mellow that wheels drag on smith grinds. Currently have those creature glow in the dark rails and they're juuuust not thick enough (10mm) to not make the wheels drag.

Maybe height is the better word? Not sure. I don't mean the width.

[goodatmeth]

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What are the thickest rails? My new local mini ramp is so mellow that wheels drag on smith grinds. Currently have those creature glow in the dark rails and they're juuuust not thick enough (10mm) to not make the wheels drag.

Maybe height is the better word? Not sure. I don't mean the width.

[close]

OJs are the thickest I've seen but briefly looking at the creature rails online, they look the same. Not sure if there are any thicker options  out there.

Seems like no company even mentions the thickness. Might be the case that all rails are 10mm thick

[Frank and Fred]

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What are the thickest rails? My new local mini ramp is so mellow that wheels drag on smith grinds. Currently have those creature glow in the dark rails and they're juuuust not thick enough (10mm) to not make the wheels drag.

Maybe height is the better word? Not sure. I don't mean the width.

[close]

OJs are the thickest I've seen but briefly looking at the creature rails online, they look the same. Not sure if there are any thicker options  out there.

[close]

Seems like no company even mentions the thickness. Might be the case that all rails are 10mm thick

https://radrailz.bigcartel.com/product/big-radrailz I had the 3/4" thick ones (19mm). Way too thick for me....

[goodatmeth]

Expand Quote

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What are the thickest rails? My new local mini ramp is so mellow that wheels drag on smith grinds. Currently have those creature glow in the dark rails and they're juuuust not thick enough (10mm) to not make the wheels drag.

Maybe height is the better word? Not sure. I don't mean the width.

[close]

OJs are the thickest I've seen but briefly looking at the creature rails online, they look the same. Not sure if there are any thicker options  out there.

[close]

Seems like no company even mentions the thickness. Might be the case that all rails are 10mm thick

[close]

https://radrailz.bigcartel.com/product/big-radrailz I had the 3/4" thick ones (19mm). Way too thick for me....

Omg these would be it, if the shipping cost to europe wasn't much more than the product itself. Sick that somebody actually makes those

[animalflesh]

Rib bones are taller, I only use rib bones personally

[Paco Supreme]

Any tips on not snapping screw heads during installation?

I’m using a screw driver and some screws I took from a hardware store instead of the stock ones, still managed to take the head off and pop another one out in the process

[Samsquantch]

Any tips on not snapping screw heads during installation?

I’m using a screw driver and some screws I took from a hardware store instead of the stock ones, still managed to take the head off and pop another one out in the process

Couple weeks old question, but here's what I did that worked excellent:

-Used masking tape to position rails where I wanted them.

-Get a drill bit that's about half the outer diameter of the screws, use the drill to mark the holes by just going in a couple mm.

-Remove the rails and drill the holes you started the rest of the way. I wrap masking tape around the drill bit at a depth that's around ¾ the thickness of the deck so you don't go through by accident.

-No rails yet, take a screw and go a few turns into, and back out of each hole, this will raise a bit of a hump around each hole, sand down the humps, this ensures the rails will sit dead flat on the deck.

-Put the rails on and hand tighten, you won't need so much force and you'll clearly feel the point where they are snug.



Also want to add, I'd never skated rails up until a few weeks ago, and holy shit, these things are a cheat code for boardslides on double sided curbs! So stable, so easy, so fun...

Went with Powell Rib bones.

[disclosed]

i just never had screw heads snap, or heard of it happeneing to any of my friends.

[Paco Supreme]

So just a follow up, I tried a similar method to what was mentioned above, and I snapped a screw head on a flat ground Ollie.

I ran rails for years but I think this is it for me, no more.

[krisdt17]

Been using a drill driver to install rails. No need for pre-drilling holes. Have to take drive the screws slowly. Never had a problem.

[And_so_it_goes22]

So just a follow up, I tried a similar method to what was mentioned above, and I snapped a screw head on a flat ground Ollie.

I ran rails for years but I think this is it for me, no more.

This makes zero sense to me. I don’t understand how a deck rail screw would snap from a flat ground ollie. Are you sure you didn’t overtighten the wood screws on the rails, and then end up stripping the wood? And it then just fell out?  Because that makes sense.   You’re sure it snapped?  You found a broken screw head, or you can see the rest of the screw in your deck?

I think it’s already been said in this thread, but you need to be careful when installing deck rails to not over tighten the wood screws. Or else you will end up stripping the wood and the screws will fall out. That’s why a lot of people advise against using a power drill to install the wood screws. 

[Frank and Fred]

Two sessions on some Slimlines and the front rail is almost worn to the screw. Granted I have been doing nothing but boardslides and feebles on very rugged double siders but still, these rails will not last the life of the deck. Think I've over them anyway. Its probably perceived but the board just feels too bulky to do anything else but skate curbs on. I do want to see if they help smiths on transitions though.

[MongoSwitchIsIllegal]

Only thing I don't like about Lil Jawnz is that they use cheap harbor freight screws... I have bought 3 pairs of Jawnz and I always have 2 screws strip and have had several fall out after a lot of use. The material is great but god they could invest in some non-chinese, discounted, aluminum fragile screws...

Lil Jawnz with Slimeline/HSR screws would be great.

[Xen]

Gotta say, the Welcome candy bars are where it's at, 4 holes, short so no wheelbite issues, good screws and come stock with tape already applied.

[Frank and Fred]

Good to know.  I persevered with my slim lines and I am pretty used to them now, even on steel coping.

[MongoSwitchIsIllegal]

Gotta say, the Welcome candy bars are where it's at, 4 holes, short so no wheelbite issues, good screws and come stock with tape already applied.

Those look sick!! Thanks for showing me them. I can't find them in stock anywhere though.

[disclosed]

I had a little DIY project i wanted to try for a while. Figured i share it here cause it fits the rails discussion and a common issue people experience.

Allways think Rails are too long and wheelbite on em. The 14" are better but theres no good options for those in Europe. so i allways get Rib Bones that last long for me. I have already cut rails down to the screws before but that doesnt change much.

So this time i re-drilled holes in them on one end. Using a 4mm and a 8mm bit. Put a drillstop on the 8mm drill at 5mm so it goes halfway and not straight through.
Then cut them off a fiew millimeter under under the old holes and cut off a little on the other side too. And sanded them down to make the edges a little softer.

They went from 14.5" to 13.5", slightly under even, so now my wheels got some extra space. My next deck will be able to run rails again without much worry i hope.

[Too Frank To Fred]

4th session on some Lil Jawns today and bent one of the rails. It was nice and secure, for sure.

Shan't bother again. Every time I try rails, I tell myself 'last time' but I eventually come back with delusions of hurricane, feeble combos... They have their place but the cons never out weigh the pros for me...

please stop me next time I'm about to screw some plastic into a perfectly good new deck. OG Tom Knox never used 'em.

Until them, I'm going to try and wear these down below the screws.

[BartHarleyJarvis]

4th session on some Lil Jawns today and bent one of the rails. It was nice and secure, for sure.

Shan't bother again. Every time I try rails, I tell myself 'last time' but I eventually come back with delusions of hurricane, feeble combos... They have their place but the cons never out weigh the pros for me...

please stop me next time I'm about to screw some plastic into a perfectly good new deck. OG Tom Knox never used 'em.

Until them, I'm going to try and wear these down below the screws.

I feel like I’m in the minority but lil jawns have always felt really slow/grippy to me. Maybe that helps better skaters with control, but for me they don’t feel much better than slides without rails…

[Too Frank To Fred]

I agree. These Lil' Jawns don't slide as well as SC Slimlines or Rad Railz.

[texasplant]

Has anyone skated Hard Luck rails before? Found some dead stock near me and wondering whether they’re any good or not. I’ve had bad luck snapping heads off screws on similar looking rails before and worried they might be the same thing.

[Eddy Mitchel]

I don't use rails anymore but back in the days I had Schmitt Stix ones and they were quite indestuctible.

[rawbertson.]

Hi friends
I recently started skating in my garage and using my rails again - they are the "OJ Juice Bars" rails
I have had these things for a long time now and they have hit many a session.

I started learning a lot of tricks in my garage on this metal doouble sider over the winter time. I have snapped 2/4 of the rails now, and the 3rd one has a massive crack in it. I think this is because i am coming down really hard on it for kickflip fs board, back lip, etc.

I THINK the solution next time would be to just maybe double up maybe on rails? do you thikn that would help it from cracking as quickly because the load would be more distributed? I cant imagine there are rails much beefier than what i had. I dont feel like it was the gear's fault. I feel like i learn more tricks when i use rails. i learned bs feebles and back lips in my late 30s using rails so i think i should probably use them more... it helped me lock in front boards and siwtch front boards WAY better too. as much as its a baby thing to use, unless you are naturally amazing at skating, maybe it is actually good for people to learn with?

or maybe do i need to just stop being a baby and go faster