POLARIZER THREAD (60s/70s style boards)

[Anxiety]

Heated wheel brand wheels are great but rough riders are superior

And I don’t like buying anything made by Powell so I really mean that

[MiltToad]

I’ve made a few now here’s some pics

[MiltToad]

In my limited experience ive been using roller skate wheels on various trucks because the back is flush with the bearing. Otherwise it looked like it would be too tight and might bite the hangar by the bushings.  The new suregrips I bought were pretty poor quality and not evenly cast on the axle.

[boneless900]

Rough riders are really awesome. If anyone is looking for some, you can get a set from skateone for ~$35 shipped with the sale going on.

After trying lots of bushing combos, I ended up with soft bones on bottom and top bont cones (78a noseside and 83a tailside). Feels really great and my only other gear madness is considering the BONT barrel bottoms rather than the soft bones.

[BartHarleyJarvis]

I’m back with my MPI follow up. Pulled the trigger on the 29” pointy nose complete for $40, total ended up being $43 dollars shipped.




The board is two fiberglass plies around a middle wood ply. Came with the terrible MPI “grip” that’s basically just textured plastic. Pulled that off and added some stripes of spare mob I had lying around, I think it works with the yellow top ply. Total banana board status.



The penny board truck bushings are more or less plastic, absolutely zero give or turn. I swapped in these Indy bushings I had and it totally unlocked the board. The wheels are 59mm 78a and also feel super plasticky, so that would be my next swap but they’re grippy *enough* for now.

The deck definitely has a bit of flex for me at 200lb. I’m sure not as much as a fiber rider, but I can pump out of turns and get a little bit of speed it feels like compared to my polarizer deck. I actually like the shape and flat concave a bit more than my polarizer maybe, will need to keep riding it. Can totally understand people who bought fiber riders and don’t want to go back…

For me, this thing is totally worth the $40. I’ve got some good alleyways around my place so it’s perfect for liquor store runs. I think it’s a good gateway drug to polarizing *IF* people know that at minimum they need to swap the truck bushings. I could definitely see myself upgrading the wheels or even eventually the deck and setting up a full fiber rider but for now I totally plan to rip around on this thing.

[Texas_Tone]

I’m back with my MPI follow up. Pulled the trigger on the 29” pointy nose complete for $40, total ended up being $43 dollars shipped.




The board is two fiberglass plies around a middle wood ply. Came with the terrible MPI “grip” that’s basically just textured plastic. Pulled that off and added some stripes of spare mob I had lying around, I think it works with the yellow top ply. Total banana board status.



The penny board truck bushings are more or less plastic, absolutely zero give or turn. I swapped in these Indy bushings I had and it totally unlocked the board. The wheels are 59mm 78a and also feel super plasticky, so that would be my next swap but they’re grippy *enough* for now.

The deck definitely has a bit of flex for me at 200lb. I’m sure not as much as a fiber rider, but I can pump out of turns and get a little bit of speed it feels like compared to my polarizer deck. I actually like the shape and flat concave a bit more than my polarizer maybe, will need to keep riding it. Can totally understand people who bought fiber riders and don’t want to go back…

For me, this thing is totally worth the $40. I’ve got some good alleyways around my place so it’s perfect for liquor store runs. I think it’s a good gateway drug to polarizing *IF* people know that at minimum they need to swap the truck bushings. I could definitely see myself upgrading the wheels or even eventually the deck and setting up a full fiber rider but for now I totally plan to rip around on this thing.

Dude the grip job looks sick and thanks for the follow up, those trucks don’t look half bad and that’s dope you got some fun out of it, I’m in the camp of spending 40 bucks for a couple hours of enjoyment is totally worth it, so cool there is so many options for people to get going!!

[MiltToad]

I’ve been eyeing those fiber glass mpi boards good to know, like 15 bucks sounds justifiable. I saw a lot of 20+ all yellow unbranded boards on eBay but this listing disappeared hope they pop up again. 

[BartHarleyJarvis]

I’ve been eyeing those fiber glass mpi boards good to know, like 15 bucks sounds justifiable. I saw a lot of 20+ all yellow unbranded boards on eBay but this listing disappeared hope they pop up again.

https://tgmskateboards.com/vintage-nos-1970s-mpi-old-school-skateboard-complete-fiberglass-29-pointed-nose/

TGM has the completes and the decks by themselves all in stock. Free shipping for the completes.

[Frank and Fred]

Expand Quote

I’ve been eyeing those fiber glass mpi boards good to know, like 15 bucks sounds justifiable. I saw a lot of 20+ all yellow unbranded boards on eBay but this listing disappeared hope they pop up again.

[close]

https://tgmskateboards.com/vintage-nos-1970s-mpi-old-school-skateboard-complete-fiberglass-29-pointed-nose/

TGM has the completes and the decks by themselves all in stock. Free shipping for the completes.

What's the story with those decks? Where did they find them and why are they now on sale...? Hard not to pick up the deck for that price....

[fernando the skater]

An old Road Rider slalom deck that I've shortened. Bit of flex and slight rocker.
ACS 430 trucks
OJ 55mm, 78a mini juice. I've got the newer radial edge ones as well which I'm thinking of swapping to.

[Steve Kranger]

Been lurking for too long and I had to make one. I couldn’t stand seeing extra parts sitting around in my garage. Chopping the trucks was a total PITA but I’m really happy with how they came out. The deck shape was really fun to make and I ended up keeping it symmetrical. I’ve only gotten to ride it for a short amount of time but it was a blast and totally worth the work. Future changes include removing the logos, longer wheelbase, and bones soft bushings.

9.125” egg cut into 6.125” wide 14.375wb
ACE AF1 chopped to 5” axle, 2” hanger
55mm mini logo AWOL with 5x speed washers

[MiltToad]

Nice nice, I’ve only skated Indy’s for over 20 yearsish. I see fuckwithyourtrucks on instagram has used aces do they turn well? I need to cut bushings or get an inverted kingpin to make the Indy’s turn better.  Otherwise, I enjoy the chicago plates I cut the most so far.

[BartHarleyJarvis]

Been lurking for too long and I had to make one. I couldn’t stand seeing extra parts sitting around in my garage. Chopping the trucks was a total PITA but I’m really happy with how they came out. The deck shape was really fun to make and I ended up keeping it symmetrical. I’ve only gotten to ride it for a short amount of time but it was a blast and totally worth the work. Future changes include removing the logos, longer wheelbase, and bones soft bushings.

9.125” egg cut into 6.125” wide 14.375wb
ACE AF1 chopped to 5” axle, 2” hanger
55mm mini logo AWOL with 5x speed washers

Hell yeah, sick one!! What was the process of cutting the trucks, that’s crazy

[Texas_Tone]

Been lurking for too long and I had to make one. I couldn’t stand seeing extra parts sitting around in my garage. Chopping the trucks was a total PITA but I’m really happy with how they came out. The deck shape was really fun to make and I ended up keeping it symmetrical. I’ve only gotten to ride it for a short amount of time but it was a blast and totally worth the work. Future changes include removing the logos, longer wheelbase, and bones soft bushings.

9.125” egg cut into 6.125” wide 14.375wb
ACE AF1 chopped to 5” axle, 2” hanger
55mm mini logo AWOL with 5x speed washers

good one!!!

[Steve Kranger]

Nice nice, I’ve only skated Indy’s for over 20 yearsish. I see fuckwithyourtrucks on instagram has used aces do they turn well? I need to cut bushings or get an inverted kingpin to make the Indy’s turn better.  Otherwise, I enjoy the chicago plates I cut the most so far.

I don’t have any experience using any other polarizer style trucks but they’re supposed to be among the most surfy skate truck on a standard size skateboard. Turning feels linear as opposed to hitting that point where all of a sudden you’re turning sharply. I like them and I was trying to spend the least amount money on this so it worked out for me.

[Steve Kranger]

It’s a lot of work but the process involves first with measuring what width you’d like the hanger. I used a caliper and used the baseplate to center it to mark the width of the baseplate onto the hanger. I used an angle grinder to cut “rings” into the hanger. You will know when you’ve hit the axle when you start seeing sparks so go slowly as not to completely scar up your axle but I dinged mine up and it’s just fine. After cutting rings around the axle, start cutting diagonally toward the axle. The more diagonal cuts you have the easier it will be to break off the soft aluminum rings. You can use big pliers to twist them off or use a flathead to pry them off. Other than that you’ll need to cut the width of the axle, chamfer the axle, and use a die to put threads back on.

[MiltToad]

Expand Quote

It’s a lot of work but the process involves first with measuring what width you’d like the hanger. I used a caliper and used the baseplate to center it to mark the width of the baseplate onto the hanger. I used an angle grinder to cut “rings” into the hanger. You will know when you’ve hit the axle when you start seeing sparks so go slowly as not to completely scar up your axle but I dinged mine up and it’s just fine. After cutting rings around the axle, start cutting diagonally toward the axle. The more diagonal cuts you have the easier it will be to break off the soft aluminum rings. You can use big pliers to twist them off or use a flathead to pry them off. Other than that you’ll need to cut the width of the axle, chamfer the axle, and use a die to put threads back on.

[close]

This is the same process I did for the Indy’s. It is a pita but the second one comes easier.  But if one has the means for that job I suggest one look at used roller skates on eBay.  You can come up with two sets of trucks, maybe two sets of sick wheels too for 20-30 dollars.  My advise would be stay away from the older ones that lack a pivot cup, watch out for 7 mm axles, and non precision bearings. 

[Mace]

What's the consensus on the Fiber Riders? I'm trying to decide between the regular Polarizer and the Fiber Rider.

[BartHarleyJarvis]

What's the consensus on the Fiber Riders? I'm trying to decide between the regular Polarizer and the Fiber Rider.

Pretty much everyone who’s gotten a fiber rider says they aren’t going back…

[Texas_Tone]

Expand Quote

What's the consensus on the Fiber Riders? I'm trying to decide between the regular Polarizer and the Fiber Rider.

[close]

Pretty much everyone who’s gotten a fiber rider says they aren’t going back…

It’s true, I haven’t stepped on my polarizer since I’ve got mine, but I’m gonna go out tomorrow with it, think I’ll ride it to the creek or something

[Mace]

Thanks! I just learned about the Polarizer concept and read everything I could find about them. Thankfully this thread has a lot of great info. I think I'll give the Fiber a shot.

[radcunt]

such a fun world to dive into, I miss the feeling of figuring it all out.  much easier these days, which might make it less fun.  was a real goose chase to figure it out when randomly seeing footage of blender and goonsac ripping around on them.

[Mace]

Diving into the Polarizer concept has been fun so far. I like nerding out on my hobbies and I bet it was fun back when finding parts, making them fit, etc was the rule.

[radcunt]

Diving into the Polarizer concept has been fun so far. I like nerding out on my hobbies and I bet it was fun back when finding parts, making them fit, etc was the rule.

yeah and chatting with & ordering directly with Blender was pretty sick.  The Powerdyne Hop Up Kit bushings, Bones Rough Riders, cutting down Sure Grip skates & blindly screwing them onto a deck you cut out of an old board was really fun.  Getting my first actual Polarizer with the Where The Grunion Run DVD was so exciting.  Think Watson made them there, and they had pencilled in measurements and a centre stringer line.  Beautifully made board.

[fernando the skater]

Expand Quote

Diving into the Polarizer concept has been fun so far. I like nerding out on my hobbies and I bet it was fun back when finding parts, making them fit, etc was the rule.

[close]

Where The Grunion Run DVD

The Vimeo link, for those that haven't seen it

[MiltToad]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

Diving into the Polarizer concept has been fun so far. I like nerding out on my hobbies and I bet it was fun back when finding parts, making them fit, etc was the rule.

[close]

Where The Grunion Run DVD

[close]

The Vimeo link, for those that haven't seen it

Nice I didnt know this video existed thanks for posting the link .  Yea radcunt we get it putting rollerskate trucks on wood is so cutting edge and ground breaking you had to be there before it got trendy. Mmmmm.  I like old videos on YouTube Hugh holland has some great books of so cal in the 60s and 70s before skating was commercialized so much.

[Mace]

Where The Grunion Run DVD
[/quote]

The Vimeo link, for those that haven't seen it


[/quote]

Awesome. Thank you.

[Mace]

Expand Quote

Diving into the Polarizer concept has been fun so far. I like nerding out on my hobbies and I bet it was fun back when finding parts, making them fit, etc was the rule.

[close]

yeah and chatting with & ordering directly with Blender was pretty sick.  The Powerdyne Hop Up Kit bushings, Bones Rough Riders, cutting down Sure Grip skates & blindly screwing them onto a deck you cut out of an old board was really fun.  Getting my first actual Polarizer with the Where The Grunion Run DVD was so exciting.  Think Watson made them there, and they had pencilled in measurements and a centre stringer line.  Beautifully made board.

Pretty jealous about that.

[radcunt]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

Diving into the Polarizer concept has been fun so far. I like nerding out on my hobbies and I bet it was fun back when finding parts, making them fit, etc was the rule.

[close]

Where The Grunion Run DVD

[close]

The Vimeo link, for those that haven't seen it

[close]

Nice I didnt know this video existed thanks for posting the link .  Yea radcunt we get it putting rollerskate trucks on wood is so cutting edge and ground breaking you had to be there before it got trendy. Mmmmm.  I like old videos on YouTube Hugh holland has some great books of so cal in the 60s and 70s before skating was commercialized so much.

I’m sorry, didn’t mean to make you angry but I’m just enjoying some nice memories in a thread about the said topic.

And thanks for sharing that Vimeo link Fernando! Love that video so much. Would just have it on in the background for a while when working. Would be cool if they did another Polarizer video

[tuesday]

Was just wondering whom I would like to see rip on a polarizer (besides the ususal suspects). First thought: Chris Pfanner. Also: Chris Miller.