Truck set-ups

[tzhangdox]

Analization Jig

[LebowskisRug]

Man it's rough when you misspell your own hashtag and go to shops and measure trucks and don't pay attention to which baseplates you measure. How do I know this? Because I was in Pacific Drive on Friday and just checked out the truck case and all the Thunders were lights same with most of the Ventures thus forged plates.

[goodatmeth]

Paul Schmitt is such a confusing character to me. Is he smart? Is he really stupid?
He's definitely really really bad at spelling. But also where did he get this "percentage of .0377%" from?
Seems like he's bad with numbers too.
Hope he's at least doing well on the analization

[Plan9Customs]

Finders of flat…

[LebowskisRug]

The real question is does he even skate?

[rocklobster]

Analization Jig

Thunder Classic 145, does he mean 147? At this stage I think Slap has done a better job of cataloging truck WB adjustments, sorted by brand / size / standard / hollow etc.

[Mbrimson88]

Thunder Classic 145, does he mean 147? At this stage I think Slap has done a better job of cataloging truck WB adjustments, sorted by brand / size / standard / hollow etc.

I guess it depends on brand, or how much the terminology is mixed up, eg:

Classic = Team edition = Standard
 (Ace)       (Thunder)        (Indy)

I would be more surprised that anyone usually has any Thunder 145 (7.62) or 143 (7.125) in stock, but I guess even the kids ride 8+ board sizes here in AU and a shop that caters for everyone would have all sizes in USA.

https://www.thundertrucks.com/sizing/

[Frank and Fred]

Honestly, there is a nerdy  neurotic compulsion here on SLAP that leads  me  to trust this thread more than Paul Schmitt.

[Ok]

Honestly, there is a nerdy  neurotic compulsion here on SLAP that leads  me  to trust this thread more than Paul Schmitt.

I love his contributions, passion.

I’ve posted about this before, but in my opinion, when he’s spewing this information, it feels like he throws out tidbits of information, and then leeeeaps to other tangentially connected information quickly, and then again, in a way that I feel like I’m being hustled. Or to say it another way, when I was a young waiter and didn’t know much about wine, someone would ask questions about a bottle and I would blurt out everything I’d ever heard about the winery, wine making process…just on and on, dancing around and just saying stuff hoping we could just move on.

So yeah, I totally trust a group of internet nerds more on measuring something.
What I hope for when listing to Schmitt is little bits of information to understand more about: (I apologize) board-fit. He seems incapable, and/or unwilling to spit it all out in a way I’m able to follow.

[Mbrimson88]

The real question is does he even skate?

I had to go looking and did find a few interesting things.

SCHMITT STIX team video 1987 Skateboarding

A video on youtube from 1987 was definitely not worth posting here, mainly just having fun on a 6 ft backyard mini ramp with a few team riders, but I could definitely see why a couple of those guys had their names on boards, like Lucero and Nolder,  among others.

A few other pics and things here and there, I guess this one being maybe the most interesting interview and pic:

https://juicemagazine.com/home/paul-schmitt/

https://juicemagazine.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/schmitt1-2.jpg


Apart from that, I can appreciate the interest (and the boards back around 2000 era) but don't go too deep with anything from him.

I think everything else has been covered by other people here anyway.

[manysnakes]

The real question is does he even skate?

He definitely does and is “old guy-good”. He used to post photos and videos, but fell and broke a bone (maybe his hip?) and I haven’t seen anything since then.

[manysnakes]

Paul Schmitt is such a confusing character to me. Is he smart? Is he really stupid?
He's definitely really really bad at spelling. But also where did he get this "percentage of .0377%" from?
Seems like he's bad with numbers too.
Hope he's at least doing well on the analization

I *think* he’s trying to describe the difference in offset between two trucks, but without some kind of baseline, it’s more or less useless.

[intendedreceivers]

Expand Quote

Paul Schmitt is such a confusing character to me. Is he smart? Is he really stupid?
He's definitely really really bad at spelling. But also where did he get this "percentage of .0377%" from?
Seems like he's bad with numbers too.
Hope he's at least doing well on the analization

[close]

I *think* he’s trying to describe the difference in offset between two trucks, but without some kind of baseline, it’s more or less useless.

Yeah. He divided his measured difference in wheelbase by the original wheelbase itself (.63/16.69), which is .0377, but he forgot to move the decimal point, so It’s actually 3.77%.

However, that number is pretty useless for comparison purposes because, like you said, it *only* applies to a baseline combo of an Ace truck on a board drilled to 14 in. Percentages are bogus in measurements like these. Too much complexity and too many variables.

[manysnakes]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

Paul Schmitt is such a confusing character to me. Is he smart? Is he really stupid?
He's definitely really really bad at spelling. But also where did he get this "percentage of .0377%" from?
Seems like he's bad with numbers too.
Hope he's at least doing well on the analization

[close]

I *think* he’s trying to describe the difference in offset between two trucks, but without some kind of baseline, it’s more or less useless.

[close]

Yeah. He divided his measured difference in wheelbase by the original wheelbase itself (.63/16.69), which is .0377, but he forgot to move the decimal point, so It’s actually 3.77%.

However, that number is pretty useless for comparison purposes because, like you said, it *only* applies to a baseline combo of an Ace truck on a board drilled to 14 in. Percentages are bogus in measurements like these. Too much complexity and too many variables.

Yeah, there's no baseline here. I don't have any good ideas myself, but I would be curious to know if any of the engineers, machinists or even hobbyists here have a better suggestion for some type of jig with a standardized baseline.

[manysnakes]

What’s the recommended non-JB Weld epoxy (two-part or otherwise) for adhering the nut of your kingpin to the baseplate? I've had JB twice fail on me, and I know someone here said they had a better adhesive.

[Xen]

Goes through that whole process and doesn't measure Thunders?

The real question is does he even skate?

'yeeew'

[PuffinMuffin]

What’s the recommended non-JB Weld epoxy (two-part or otherwise) for adhering the nut of your kingpin to the baseplate? I've had JB twice fail on me, and I know someone here said they had a better adhesive.

Devcon plastic steel epoxy is the only adhesive that hasn't failed on me. I roughed the application area up with a file, then cleaned it thoroughly. I feel like epoxies work much better in a square recessed area than in a circular one (like stage 10 Indy's).

[dirtjers]

Currently running Venture 5.8’s totally stock. Was thinking of doing the Bones top washers for some extra surf, since I have some laying around anyway.

This leads me to my question: Is this healthier or gnarlier for the top bushing?

Did a quick search and found varying opinions throughout the last year or so, but wasn’t sure what the consensus was.

My conventional wisdom says the stock too washer would be more damaging because it can cut into the bushing- but who knows.

[Xen]

Fresh Thunder TI 149s
Flat sleeved washers
NGF 95a low top (feels much softer tho)
Venom 86a bottom (sanded down about 1mm)

Been riding various 148/161 Thunders of late, cast/forged, ollies are good, balance point good, wheebite is shit (148s on 8.3s).

Bushing-wise after playing with indy/nfg conicals and stock, I took my own advice and slapped in the Venom 86a bottom bushing and they're as good as I remember; easily the next best thing to stock if you want something a little softer with waaaaaaay more rebound - coming off the NFG bottoms it's night and day. With the better rebound and sleeved washers I get out of wheelbite territory much faster, even on forged plates.

I threw in the low nfg top, doesn't seem to make a different other than it being low so I can actually get the pin to catch the nylock and have it turn better than stock (too tight using stockheight, nut flush). But honestly any lower top would work just fine.

[Boog]

Currently running Venture 5.8’s totally stock. Was thinking of doing the Bones top washers for some extra surf, since I have some laying around anyway.

This leads me to my question: Is this healthier or gnarlier for the top bushing?

Did a quick search and found varying opinions throughout the last year or so, but wasn’t sure what the consensus was.

My conventional wisdom says the stock too washer would be more damaging because it can cut into the bushing- but who knows.

The bigger question is do you want to sacrifice better rebound for more turn? Because in my experience with venture if I run a flat top washer I get better turn but the bounce back to center is not as good.

[LebowskisRug]

I have a weird rattle/creaking coming from the front truck of my Indy Hollows. I took the truck apart and it's not the kingpin and the pivot cup seems fine. I waxed the bottom of the bottom washer but it still sounds kind of like a metallic rattle when I land anything or a creak when I turn. I don't ride my trucks very loose. Any ideas?

[Ok]

I have a weird rattle/creaking coming from the front truck of my Indy Hollows. I took the truck apart and it's not the kingpin and the pivot cup seems fine. I waxed the bottom of the bottom washer but it still sounds kind of like a metallic rattle when I land anything or a creak when I turn. I don't ride my trucks very loose. Any ideas?

Damn it. I got all logged in to write for you to do what it sounds like you’ve done: kingpin/washers binding on kingpin. I still think it might be the kingpin.
As an aside: have Indy’s been extra creaky lately? I just got blessed by the great homie with some USA 149s, and they are quiet as kept, but my more recent hollow 139s are squeakers

[LebowskisRug]

These are actually decently old. My neighbor bought them before the move and then we traded. I tried another washer but it still happens.

[lilboosie]

i posted my last painted trucks here so ill throw these recent ones in

this is the second time i made custom truck graphics or whatever. first time was for myself and this time for my homie. he wanted trucks to match his winkowski deck. i did the best i could to match the colors with what i had. it was fun. 2 different paint methods. 3 colors. i had fun with this!!

[Ok]

These are actually decently old. My neighbor bought them before the move and then we traded. I tried another washer but it still happens.

Well sheeeeit.
Apologies: did you take the truck off of the board to check the kingpin? Im assuming all of the bolts are tightened…squeaks/rattles on a setup are frustrating because there are so few areas for this to happen. I’ve had wheels that the bearings didn’t seat into perfectly that causes some sounds. Creaking and rattling trucks for me have almost always been: pivot cup, bottom bushing (did you wax the bottom of the hanger?). I’ve had kingpins that worked loose, and those rattled around. Annoying as hell, but didn’t really affect the performance in a way I could notice

[Xen]

Expand Quote

These are actually decently old. My neighbor bought them before the move and then we traded. I tried another washer but it still happens.

[close]

Well sheeeeit.
Apologies: did you take the truck off of the board to check the kingpin? Im assuming all of the bolts are tightened…squeaks/rattles on a setup are frustrating because there are so few areas for this to happen. I’ve had wheels that the bearings didn’t seat into perfectly that causes some sounds. Creaking and rattling trucks for me have almost always been: pivot cup, bottom bushing (did you wax the bottom of the hanger?). I’ve had kingpins that worked loose, and those rattled around. Annoying as hell, but didn’t really affect the performance in a way I could notice

I had a similar thing recently, my board had a rattle (using the ACE lows), everything was tight/as it should be (I even snugged up the wheels for no play) but I had what sounded like a metallic 'rail rattle'. Could not locate it so I just took the whole thing apart, swapped trucks and it was fine.

Gremlins.

[LebowskisRug]

I didn't take the trucks off, but I secured the board to a bench with some large clamps and then used pliers with soft grip jaws to try and move it and got nothing. What I think is happening is that since the kingpin is hollow and my weight standing on the board compresses the bushings there is enough play to let the washer wiggle against the kingpin and make an echo. The simple solution might be to drop epoxy down the kingpin hole at top and bottom to plug it up and put some Teflon tape around the bottom so the washer has zero play.

[fakiefs180]

i posted my last painted trucks here so ill throw these recent ones in

this is the second time i made custom truck graphics or whatever. first time was for myself and this time for my homie. he wanted trucks to match his winkowski deck. i did the best i could to match the colors with what i had. it was fun. 2 different paint methods. 3 colors. i had fun with this!!

Woah. Awesome work mate. I especially like the color of the baseplates. <3

[Xen]

Expand Quote

Currently running Venture 5.8’s totally stock. Was thinking of doing the Bones top washers for some extra surf, since I have some laying around anyway.

This leads me to my question: Is this healthier or gnarlier for the top bushing?

Did a quick search and found varying opinions throughout the last year or so, but wasn’t sure what the consensus was.

My conventional wisdom says the stock too washer would be more damaging because it can cut into the bushing- but who knows.

[close]

The bigger question is do you want to sacrifice better rebound for more turn? Because in my experience with venture if I run a flat top washer I get better turn but the bounce back to center is not as good.

Try a harder top bushing with the flat washer (or a bones hard and skip the top washer).

[Boog]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

Currently running Venture 5.8’s totally stock. Was thinking of doing the Bones top washers for some extra surf, since I have some laying around anyway.

This leads me to my question: Is this healthier or gnarlier for the top bushing?

Did a quick search and found varying opinions throughout the last year or so, but wasn’t sure what the consensus was.

My conventional wisdom says the stock too washer would be more damaging because it can cut into the bushing- but who knows.

[close]

The bigger question is do you want to sacrifice better rebound for more turn? Because in my experience with venture if I run a flat top washer I get better turn but the bounce back to center is not as good.

[close]

Try a harder top bushing with the flat washer (or a bones hard).

Thank you. I'll have to give it a try.