Once upon a time, I got bored.

[Jebtubberfield]

And I decided that Tech Decks are too expensive, so I set out to make my own. I had no plans or help, only a crapload of index cards. At first it started out very simple. Take 7 index cards (to match the seven plys of a board) and glue them together. Then cut them out in the shape of a skateboard about 2 inches long and angle the nose and tail. No wheels or trucks were added, so the fingerboards could be played with on a variety of surfaces, such as carpet. They were also much quieter, and could be played with in school with minimal risk of getting in trouble. They were fun for a while, but I soon realized they were too small and wayy too thin.

So then came the new line of my creations. This time they were much larger: about the length of a regular Tech Deck, and a bit wider for more control. 12-15 plys of index cards were used to make these boards. Thick? Yes, but still thinner and lighter than a Tech Deck. They also had increased concave for a more realistic look and for better flippage, as well as real skateboard griptape on the top and slick tape on the bottom. So I took a few to school and started playing with them, and everyone loved them. I started raking in cash selling my little babies. I even cranked up the price for custom graphics. Even I'm in love with them. On a rainy day, there's nothing better to do than double kickflip off my couch, or tre flip boardslide on my little stapler. Indeed, it has become a hobby of mine for when real skateboarding isn't possible.

Do you care? Probably not. But I thought it might arouse some interest.

(PS - This is NOT ADVERTISEMENT. I'm not trying to promote my "product" or anything like that. I don't plan to sell them or trade them online. Plus I doubt many people would want to buy them anyway. Just so you know)

[wsoxsk8r]

sounds cool....i'm gonna try and make some lol

[Jebtubberfield]

They take me about 30min to make if I already have the index cards cut into manageable sized rectangles

[Dookie416]

haha dude how much profit did you make?

[minervo]

Sounds sweet, man. I wouldn't mind having one of those.

[SkaterFly]

Good idea....

haha, how much did you sell each?

[mcrow1]

sounds cool as man, might try that maself.

[Le_MoNaDe]

what are exactly "index cards"? is this some American term?

[Dr._Skate]

what are exactly "index cards"? is this some American term?

AKA note cards

[wsoxsk8r]

umm can you show a picture of some cause i wanna see what they look like..

[Le_MoNaDe]

AKA note cards

oh okokokokok

[Jebtubberfield]

I sold them for $3-$5 a piece depending on how much money I already had, how much money I needed, what my mood was, etc. I probably made around $30 or $40 in the time I sold them. Eventually I got lazy and stopped selling them as much. People kept wanting to buy them but I just wasn't up to it. My buddy stole my idea though and made a load of money. One time he made $25 in just one day. Irritated me a little bit lol.

As for the picture, my digital camera's broken so I can't show you, but if you'd like I can create a step by step guide telling how to make them. And I'll try and show pics soon.

PS - I also built a load of random stuff to use my boards on. So far I have a funbox with a really tall rail, a foot long miniramp, a funbox with a ledge and a stairset, a pyramid, and random kickers and rails. Fun stuff.

[SlimJim_junky]

Pretty cool if you're making some money.

[CopsPushMongo]

Woah man those sound sick i really feel like making one. it would be cool if you could post some pics of it or a video tutorial of how to make them

[saikouslx]

how did u get the concave to stay bent?

[saikouslx]

nm, i just made one. They are lush!!!! Just that when i started cutting cause u only used prit the 'plys' started seprarating.However i taped the side afetr finsihed bent the concave to how i want (it stays in place) and startesd poppin. 360 shuvs over the rest of the card!!! Btw i used 16. I cnat kickflip but i can 360 hardflip and almsot tre!

[Jebtubberfield]

If you're gonna use 12 layers, then make 4 stacks with three plys in each stack. Trace the outline of what you want your board to look like on the top ply in each stack. Then glue the plys together so that you have four separate components, each containing 3 plys. Cut out the board shape in each glued stack separately (this makes it easier to cut them without them moving). Now you have 4 very thin pieces that are probably beginning to look like skateboard decks. Glue them all together, then bend and curve how you want. The concave will stay as long as you give it some time to dry.

I suggest using Elmer's gel stick glue, as it always works the best for me. You CANNOT use liquid glue because it bleeds through and ruins the cards. I usually let mine dry for 2 or 3 hours before applying griptape and clear tape to the bottom.

[SkaterFly]

You use real grip?

[Jebtubberfield]

Yeah. If I'm wanting to make a lot then I buy a whole sheet but if I just wanna make a few then I use the scraps from when I grip my real board. I just store it all in a box. Sometimes the adhesive bottom of the grip gets ruined so I have to glue it manually onto the top.

[SkaterFly]

Oh cool. Ha, your friend sounds like a traitor. Jk :D

[Jebtubberfield]

Haha we've been pals 7 years so it's no big deal. That's half my life... dang.

One of my friends told me he saw a teacher playing with one of the boards that he took up from a kid. Haha

[SkaterFly]

aha thats funny.


and my best friend, we've been friends since I was 3.

[Jebtubberfield]

I stopped being lazy and pumped another out tonight. It's really thin at only 12 layers so I hope it keeps its pop for at least a few months. (Yes these things lose pop and crap like real decks obviously) Waiting for it to dry right now. I'll get some graphics on it and griptape before morning.

[DVSkid94]

I tried making my own a couple of times but they were never as good as youurs sounds. I only used one index card and used tape as trucks but now im gonna try ur way cuz i never hav time to get a tech deck and i always get them taken away in school so its not worht it.

[DVSkid94]

Haha we've been pals 7 years so it's no big deal. That's half my life... dang.

One of my friends told me he saw a teacher playing with one of the boards that he took up from a kid. Haha
Sorry for a double post but thats what my friend said. He was playing with a tech deck and then his teacher came up to him and went, "I have one of those" and started to play with it and gave it back.

[saikouslx]

my two are already startin to lose pop, btw u think they wud b way better if they had trucks.

[Jebtubberfield]

Haha.

Nah, I wouldn't put trucks on. I just like them better without. If they're already losing pop then you might not be letting them drie long enough, or the glue might suck. Also you might be pressing too hard with your back finger when you pop. It should be a quick motion.

[wsoxsk8r]

oh ok cool so your gonna make steps cause i tried making them and mine looks like shit so yeah....

[DVSkid94]

I made one last nigt shortly after i found this thread and they are so fun. But its just supposed to be like a deck and no trucks right? here are some pics of mine, I dont know if this is what you ment.

http://www.ramprage.com/forums/media/showphoto.php?photo=4619&cat=500&ppuser=8848

http://www.ramprage.com/forums/media/showphoto.php?photo=4618&cat=500&ppuser=8848

http://www.ramprage.com/forums/media/showphoto.php?photo=4617&cat=500&ppuser=8848

The first one is the top of the board, the second one is the concave and the third is the bottom.

[Jebtubberfield]

Yeah that's pretty much it. Griptape helps olt I think though.
And skill comes with practice. It is pretty hard to cut it clean though.

[SkaterFly]

Cool, it helps to have pics.

[DVSkid94]

Theres is grip. I found some clear grip from a longboard lying around the house. And as u sed it is hard to get a clean cut.

[saikouslx]

put a little bit of glue (stick ones, like pritt) on the top. Just so that its slightly tacky. That way when you pop it easier for the bod to grip. Its like grip tape. But if its onyl tacky it doesnt stay stuck to your fingers so you can manouvere it. I put just enough so that i can pop it, but if i kept it in the air it would fall off my fingers. Btw i can murder flip on em

[Jebtubberfield]

Yeah murder flips are fun so are front foot impossibles and ollie norths. I can do a few things nollie too

[wsoxsk8r]

ummm...can you show me like pics or a video on how to make them???

[Jebtubberfield]

Yeah fine. I'll put some pics, but they'll have to be MSpaint because my camera doesnt work

[Jebtubberfield]

I'm way too lazy to make all those pictures. It would take hours that I don't have. But I'll try and take it as slow as possible.

First, take 3 jumbo index cards.

Fold each one in half "hamburger" style, and cut along the crease. You now have six pieces.

Fold each piece in half the same way as before, so that you will have 12 strips of index card that are about the size of a tech deck, minus a few centimeters or so.

Stack these strips into 4 piles that are each 3 strips thick.

Now get a piece of paper, it doesn't matter what kind. Measure and cut a piece off that is the same size as one of your index card strips. Take a pencil and draw the top view of whatever you want your fingerboard to look like. Cut it out. This will be your stencil.

On the top strip of each pile, trace around your stencil so the shape clearly shows up on the strip. Make sure you do this to each pile.

Next, take a good glue stick (Elmers is what I use) and glue together the strips in each pile. If you do it right, you'll end up having four index card "planks." DO NOT LET THEM DRY.

Take a sharp pair of scissors and cut out your shape from each pile. Having four thin piles instead of one thick one will make it much easier to cut accurately.

Now you should have four, 3 card thick, skateboard-shaped index card planks.

Glue them together so that you only have one, 12 card thick, index card deck.

It's not done yet, you still need to make the nose and the tail. Take your fingers and bend the ends up however high you please. I always use a tech deck to get a general idea of the shape. It helps to make the nose and tail higher than on tech decks, since you don't have to trucks to give you the extra pop. You can also put some concave on it if you want. It should be pretty moldable at this stage, so it won't be hard to shape it.

After you have shaped it as you please, set it somewhere to dry for about 4-5 hours.

Once dry and completely stiff, you can draw any designs you want onto the bottom, then take some slick, clear tape and put it on the bottom. Use scissors to remove the excess.

Also, it helps to get some griptape onto the top, but you can glue on sandpaper if you don't have any extra griptape.

You is done.

[wsoxsk8r]

oh ok thanks a lot! :)

[Jebtubberfield]

no problemo

[wsoxsk8r]

yeah, these things are really fun to play with......i did 10 plys though cause i didnt feel like doing 12....but its still fun. Kickflips are much easier then on techdecks and tre flips are fun to do....now i got all my friends making them and stuff...:-2:

[Jebtubberfield]

Haha, gotta keep it alive

[SkatingTillDead]

Good idea man .

[saikouslx]

yeh im using tippex as grip works good
in dt this boy got a circle got out off a massive block ofm wood. And the off cuts are in the shape of Qp's si i took two. I can have a spine halfpipe or just two qp's for my thnig. Its great!

[Ramp]