BTTF 1955 Skateboard and Crate Build

[Scotophor]

That torch striker is just a flint and a steel rasp attached to opposite ends of a long "safety pin"-shaped spring, with a cup around the rasp. I don't think it would be a good choice for your sparking device. Perhaps just getting some replacement flints for one of those and mounting them to the board would work -- they're female-threaded, so all you would need is a properly-sized screw or bolt end sticking out wherever you want to mount one. To keep them from vibrating loose and falling off, leave enough thread to put a thin "jam" nut under the flint, then tighten the flint and nut against each other. The pavement itself would act as the rasp. The only question I have is whether the flints are strong enough to wear properly, or if they might be too brittle and simply snap off if they hit a big enough irregularity in the pavement.

 

[frizzen]

i know they had plywood back in the '50s as its used a lot in that era houses in sheets and laminated cabinetry.But had phillips screws actually taken off enough by then outside of mass produced stuff to make it to the salvaged parts on the scooters?these look great!

 

[Halliwax]

That torch striker is just a flint and a steel rasp attached to opposite ends of a long "safety pin"-shaped spring, with a cup around the rasp. I don't think it would be a good choice for your sparking device. Perhaps just getting some replacement flints for one of those and mounting them to the board would work -- they're female-threaded, so all you would need is a properly-sized screw or bolt end sticking out wherever you want to mount one. To keep them from vibrating loose and falling off, leave enough thread to put a thin "jam" nut under the flint, then tighten the flint and nut against each other. The pavement itself would act as the rasp. The only question I have is whether the flints are strong enough to wear properly, or if they might be too brittle and simply snap off if they hit a big enough irregularity in the pavement.



View attachment 500649

thats exactly what i meant, sorry for the confusion. i meant just using the "flint" i didn't know what it was called until you clarified it. i know allot of the low riders in the city take a ball and hitch, turn it upside down, and then let the air out of the bags so the truck slams to the ground and sits on the upside down hitch, that chrome hitch makes a ton of sparks! lol i didn't know if they used a simple piece of metal, there seems to be allot of sparks in the movie and the igniter is the first thing i thought of. heck i just recently got a striking torch for camping, i wonder if that would work!?

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i know they had plywood back in the '50s as its used a lot in that era houses in sheets and laminated cabinetry.But had phillips screws actually taken off enough by then outside of mass produced stuff to make it to the salvaged parts on the scooters?these look great!

im a carpenter by trade and when working on old houses from the 50s and 60s its a rare thing in my area to find plywood. its always boards, i didn't think it was around back then. thats good to know it was! funny you bring up the screws, i am going to go in my grand fathers basement and see if he has any left over screws from years ago

 

[Scotophor]

had phillips screws actually taken off enough by then outside of mass produced stuff to make it to the salvaged parts on the scooters?

Phillips screws were invented in the mid or late 1930s I believe, and were widely used in U.S. military hardware of WWII vintage and later. I don't know how long it was before they became common in the civilian market.

 

[MitasTouch]

They made so many versions of this board. Even the board Marty gives back to the kid after the chase scene is different than the one we see first when he rips the crate off.

 

[razorsharp192]

They made so many versions of this board. Even the board Marty gives back to the kid after the chase scene is different than the one we see first when he rips the crate off.

did you realise you replied to a thread over 18 months old?

 

[MitasTouch]

did you realise you replied to a thread over 18 months old?

Your point? There's nothing wrong with that.

 

[Mechanized]

Always someone late to the party, like me.

So I got my Globe skates in yesterday and the wood is cut and ready. But...

Can someone who has completed their 1955 skateboard post some pictures of how the skates should be cut? Or if they need to be cut at all?

Any help would be very appreciated.

 

[Mechanized]

Ima just revive this thread with new pictures for future member help instead of creating a whole new one.

Thanks to everyone in this thread for sharing all the info. Much appreciated.

I’ve re-read the thread and think I got everything right. If not, luckily the skates are inexpensive and easy to come by.

To start I removed the heel bit:




Next was marking and cutting the front half:




Removal of the toe cage:


After everything was cut it was time to drill the bolt holes:




I didn’t take pictures of the last part but I cut all the wood, sanded, and drilled/countersunk all the holes, I was ready to attach the skates:




Tomorrow I’ll finish the tail block and deck. Attach everything together and weather it.

More to come...

 

[thegnome]

Dude that's so rad! My dad got married in crutches because of windsurfing on a skateboard in Arizona when he was going to grad school there a week before they got married.

 

[Mechanized]

Dang, that’s wild, thegnome

I’ve been skating for almost 20 years now and I definitely have a list of injuries, hahah.

Speaking of, in all my years ive only ever bolted my trucks to deck wrong twice. Yesterday was the second. I realized this as I was going to bed.

So I had to re-bolt them this morning before work.
Before:


After:



Now that I have the lumber for the deck I’m back to it.

 

[Mad Max Cars]

NICE! For those of you looking at ageing wood. I have heard about a great way to make "Barn Wood" look that might be used in conjunction with other things. Dissolve (soak for a long time at least stirring regularly) steel wool in Vinegar. Spray or paint on and let dry. Have seen the results and they are pretty good.

 

[thegnome]

that's pretty cool progress on it.

 

[Mechanized]

I’m just about finished with my first version 1955 skateboard. Mainly made off the hero board screen caps.







A very fun and easy build. A few inaccuracies here and there that I’ll go back to fix. I have a set of trucks on the way to make the stunt version too

 

[thegnome]

Looking pretty rad dude

 

[thegnome]

Do you know the durometer of the wheels? I have had 99 and 101 and the last one hurts your feet as you probably know if you are not at a skatepark only. I have broken my tailbone, 3 ribs, and dislocated two of my vertebrae in one crash. I know the pain.

 

[Mechanized]

Thanks, thegnome.

As for the durometer of the wheels, most 80s wheels were pretty soft from 80a-90a, today most people skate 99a-101a. I personally am fan of 99a’s for all around skating.

For my stunt version I think I’m going to use the Madrid Mcfly wheels from their site and then modify them to match the movie. That or just some off brand ones. The Mcfly’s are sorta pricey for wheels.


A tweak or two and some paint will help them look the part.

 

[degurney]

Does anyone have the 'BRAVE' image that goes on top of the orange crate ?? I`ve made a 1:8 scale version of this... only thing I`m missing is the image.