Scratch Built Hoverboard

[Pat Za Ponor]

I'd like to share this hoverboard I built. It's all made from common household items and a few things from Home Depot.

Aside from the main board, everything was constructed with just a dremel.

I worked on it off and on for the past couple months and I'm very happy with the results.

I've wanted a hoverboard ever since I was a kid and would watch Back to the Future 2 and 3 over and over again.

Thanks to wackychimp for the image hosting and Ramiel for sizing a full size graphic of the hoverboard. And while I didn't end up using the graphic it certainly helped with measurements.

 

[Trooper_trent]

that's really fantastic. I've been wanting to do one of these for a really long time. Where did you get the lenticular pattern? I looked all over the web for it but couldn't find it. I'm extremely interested to know how you built it and what materials you used. It looks really good.

 

[Sporak]

I'd love to see a tutorial on this one...Beautiful job.

I second the request for info on the graphics and materials...

 

[Notorious]

very nicely done. a tutorial would be nice. back to the future is an awesome movie with so many cool props. it's my favorite movie of all time.

 

[Reel Fakes]

NICE.

A tutorial would be awesome. I've been wanting to build one of these for a while now. i just can't seem to figure out how to do the main board.

Thanks for sharing - Well done.

Chris

 

[Ramiel]

Finally I can see it.
This is one of the things I wanna hang on my wall (or to take a ride with a train )
Looks great.

 

[PHArchivist]

Got to make me one of these.

NICE work.

 

[Pat Za Ponor]

Thanks for the positive feedback guys.

I'll definitely get up a sort of tutorial in the next week or so. I'm going through a huge move right now and don't have the internet. I'm at a friend's house to type this reply.

 

[LogansRunner]

That looks freaking awesome man.
A Tutorial would be awesome though if I ever made one if prob wouldn't be half as nice.

 

[blufive]

Nicely done.

:thumbsup

 

[Andy]

Absolutely prodigious stuff PZP, this really demonstrates ingenuity and a lot of skill plus I canÂ’t help but smile whenever I see anything BTTF related. Definitely love to see you put a tutorial together when you find some time.

 

[Pat Za Ponor]

Hey guys, thanks again for the kind words.

I haven't forgotten about this thread and I promise I will provide a parts list and some sort of tutorial.

I finally have the internet working at my new place, but it's wonky right now, constantly cutting in and out.

I just don't have time right this minute to do it because I started med school last week and I'm studying all the time. But I will pull through.

 

[Trooper_trent]

cool, I've subscribed to this thread, eagerly awaiting a tutorial.

 

[DonnieDarko688]

Great work, but those boards don't work on water, unless you've got power.

 

[BLASTER]

hey, that's a nice looking board. Good job.


<div class='quotetop'>(Trooper_trent @ Aug 25 2006, 04:07 PM) [snapback]1307074[/snapback]</div>

Where did you get the lenticular pattern? I looked all over the web for it but couldn't find it. I'm extremely interested to know how you built it and what materials you used. It looks really good.
[/b]

I don't know what he used but maybe you could make use of some material like this fishing lure making supplies:

http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/reflector-tape/


or maybe some sort of reflector tape from a safety supplies source.


Steven

 

[Pat Za Ponor]

Thanks for having patience.

For the main deck I used MDF wood cut to 28" long and 8" wide. To make the tail I just cut off some of the back at an angle and then glued the pieces back together. Then I routered the edges.

The two "hover magnets" are stainless steel stove element covers. Then I just had to paint the sides black.

The red pieces are also made of wood, but I'm not sure what type. I had spare wood lying around that was the right size. I don't have any measurements for them as I just eyeballed it. I drew the design on the bottom of the main deck to get the sizes right and then used my dremel to sculpt the shape into the wood.
The purple piece was done the same way except with thicker wood.

To achieve the red lips that go up the side of the hover magnets I used margarine containers. I cut out slits from the portion of the container that the lid attaches to, painted them red and glued them to the red pieces and the element covers. Depending on what type of margarine containers you use you will probably have to do some bending and shaping to get the correct look.

For the lenticular material, which is what people are usually the most curious about, I used styrene sheet covers that go over fluorescent lights.

For the 2 pairs of diagonal pink stripes on the bottom of the board and the pair of pink stripes on the lower half of the top side of the board I printed out pink of good quality glossy paper. For the diagonal pink stripes on the top half of the top side I used thick felt material I found at Fabricland.

The green lines going throughout the board are green electrical tape and the white lines are white electrical tape.

The footpad is cut out of a big piece of dark green material you put on chair and table legs when you don't want them to scratch hardwood floors. Then I glued light green felt on top of that.
The footstrap is a pink fluffy material I found in the sheeting section at fabricland.

The mattel logos and hoverboard logo I found on the internet. I printed them off on photo paper to get a good glossy look to them. I'll try and find somewhere to upload them.

Well I think that covers it. Feel free to ask me anymore questions and I'll be more than happy to help out.

 

[Sporak]

Brilliant.
Do you have a closeup that shows the levels and relationship on the surface? Curious about the light cover material and how it sets.

 

[Trooper_trent]

<div class='quotetop'>(Pat Za Ponor @ Sep 17 2006, 03:41 PM) [snapback]1321799[/snapback]</div>

For the lenticular material, which is what people are usually the most curious about, I used styrene sheet covers that go over fluorescent lights.
that covers it. Feel free to ask me anymore questions and I'll be more than happy to help out.
[/b]

Could you be a little more specific? I guess I don't understand what you're talking about. Where did you get it? Are you talking about the clear panels with the sharp diamond pattern that cover the florecent light casings for retail stores? could you get a closer pic of this material?
Thanks for the tutorial. i'm excited and you have a lot of good ideas.

 

[Pat Za Ponor]

Unfortunately I can't take any pics of it until late December. I'm away at school and won't be home until the Christmas break.

I bought the lenticular material at Home Depot. They're the sheets of clear plastic you put in front of fluorescent lights to help diffuse the light. They come in different types of plastic, different thicknesses, and different rigidity.

I hope that helps.

 

[Sporak]

So is it a thin plastic then?