In this article I will guide you through the steps to make your own snowskate for less than $50, Canadian Eh!

If you do it right you can have a custom build skate that will last for seasons.

Step One: Gather Materials

you will need a skateboard deck.

Grab an old one you have lying around
or you can get a crappy, um, Bargain Skateboard from Canadian Tire, Zellers, Walmart, where ever, just make sure it's not kid sized.

You will need skateboard trucks.

These may be harder to find for free but again go grab a Bargain Skate from your nearest discount retailer and you're good to go..

Now you need a snowblade.
The hardest item to find for free.

Try asking around your local ski hill or rental shop for single or broken blades or ask them to hold broken blades for you.

Also try putting an wanted ad around asking for broken blades or a used set.

Metal Screws

These guys are great for winter griptape.
grab a box from your local hardware store.

#10 x 1/2"

Rounded Top Screws

In this tutorial these will be used to mount the Skateboard deck to the trucks using metal strips.

If you wish to bolt the deck to the trucks then go buy four 2" long bolts with nuts and washers.

Otherwise: #10 x 3/4"

Mounting hardware (8)

these are longer than snowboard hardware but they have a great grip to them, Find 8 screws that are very coarse threaded.

Binding screws work great.

Metal Strapping

These will brace the trucks to the skate deck.

get about a foot of heavy strapping


or buy a dozen of these pipe braces

but the strapping is better and cheaper.

Metal Strip - 1/8 " thick by 1" wide

This could be considered optional but I would recommend spending the extra $6 and get this piece of metal strip.

This metal strip will provide extra support to your snowskate and spring to your board as well it will prolong the life of your deck.

You can buy metal strips at Canadian Tire in 12 foot lengths.

Skip this piece and you will break your deck on the first over 10 foot drop you try on your snowskate.

Step Two: The Tools

The Tools

Get together these tools or the alternate tool listed and ready yourself to get Macguyver.

Because material types will vary please make changes where you see fit, I have made 8 snowskates for friends and each one has had it's own style. Get creative and send me pics of your great skates. Ok Grab your tools!.

Steel Drill Bits - It's best if you have a large assortment but if you have to buy bits for this project you will need to get two sizes.

The size of the bits will be determined by your mounting hardware.

If you decide to mount the trucks to the blade using snowboard hardware, you will have to widen the holes on the trucks baseplate to accept the extra wide screws. (*A)
Therefore you will need a steel bit the same width as the snowboard screws.

Second; should you decide to drill holes through the trucks to mount them to the skateboard deck (*B ) (recommended) then you will need a strong drill bit the width of the bolts that you will use.

Buy the mounting hardware and the bits at the same time. I have used skateboard hardware for this but the longer skate bolts are getting harder to find, Just go buy a four 2" long bolts with nuts and you can saw off the excess.

Wood Drill Bits -You will need a couple different wood bits too.

One should be a bit smaller than the mounting

Wood Chisel

Use this to clean up any rough spots on your snowblade or skateboard deck.

Power Drill

This is great for making holes.

Much cleaner than dynamite..

Sharp Utility Knife

Use this to clean up any rough spots on your snowblade or skateboard deck.

Warning, You need all your fingers for step three so be careful with this tool.

Hacksaw. (you can also use a Cutoff saw or Dremil)

Use this to cut off the skate truck axle bolts.
Also remove any extruding screwtips with this.

Metal Snips

Use these to cut your metal strapping to mount your trucks.

Black Marker

Use this to mark the snowblade to mount your trucks.

Measuring Tape

Unless you are some kind of savant you'll need this to "exactify" distances between things.

You can use your fingers to measure but guys have a habit of exaggerating measurements during reevaluation.

Whacker

Sometime things don't work
and you have to hit them with something.

Best to be prepared for this.

Step Three: Construction

One of the greatest things about home construction on a budget is you get to use what's around your workshop or garage to help the project along.

Any hardcore skater will do whatever needs to be done to get some fun on a board.

Don't be proud;
Better to have a great homemade skate with character than some crappy store-bought brand.
I have tried every Bi-deck out there I think and I always prefer my homemade baby.

Ok Let's get to it.

- Clean up any rough spots with the utility knife and chisel

- Fill any holes with wood glue

- Wash the board

- Cut the axles of the truck so they don't poke out past the edge of the deck

-make sure there are no sharp edges

- Drill the holes to mount your trucks

A - widen the holes on the baseplate
to accommodate the coarse mounting hardware

B - Drill holes through the trucks if you wish to mount them using 2" bolts

If you can hammer out the axles, you will find it easier to drill through the trucks

- Space out your trucks evenly

- Mark your mounting holes with a marker

- Mark the placement of the truck on the snowblade and get the drill ready.

- Drill your holes using a bit that is smaller than the inner threads of the mounting hardware

*Try not to puncture the base of the blade

- Fasten your trucks to the snowblade with the drill or screwdriver

-Use superglue in the holes if you think you messed them up

*be quick when using super glue

- Once your trucks are mounted check all screws to ensure they are tight

*last chance to fill any holes with glue

Filling holes will prevent the blade from taking on moisture, prolonging the life of your skate

- Clean up any rough spots with the utility knife and chisel on your base

- If you went through with a screw, saw it off and file it down

- Fill any holes with wax

- Wash the base

- use the metal strap to provide strength

- Run it the length of the base of your Skateboard deck

- Keep it in place with screws

- Attach the trucks to the skatedeck with the metal strapping

- Or you can use the 2" bolts if you drilled holes in the trucks

- next drill screws into the top of your skate for the best grip surface in the snow

- Clean up any screws that you have put through the deck

Step Four: Go shred you new skate

Be sure to send me pictures of your skates
dave@nearlucid.com

Have fun and be safe.

I assume no responsibility for providing you with the means to maim yourself on a huge rail.

Copyright 2005
Nearlucid Productions
www.nearlucid.com

Some more pictures
See videos at www.muskokaramp.com/videos.html