Custom 3D Printable Skateboard Models!

Hello!

In this instructable, I will design and print some custom skateboard desk models using tinkercad. I will include the files to print them later down the page.

The challenge behind this was that I can not upload any models to copy, I could only look at pictures to design this in tinkercad. Tinkercad is a simple program but if you know how to use it you can make some pretty realistic looking things from scratch.

You will need:

1 Computer

1 3D Printer (I used my schools one)

Needle nosed pliers

1 Olfa Knife

Some Glue (might not be needed)

The first option is a regular double kick skateboard. First, open tinkercad online in a browser and open a new project. For me, the 3D printer I used was a MakerBot Replicator+ so I changed the grid options to MakerBot Replicator+.

For the dimensions I kinda just eyeballed it but I found that 28 mm by 100 mm is about perfect. For height I found that 3 mm or 2.5 mm works best because you need a bit of extra thickness for the custom lettering. Then take a half circle from the basic shapes (in Tinkercad its called a round roof) and make it the same width and thickness as the board. Then angle it to your liking (it's hard to tell exactly how angles it is) and trim the bit sticking out at the bottom by dragging on a hole box (not sure whats its called) and drag it upwards till it shades the bit sticking out. Then group all three objects and you've done one half of the board!

For the wheels I opened a 3D model of a skateboard by Nambler on Thingiverse and tried to copy the trucks (only by looking at the picture) on the skateboard to make it more realistic. The wheels and axle are made from a wheel from the featured shapes, and the axle is a basic cylinder. The trucks are supported by a top rectangle. Then a rounded square and cylinder, and on the other side of the top rectangle and triangle and cylinder. both these will be connected by an oval at the bottom and the axle sits in that. Next, we group the objects and center it on the half of the board. Finally, copy and paste the board and trucks which we have grouped together and center it to the original to create the whole board.

For the custom lettering, it's up to you the size and font, but about 1.5mm to 2mm into the board makes it nice when it comes out of the 3d printer.

For printing if you want to print it, I've included the file below.

For the second option I made some longboards. Now these I did not copy any pictures except after the one explaining the types of longboards. One of them is a "twin" design and the other is a "pintail" design. The "twin" base is 125mm by 28mm and the two little squares at both ends are about 3mm each. I used the same trucks as I used for the previous skateboard, aligned them and then put the custom lettering on the same as the previous skateboard. I also increased the radius without increasing the steps to give it that slight triangular sharp edge style.

Next, I made the pintail longboard. Now this one, I was not actually sure whether it existed because where i live, I've only seen one of them so far, but i still made it and did the research after, to find that it was a style of skateboard. So i made mine with an almost flat front edge and a pointy backend, just to be different. I first took a regular rectangle, 120mm (again slightly longer than my first skateboard) by 28mm and increased radius, this time with more steps and then copied the same pice again, this time i made it really pointy and inserted it into the board, sticking it out 2mm at the back. so the final dimensions, 122mm by 28mm and again about 3mm thick. I used the same trucks again (the ones i made) and aligned them. For the letters, the same story, your choice of font and your choice of size, about 1.5mm to 2mm into the board (you can get this by adjusting the snap grid.)

Next, I 3D Printed them. I used the new makerbot print app. I didn't get a video for all three because I printed the other two during my class time. They averaged 3 hours print time with fine detail, two shells, 20% infill, with a raft and supports, i found these to be the best settings (If you want stronger trucks, add more infill). When they were done, I cleaned them with needle nosed pliers and an olfa knife. Now, the trucks are small and very delicate and once or twice they broke in the same place so i glued them (just go slowly.) Then I sanded them, rinsed them off under a tap and they were good to go! If you use a different 3D printer than the makerbot replicator +, then the settings are up to you.

I even tried a bit of forced perspective in one of these... comment below a tell me how it looks.

And we're finished! These models look great on a desk and if you have a dual extruder printer you could do them in color. They didn't take long to make on Tinkercad because it's a very simple easy to use program. I actually use it for a lot of things and if you want to see my other designs check out my Tinkercad profile.

So that's all from me, hope you enjoyed this instructable...

And see you next time!!!