How to Make a Flowboard

Flowboards depend on 14 wheels on two angled axles for their "flow."

A flowboard is a piece of equipment used for the sport that shares the same name – flowboarding. Constructing a flowboard involves using two sets of seven wheels mounted on a pair of curved rods on opposite ends of a deck or baseboard of a skateboard. The angled axles or trucks come with bearings, hardware, spacers and wheels. The axle configuration enables a rider to rock back and forth while maneuvering the board and getting sufficient surface traction. Components are available from skateboard sellers and you can buy the board predesigned or raw. A hexagonal-head wrench is used to mount the truck onto the board.

Things You'll Need

• A baseboard (preferably maple)
• Sandpaper
• Screwdrivers
• Two sets of arch-on-wheel trucks
• Grip tape
• Hexagonal-head wrench

Instructions

1. Choose a good-sized symmetrical seven-ply maple board and cut it into a concave-shaped deck. Smooth the sides by sanding. Embellish it with your own designs. If you don’t regularly do some woodwork, buy a premade board in a skateboard store.

2. Lay flat sticky-backed grip tape on the top side of the deck. Use a roller to eliminate air pockets that form while laying the grip tape flat. Poke holes through it to coincide with the mounting screw positions.

3. Screw on riser or shock pads on the underside opposite ends where the trucks are to be configured.

4. Mount two sets of arch-on-wheel trucks on opposite ends of the board deck atop the riser pads. Keep a larger distance between the edge of the deck and the truck for the front end of the flowboard. Adjust the height of the trucks depending on your preference.

Tips & Warnings

• Tilt wheels should be of reliable quality to take the rocking motion of the board. This is especially important when you need to replace them after they wear out.

• Flowboard sellers carry various brands of the different elements of a flowboard. Choose what suits you best.

• Hard maple is the best material for the deck, since it takes on a good finish when sanded. Applying a clear coat produces a glass-like surface. However, because of its toughness, use only sharp cutting tools made of carbide.

• Be sure the screws lie flush and flat at the top of the deck. Loose screws can cause accidents.

• Check the flowboard for safety before riding.

References

• Freeboard Site: Freeboard Versus Flowboard
• Flipside USA: Flowboard Complete