How to Set Up a Street Luge Board

The street luge has been around for years, but only recently have you been able to purchase a luge in the store. Before that, all street luges were made by their riders, as are most of the best luges today. In some ways, the luge is the natural evolution of the old soapbox derby racers. Only now, the speed is greatly increased.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sheet Metal
• Nuts And Bolts
• Saws
• Measuring Tapes
• 2-by-4 Boards
• 8 Skateboard Wheels
• Metal Conduit
• Plywood
• Variable-speed Drills
• 2 Skateboard Trucks

1. Remember during each and every phase of your construction that you will be traveling as fast as a car on this little vehicle, with minimal protection. Do not cut corners or take its construction lightly.

2. Search the Web for other versions of luge construction to get a more rounded idea of the possibilities for your street luge.

3. Have someone help you measure your body in sections: feet to bottom of your butt, bottom of butt to your shoulders, and shoulders to your head.

4. Draw a detailed plan for your luge. Start with a simple sketch and then a more complex one, including the lengths of your sections and the placement of bolts and other materials. This will give you a good idea of the materials you will need.

5. Gather and compile your materials. This will include: two skateboard trucks, eight hard skateboard wheels with bearings, a sturdy 2-by-4 (several inches longer than your height), various nuts and bolts, plywood or sheet metal, and electical conduit tubing for your seat and foot pegs. You will also need tools, such as a saw and drill.

6. Cut the 2-by-4 into three sections - each a couple of inches longer than each section of you body. The extra inches will allow you to overlap and attach the pieces.

7. Fasten the leg and head sections to the torso section, first by overlapping them a few inches, then by connecting them with two bolts each. Note that the head and leg sections are on the "top."

8. Mount two skateboard trucks to the wood base using long skateboard truck bolts. One side of each truck should be bolted to each length of 2-by-4. One truck should be just below where your head will rest, and the other should go just past the connection of the torso and leg section, attached to the leg section.

9. Measure where the foot pegs will go by lying alongside the luge and marking the 2-by-4 at the end of each foot. Drill holes through the 2-by-4 widthwise and insert 10 inches of electrical conduit (or similar metal tubing) into each hole. These will serve as foot pegs while you are riding.

10. Construct a seat that is almost as large as your torso section, and attach it with bolts. There are many possibilities for seat construction: One is to simply shape a piece of plywood and cut handholds into it. Another is to use sheet metal attached to a bent piece of electical conduit.

11. Cut handholds near the base of your seat. These are very important for steering. Look at other luge constructions for seat ideas - and don't forget the mighty power of duct tape.

12. Pad you seat with old carpet padding or a similar material. Also consider padding the back of your headrest, but remember that you'll be wearing a helmet.

13. Attach your wheels (with bearings) to your trucks.

14. Begin to fine-tune any rough aspects of your street luge. Test it out gradually, and improve on it constantly until you feel it is time to make a whole new one.

15. Remember that making your first street luge is to some extent just a learning process. What you learn in the making of your first luge, will carry over into the making of your second and third luge until you are a high-tech luge maker.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to get really high-tech, use airplane aluminum instead of plywood. It's lighter and studier but harder to work with (i.e., you need to know how to weld).
• The wider the trucks you use, the better.
• Harder wheels go faster but have less traction on the turn.
• The more you plan and research before you begin, the better your luge will turn out.
• Be careful using power tools.
• Street luge is extrememly dangerous. Always wear proper protection when riding.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!

on 11/22/2005 Although most people think that wider trucks are better... you have to take into consideration the fact that wider trucks take a longer time to turn with. Normal trucks have a better responce to turning, but just don't turn as far.

on 11/22/2005 When I (we) started making luge boards, we started with the material we were comfortable with - steel. If you're more at home with timber or aluminum, make your first luge board out of that material. We have since made luge boards out of just about any suitable material (a few failures out of unsuitable material). Make sure the material is strong enough. Light luge boards are great - until they fail. The result could be a fast trip down the hill with no wheels under you. Ouch! Once you have made a few, the luge boards should be looking good (as long as you learn from your mistakes).

on 11/22/2005 When making a street luge, the main rail should be straight. After you cut the pieces, clamp them to a long straight piece of timber or steel before drilling or welding the sections together. This will help to keep the finished luge true and make it roll straight.