How to Motorize a Skateboard
Skateboarding is wonderful exercise and is the founding father of the extreme-sports craze. Among the many modifications that can are possible, standard skateboards can be motorized to give them a little more get-up-and-go. Of course, adding a powerful motor to anything can be an accident waiting to to happen if you don't know what you're doing. This article will show you how to motorize a skateboard while still keeping it safe for even younger children to ride.
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Things You'll Need
- Skateboard
- 9.6 volt (at minimum) battery-operated drill
- Schedule 40 PVC pipe; 25" long, 1/2" diameter
- Two Schedule 40 PVC joints (90- degree)
- Rubber wheel (large)
- Cable ties
- Screwdrivers
- Saw
Instructions
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1
Using your screwdriver, remove the front right wheel from the axle of the skateboard you wish to motorize.
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2
Loosen the chuck jaws on your battery-operated drill so that the opening is wide enough to fit on the exposed axle.
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3
Once you cannot push the axle in any further, tighten the chuck jaws of the battery-operated drill, making it very tight.
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4
Slide the large rubber wheel over the handle of the drill until it is over the chuck jaw. It should fit snugly and be roughly the same distance from the deck of the skateboard as the other wheels.
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5
Put the pieces of PVC pipe together.
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6
Set the long end of the PVC assembly across the deck of the skateboard, with the curved end facing the front and lined up with the handle of the drill. Secure the PVC pipe by affixing cable ties to the long PVC pipe and to the deck of the skateboard.
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7
Insert the handle of the drill under the PVC joint.
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8
Pull the trigger of the drill to propel the skateboard forward. Use your hands and feet to turn the skateboard.
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Tips & Warnings
Experiment with other powered drills to see how fast you can make your skateboard go.
Glue some strong rope to the drill trigger so it can pulled to propel the board, to allow for a more natural feel when riding.
Always use caution when using power tools, to avoid injury.
When riding, always wear a helmet and other safety equipment.
