How Skateboards Are Made

Summary

The video script details the eco-friendly skateboard manufacturing process, starting with cutting and grading veneers from logs. Clean veneers become face layers, while those with defects are used in the core. Natural veneers are sanded for painted decks, while dyed veneers are soaked in a pressurized vat for color penetration. Laminated with water-based PVA glue, boards are cold pressed for strength. CNC machines increase efficiency in cutting and shaping, and all scrap wood is recycled. The finishing process involves water-based clear coats and heat transfers for graphics, emphasizing worker safety and environmental sustainability.

Takeaways

• 🌳 The wood used for skateboards comes in log run form, requiring peeling and grading to determine the placement on the skateboard.
• 🎨 Clean veneers are used for the top and bottom face veneers, while those with small defects are placed in the middle of the deck.
• 🛠️ The production process includes sanding, dyeing, and lamination, with a focus on using environmentally friendly materials and processes.
• 💧 Dyeing involves soaking veneers in a pressurized vessel with hot water and color, followed by drying in a large oven.
• 🔗 The use of PVA glue, which is water-based, is preferred over toxic alternatives for lamination.
• 🏗️ Cold pressing is used to create stronger boards, despite the higher investment in machinery compared to hot pressing.
• ⏱️ The curing process for the skateboards takes at least one week after pressing to ensure the glue is fully set.
• 🤖 CNC machines are utilized for increased efficiency in cutting and shaping the skateboards, reducing manual labor.
• 🔄 Scrap wood and other waste products are recycled, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability.
• 🎨 The graphics on the skateboards are created using water-based inks and heat transfers, which are then fused onto the deck.
• 🏷️ After a final quality check, skateboards are packaged with stickers and shipped to distributors worldwide.

Q & A

What form does the wood initially come in for skateboard production?

The wood comes in log run form, meaning it is in the form of peeled veneers from the mill before being cut to size and graded.

How are the veneers graded for skateboard construction?

The veneers are graded so that the cleanest ones are used as face veneers on the top and bottom, while those with small defects end up in the middle of the deck.

What type of veneers are used for a painted skateboard deck?

For a painted deck, all natural veneers are used, including the faces, which are sanded during the process.

How is the dyeing process for skateboard veneers carried out?

The veneers are soaked in a vat of hot water mixed with the specified color, then placed in a pressurized vessel where the colored water penetrates the veneer. Afterward, the colored wet veneer is dried in a 50-ft oven.

What type of glue is used for laminating the skateboard veneers?

A water-based PVA glue is used for lamination, avoiding the use of epoxy or toxic chromium-based catalysts.

What is the difference between cold pressing and hot pressing in skateboard production?

Cold pressing makes the strongest board as the glue slowly dries and cures under pressure for 1 hour. Hot pressing, on the other hand, takes only 2 minutes and weakens the wood.

Why is there a higher investment in machinery for cold pressing compared to hot pressing?

Cold pressing requires more presses to achieve the same volume as one hot press, but it results in stronger boards, which is why the higher investment is made.

How does the use of CNC machines improve the skateboard production process?

CNC machines increase efficiency by drilling holes, cutting shapes, and rounding edges all in one step, ensuring accuracy and reducing the physical strain on workers.

What is done with the scrap wood and other waste products from the skateboard production?

All scrap wood is recycled and made into particle board, and almost every other waste product from production is also recycled.

What type of clear coat is used in the spray line, and why is it preferred?

A water-based clear coat is used instead of solvent-based, which is more worker and environmentally friendly and also sprays at the highest efficiency.

How are the graphics applied to the skateboard decks?

The graphics are printed on plastic in reverse using water-based inks, one color at a time. After all colors are printed and dried, the transfers are bonded to the finished deck using heat and pressure.

What is the final step in the skateboard production process before shipping?

After a final quality check, the decks are shrink-wrapped with stickers and other items, then boxed and shipped to brands for distribution worldwide.

Outlines

00:00

🛠️ Skateboard Deck Production Process

The script outlines the meticulous process of skateboard deck production, starting from the selection of wood in log run form. The peeled veneers are cut to size, graded, and sorted for quality, with the cleanest veneers used for the top and bottom face layers. Defective veneers are utilized in the middle of the deck. The process includes sanding natural veneers for painted decks and dyeing others in a pressurized vessel with hot, colored water. After drying, veneers are prepared for lamination using a water-based PVA glue, which is spread and stacked before cold pressing for strength. The cold press method, though more labor-intensive and costly, is preferred for its quality over hot pressing. Once pressed, decks cure for a week before being cut and shaped using CNC machines for precision. The company emphasizes efficiency and worker-friendly machinery, recycling all scrap wood and waste products. The finishing touches include sanding, applying a water-based clear coat, and printing heat transfers with water-based inks for graphics. The final product undergoes a quality check before being packaged and shipped worldwide.

Keywords

💡Veneer

A veneer refers to a thin slice of wood that is peeled or cut from a log. In the context of the video, veneers are used to construct skateboard decks. The process involves peeling the veneers, grading them for quality, and using them in specific layers of the skateboard. The cleanest veneers are used as face veneers on the top and bottom, while those with small defects are placed in the middle of the deck.

💡Grading

Grading is the process of evaluating and categorizing materials based on their quality. In the video, veneers are graded to determine their suitability for different parts of the skateboard. This ensures that the highest quality veneers are used for the most visible parts of the deck, while those with minor defects are utilized in less visible areas, optimizing both aesthetics and structural integrity.

💡Lamination

Lamination is the process of bonding layers of material together. In the context of skateboard manufacturing, veneers are laminated using a water-based PVA glue. This process involves spreading the glue on the veneers, stacking them, and then pressing them together. Cold pressing is highlighted in the video as a superior method to hot pressing, as it results in stronger boards without weakening the wood.

💡CNC Machines

CNC, which stands for Computer Numerical Control, refers to machines that are controlled by computers to perform various manufacturing tasks with high precision. The video mentions the use of CNC machines for drilling holes, cutting shapes, and rounding edges of the skateboard decks. This technology increases efficiency and accuracy, reducing the need for manual labor and ensuring consistent quality.

💡Recycling

Recycling in the video pertains to the practice of reusing waste materials to create new products. The company recycles scrap wood into particle board and aims to recycle other waste products from their production process. This demonstrates a commitment to environmental sustainability and resource conservation.

💡Water-Based

The term 'water-based' is used in the video to describe certain types of materials and processes that use water as a solvent or carrier instead of more harmful chemicals. For example, the video mentions the use of water-based glue for lamination and water-based inks for printing graphics. This choice reflects a preference for environmentally friendly and worker-safe materials.

💡Pressurized Vessel

A pressurized vessel is a closed container designed to withstand high pressures. In the video, a pressurized vessel is used in the dyeing process for veneers. The veneers are soaked in hot, colored water under pressure, which helps the color penetrate throughout the veneer evenly.

💡Cold Pressing

Cold pressing is a method of applying pressure without heat to bond materials together. The video emphasizes that the company uses cold pressing for their skateboard decks, which allows the glue to cure slowly under pressure, resulting in a stronger bond compared to hot pressing.

💡Efficiency

Efficiency in the context of the video refers to the effectiveness and productivity of the manufacturing process. The company invests in machinery like CNC machines to increase efficiency, reduce labor, and ensure consistent quality in the skateboard decks produced.

💡Heat Transfers

Heat transfers are a method of applying graphics to a surface using heat and pressure. The video describes a process where graphics are printed on plastic in reverse using water-based inks, then transferred onto the skateboard deck at high temperatures. This technique fuses the ink to the deck, leaving the graphic behind once the plastic carrier is released.

💡Quality Control

Quality control is the process of ensuring that products meet certain standards of quality before they are released. The video mentions a final quality check where decks are inspected before being wrapped and shipped. This step is crucial to maintain the company's reputation for producing high-quality skateboard decks.

Highlights

Wood comes in log run form, requiring cutting and grading to determine placement on the skateboard.

Cleanest veneers are used for the top and bottom face veneers of the skateboard.

Veneers with defects are utilized in the middle layer of the skateboard deck.

Grading of veneers ensures they are processed according to grade and specified layup.

Painted decks use all-natural veneers, including sanded faces.

Most decks feature dyed veneers, achieved by soaking in a vat of hot, colored water.

Colored veneers are dried in a 50-ft oven after dyeing.

Veneers are sanded and prepared for lamination using a water-based PVA glue.

Cold pressing is used for the strongest board, taking longer but avoiding weakening the wood.

Investment in cold pressing machinery is higher due to the need for more presses.

Decks cure for at least one week before cutting, ensuring optimal strength.

CNC machines are used for increased efficiency in drilling holes, cutting shapes, and rounding edges.

Investment in machinery aims to increase efficiency and reduce manual labor.

All scrap wood is recycled into particle board, emphasizing environmental responsibility.

Bladder sanding is precise but requires skill and finesse.

Water-based clear coat is used for the spray line, contrasting with solvent-based alternatives.

Efficient equipment ensures clear coat application is precise and environmentally friendly.

Heat transfers for graphics are printed using water-based inks on plastic.

Quality checks are performed after each color is printed and dried.

Heat transfer bonding fuses the ink and clear coat under high temperature and pressure.

Top heat transfers and laser engravings are additional finishing options for decks.

Final quality checks ensure decks meet the highest standards before packaging.

Decks are shrink-wrapped with stickers and shipped worldwide.

The company prides itself on producing high-quality decks with environmental and worker considerations.

Transcripts

our wood comes in log run form meaning

that we get peeled veneers from the mill

and have to cut it to size and grade

everything to determine which part of

the skateboard that particular piece

will end up at the cleanest veneers end

up on the top and bottom as face veneers

the veneers with small defects end up in

the middle of the deck these two are

grading the veneers so that they can be

processed according to grade and

specified layup a painted deck will use

all natural veneers including faces

which are being sanded here the majority

of decks however have dyed veneers to

dye the veneers we soak them into a vat

of hot water mixed with the specified

color the vat is placed in a pressurized

vessel where the colored water will

penetrate throughout the veneer then the

colored wet veneer is dried in a 50-ft

oven the faces are sanded at the back

end of the dryer after this the veneers

are now prepped for

lamination here the worker is sending

the through a glue spreader we use a PVA

glue that is water-based we would never

use an epoxy or toxic chromium based

Catalyst like most of our competition

the glued veneers are stacked on the

back side of the spreader four boards

High our decks are cold pressed which

ultimately makes the strongest board the

glue slowly dries and cures under

pressure for 1 hour as opposed to hot

pressing which takes 2 minutes and

weakens the wood in the process the

investment in Machinery to cold press is

much more than hot pressing because we

need much more presses to get the same

volume as one hot press but we wouldn't

have it any other way once the decks

come out of the press they will continue

to cure stacked for at least one week

before

cutting we have taken a lot of the labor

out with CNC machines where the holes

are drilled the shape is cut and the

edges are rounded all in one step one of

our company's theories is to invest

money into Machinery that will increase

efficiency and these machines have met

their objective the shapes are as

accurate as the program that is sent to

the machine no more varying shapes due

to hand cut templates or hand routed

boards it also makes it easier on the

workers hand routing to round the edges

over is very hard on the wrist and is

now a matter of loading the decks and

pressing a button all of our scrap wood

is recycled and made into particle board

we also recycle just about every other

waste product from our

production bladder sanding is easier

because of the accuracy of the CNC but

still requires the most technique and

finesse of any of our processes here the

worker continues to round and smooth the

edges all the while checking his

work this sander Smooths the surface and

edges one more time before finishing the

clear coat we use in our spray line is

water-based as opposed to solvent based

which virtually all of our competitors

use in Mexico the USA or China if we

have the option at any point in our

production we will use the most worker

and environmentally friendly material

possible

our equipment also sprays at the highest

efficiency possible meaning our clear

coat ends up on the board and not in the

air that we breathe or the spray booth

filters at the other end of the plant we

print heat transfers the graphics are

printed on plastic in Reverse using you

guessed it water-based inks one color at

a time when all the colors are printed

and dried these girls check for Quality

and pass the transfers onto the

transferring

department at this machine we Bond the

transfers to the finished deck the blue

roller at 400° F rolls the deck in

transfers Under Pressure softening both

the ink and clear coat to the point that

they fuse together the plastic that we

use to make the heat transfers will

release from the fused ink leaving that

graphic on the deck some decks get a top

heat transfer as well While others might

get a laser engraving like this one

after a final quality check we shrink

wrap the deck with stickers and other

cool stuff the decks are are boxed and

shipped to the brands who distribute

them all over the world we believe that

we make the best quality decks on the

market and do it all with the

environment and workers in

[Music]

mind