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| Deck Reviews (10390 Posts)
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How To Make An Ick
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On 1/30/2006
WT
wrote in from
United States
(152.163.nnn.nnn)
I spent my 45th birthday in California at the home of Rick and Carin Howell. Rick "Ick" has been handcrafting skateboards for over 30 years (his first attempt was in shop class in high school in 1972.) He is truly an artist who works in fiberglas and foam.
Rick was kind enough to pick me up at the airport in his new Ford sporting what can only be a unique and umistakable personal license plate:
Recently I ordered some new Icks from Rick and when I arrived the first thing I saw was the "Ick Workshop" where Rick wields his magic:
These wooden templates are the various shapes needed to accurately rout out the foam core necessary as the backbone for the boards. Whether it's a standard design or a custom (like mine,) it all starts with woodcraft.
On the wall next to the workbench are what could best be described as an "archive" of Icks both past and present. Rick has more skateboard history in his garage than you could find adding up all the skate treasures on the East Coast!
Laying on the table were the "rough layups" of two of my new boards. Identified as anything from the "diamond" to the "coffin," I prefer calling my shape the "Kite Board." I missed the chance to see Rick actually rout out the foam and lay on the glas, but I was happy seeing as much work had progressed as there was when I arrived:
The core is completely wrapped in glas with the excess still around the edges. The tops are a gorgeous mirror-finish but the underside is still "raw."
Although working with traditional materials, Rick is not afraid to innovate and do what's necessary to produce a product that is as contemporary as anything else on the market, if not a little more advanced. Rick is incorporating carbon fiber reinforcement "strips" in his board that add support but don't reduce or affect the "snap" that is the trademark of an Ick's flex:
Another example of Rick thinking ahead is the manner he reinforces his boards to support the mounting hardware. When routing out the foam, he pre-drills big 1/2-inch holes in the foam. Then when laying up the glas he fills these holes with solid fibreglas and carbon material. This provides solid footing for the hardware without the possibility of crushing the foam:
It's important, though, when ordering your Ick to be specific about wheelbases and drilling options. Just poking holes into the Ick later might miss the footing and you'll run the risk of crushing the board if you crank down too hard with the nut and bolt.
The mounting holes are prepared next. Rick has a custom tool for always getting the holes square and straight in his boards. He's quite proud of the little doohickey that Tay Hunt's father worked up for him many years ago. It's easy to use and works like a charm:
This closeup shows the guides and lock nut assembly that keeps it all in place on the slider bar:
After drilling, a grease pencil is used to draw out the shape of the board on top. The edge of the board is wider than the foam core, so getting this done accurately and square is imperative:
Rick is working on two boards at once. He was a little concerned when he realized he only had a RED grease pencil to scribe out a RED board. Fortunately, digging around the shop he found a black one and work proceded apace:
Next up is the rough cut. Rick moves outdoors for better ventilation and gets his grinding wheel tool to shape out the board. He runs the wheel just to the outside of the pencil line so as not to cut too deep into the shape:
After getting the rough shape, the sander comes out to finish off the edge down to the pencil line. Rick worked the sander like a sculptor works a chisel. He never let up, bore down or took his eye off the edge. To go all the way around both boards and create a perfect rail took about 10 minutes for each one:
Next up was sanding and finishing the bottom. Again, Rick worked both the sanding wheel and hand sanding with a finesse and ease I can't begin to match. When he was finished after less than 10 minutes on both boards the unpainted bottom and rails were perfect and without a flaw:
That night the weather and climate conditions were perfect for the final coat for the bottom of the boards. Rick is fanatical about no wind, no dust floating in the air, perfect humidity and ideal conditions for working on his boards. If it's not just right, he won't work. It seems in business today there is a motto of, "there's never enough time to do it, but there's always enough time to do it twice." Rick doesn't lets impatience get in the way of producing a stellar board. I should have these two beauties at the house by the end of the week:
Oh, and now Rick has to start all over again with two more for me: a medium flex and firm flex edition of his 37" swallow tail long boards. One will be California Gold and the other British Racing Green. I can't wait for the end result!
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42" Scramjet
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On 1/30/2006
Sean C.
wrote in from
United States
(167.206.nnn.nnn)
hey guys, anybody know the board specs on the 42" scramjet? Type of flex? Any camber? Concave? I'm thinking about getting one for a long distance pumper...
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fast is my life
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On 1/29/2006
jonathan
wrote in from
United States
(67.142.nnn.nnn)
went down pepper street in El cajon today if you guys know were that is if not to bad, got up to speeds about 50 mph with my friend, crouched the whole way down and drafted of of his board to pass himm at straight away, any comments or if you have done that hill before lets talk. Later Bro's
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bombing hills kicks ass
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On 1/29/2006
jonathan
wrote in from
United States
(67.142.nnn.nnn)
I have a bola by sector nine its narley, randall II's 150's (want to get 180's) with sector nine 76 mm 75 a wheels (want to get krptonics), abec 5's (want to get gumballs or swiss bones), and half inch riser pads (thinking of taking them off). This board is sick going down phat hills in El cajon with my friends. Have any advice to making my board faster and steel not having speed wobbles i would like to know. Im seriouse with this sport and will keep bombimg hills till im dead. Dont question and fear any hill, just bomb it if you trust you board, i do. so bomb away bro's
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Deck ofr Sliding
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On 1/29/2006
Michael
wrote in from
United Kingdom
(87.115.nnn.nnn)
Take a look at Clif Colemans forum for a peek at his deck, I think that might fit the bill for your sliding needs.
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Recomend a Deck
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On 1/29/2006
Mike
wrote in from
United States
(71.130.nnn.nnn)
Hello!
I used to come to the ncdsa.com forums back in 1998 to about 2002. Looks like its still the same good ol' forums.
Well i have been out of the current longboarding scene since about then, but always do bomb some hills or carve something if i see something nice.
Anyways, I need some deck recomendations. I have had plenty of decks in the past, such as a 48" Fluid Pintail deck to a dogtown classic deck. Well, as of now I only have one deck left, a sector 9 cosmic 2 (flexy one).
The only trucks i have are Randal speed trucks from way back when. I used to own some Randal II's and loved them. Looking to buy another pair.
I would like some recomendations on some sliding decks! I used to do it all the time. At one point i even made some cool gloves riveted to a cutting board. Worked awesome!
So basically give me some good decks idas for sliding, i tend to like concave decks the best.
Thanks
-Mike
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Alien workshop
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On 1/27/2006
damasta
wrote in from
United States
(68.37.nnn.nnn)
YO man Alien worshops are the best decks. they have the best pop and they are pretty damn light. i have a jason dill signature series. best deck eva
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Exkate Viper 44 "
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On 1/26/2006 Jose
wrote in from
Venezuela
(200.93.nnn.nnn)
Hi !
Please somebody who can give me advice for the Exkate Viper 44" deck.
Also want to know about the Flexdex 41 " Pro.
Thanks,
JRA
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ICK
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On 1/17/2006
ICK BOY
wrote in from
United States
(24.131.nnn.nnn)
Miko, Nice Ick.
I still need to get a 37"... maybe this summer!
Hope you are doing well. I remember you mentioning Whole Foods last time I saw you... i now live a block away from one, it rocks!
Henry
Ps Greg Pinch, I designed those stickers and I know they suck. Sadly, im too busy to attempt to improve on them. The Howells have the classic ICK sticker designs with them which are far better.
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newbie deck
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On 1/13/2006 matt
wrote in from
United States
(68.45.nnn.nnn)
im about 125-130 and growin fast
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newbie deck
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On 1/13/2006 Dave G
wrote in from
United States
(207.69.nnn.nnn)
How much you weigh?? I'll send a good hunk o' wood I want the mostest to start the shtuff
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Slalom deck
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On 1/13/2006
matt
wrote in from
United States
(68.45.nnn.nnn)
hey, im lookin for a good starter slalom deck. i would like it to be fairly cheap. i have the trucks, wheels and bearing. i need help on wut kind of riser to use(angle or staight and how to position them). could you give me some suggestion and links for wut to get and use. also could you email me some info
THank you
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Landyachtz Lil Thug
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On 1/12/2006
Brad
wrote in from
United States
(24.98.nnn.nnn)
Just set up a Lil Thug with Carver CX trucks, 1/2" soft risers, 3DM Cambria 62mm Road Rider Red wheels, and it's the best street cruiser I've owned. Crazy carving and just the right flex for me at 170 pounds. I strongly suggest this setup if you are in my weight range. Enjoy.
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insect DH
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On 1/12/2006
Paul Steuri
wrote in from
United States
(205.127.nnn.nnn)
I would love to do that, but I only can spend like 150 at most!
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DH/carving decks
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On 1/11/2006
greg pinch
wrote in from
Canada
(70.26.nnn.nnn)
Also have a look at Insect for dh decks as well. I had Steve at Insect make me a custom drop through DH deck with a layer of Carbon Fibre. It's a work of art !!
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DH board
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On 1/11/2006
Paul Steuri
wrote in from
United States
(207.200.nnn.nnn)
What is a good beginner downhill/speedboard that can still turn, do some mild carving, and slide with my downhill setup (randall DH and 85mm kryptos) I like the big red x, a few kebbek boards, and rayne, what do you think? Also I think I'm going to buy a kebbek smoothcut, but I dont really like the way it looks, but its only $80, when most speedboards are around $100! Has anyone tried a kebbek smoothcut?
PLEASE write back with advice!
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Dreggs
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On 1/10/2006
jaybyrd
wrote in from
Mexico
(207.17.nnn.nnn)
Kris,
I agree with Eddy. I bought a 44" Maggi for my son 6 months ago and it is really good! Untill my crash I had been riding a 60" and 48" homemade, but after buying the Dreggs I was spending equal time with it since we have it set up with Randal 180's and Gravity sliders. All in all it is an all around fun deck.
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Dregs
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On 1/9/2006
Eddy
wrote in from
United States
(24.175.nnn.nnn)
Kris a while back I asked the same question to Joe L from Timeship Racing. He was more than happy to share his knowledge. I ride a Dregs Alpine it is 46 inches long, the right amount of concave, very stable, no extremely stable at speed. I liked it so much I bought another one. One is set up with Randal DHs and big Manx wheels, the other has Randal 180s and Avilas. These boards are very durable. Your Amigo Eddy Texas Outlaws.
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Dregs
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On 1/7/2006 Kris
wrote in from
United States
(209.247.nnn.nnn)
Are Dregs Longboards good boards? How good are they? Whatever info you might have on Dregs would be appericated.
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Decks for you
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On 1/6/2006 Greg Pinch
wrote in from
Canada
(70.26.nnn.nnn)
What style of deck are you after?
If you are looking for a popsicle deck have a look at Girl skateboards.
www.girlskateboards.com
If you want a longboard there are a number of great companies out there such as Insect, Landyachtz, Sector 9 etc....
Are you afetr a slalom deck?
What is your budget?
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Which deck is the best?
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On 1/5/2006
Sara
wrote in from
United States
(209.247.nnn.nnn)
Heyy, I'm a pretty new skater, and use a long board right now (it was given to me). I was wondering what the best deck to get for just basic skating...maybe a few flips and stuff. I dont know if it really matters, but I'm a girl. I really just want it for transporation, so if you guys know what the best for me to get that would be awomse.
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how to make your own skateboard deck at your house
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On 12/28/2005
cole cleveland
wrote in from
United States
(68.14.nnn.nnn)
what type of wood do you use to make a deck what type of material and what do you use to shape it where can you buy this stuf at
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new board
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On 12/18/2005 eddie
wrote in from
United States
(64.132.nnn.nnn)
its time. im ordering a landyachtz evo today. youve got 4 hours to stop me. i want a super flexy board. but i want an evo too.
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Cool baseplates
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On 12/17/2005
greg pinch
wrote in from
Canada
(70.26.nnn.nnn)
Ahhh....very cool baseplates.
Thanks for the link. That skate retailer has lots of cool stuff !!
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