Customizing Your Skateboard: Adding Nose and Rails

As an avid skateboarder, you're always looking for ways to customize your board to suit your unique riding style. One of the most important components to consider is the nose and rails of your skateboard. In this article, we'll explore how to add custom nose and rails to your board using DesignSpark Mechanical software.

To start, make sure you have a good understanding of CAD software or are willing to learn. While it's not necessary to be an expert, having some familiarity with CAD will help you navigate the process more easily. First, import the contour image of your skateboard's tail using the Insert->File button in the ribbon (Design tab). This will serve as the base for modeling your custom tail guard.

The first step is to get the outline of your skateboard's tail. You can use any software that has good 2D spline drawing capability, or you can stick with DesignSpark Mechanical. Once you have the outline, make sure to leave at least a 1mm clearance between the end of the screw and the bottom of the tail guard, as well as ensuring that the screw length is greater than the minimum tail guard thickness (1.9mm in this case), deck thickness, and nut height.

To add the nose and rails, you'll need the following components:

* Your longboard or skateboard

* Two M5 nylon stop nuts to avoid releasing the screws due to vibrations

Follow these steps to create your custom tail guard:

1. Open DesignSpark Mechanical and import the contour image of your skateboard's tail.

2. Use the software to create a 3D model of your custom tail guard, taking into account the dimensions and requirements mentioned earlier.

3. Once you have the 3D model, export it as an STL file.

4. Print the STL file using a 3D printer.

To ride with confidence and control, make sure to practice nose manuals and rail slides regularly. As you turn, pivot off your nose while bringing the back end around in the direction of your toes. Experiment with frontside kickturns off the nose, using your arms and hips to maintain balance and pull the nose manual out to greater distances.

Remember that it's okay to go too far at first – it's all part of learning where that perfect balance is. Start by rolling slowly on a smooth surface, keeping your knees slightly bent and raising your elbows up and away from your sides. Press down on the nose so that the tail rises up, and maintain control as you navigate through turns.

By following these steps and tips, you'll be able to customize your skateboard with custom nose and rails, giving you more confidence and control as you ride. So why not give it a try? With DesignSpark Mechanical and some basic CAD knowledge, you can create a unique and functional tail guard that's tailored specifically to your riding style.

Skateboard rails and nose