How to Build a Hydraulic Skateboard Press

Most skateboards are constructed using layers of veneer that is compressed into a mold to produce their distinctive concave shape, using either an hydraulic press or similar machinery.

Bar clamps may suffice for one-off deck building projects, but for anyone attempting to produce more boards at one time a press will be necessary - the ideal choice being a hydraulic skateboard press.

1. Power

Hydraulic presses are powered by large industrial cylinders which produce enormous pressure - measured in pounds per square inch (psi), divided by the area of their cylinder in square inches to determine force in tons.

Industrial manufacturing utilizes hydraulic presses for mold creation. However, this approach requires both time and finesse in making both mold pieces work together successfully; additionally, this option can be very costly; making this only a feasible choice if producing skateboards on an industrial scale.

Making a one-sided foam mold in a thin air vacuum bag is both easier and cheaper, and allows you to customize its shape as necessary - perfect for testing new deck shapes and designs!

2. Hydraulic pump

Hydraulic pumps use mechanical energy from their driving force (a turning force) and convert it to fluid energy in the form of oil flow. There are different kinds of hydraulic pumps designed for various purposes.

Positive displacement pumps are typically employed for use in skateboard presses. They produce flow, but no pressure. To create pressure, two hydraulic pumps need to be combined together with an accompanying pressure cylinder.

Positive displacement pumps come in three main varieties: gear, vane and piston. Of these three main categories of positive displacement pumps: gear pumps are generally the easiest and most rugged but have limited maximum operating pressure capabilities; vane pumps tend to be more cost-efficient while piston pumps need special oil in order to function optimally.

3. Molds

Molds are key in creating skateboards. While most DIY skateboarders use bottle jacks for pressing their decks, if you want professional grade decks a hydraulic press is the way to go.

To build your own DIY hydraulic skateboard press, the following items will be necessary.

Assemble a box from 3/4" plywood. Drill holes into its slats according to the diagram, attaching them together using wood glue before screwing long threaded rods (5") with fender washers and nuts into position. After finishing up your box, spray down its interior with WD-40 spray to stop any potential concrete sticking issues before setting aside for future use when making your mold.

4. Hydraulic ram

Rams differ from single-acting hydraulic cylinders by having long rods that act as large diameter "pistons," creating pressure within a cylinder by protruding and retracting, creating pressure within. Once complete, it cycles back down towards its base where fluid returns back into the reservoir.

Ram pumps operate fully automatically once water has been supplied; however, initial start-up requires manual intervention - the waste valve must be pushed down several times to flush air from the system and create enough pressure in its chambers to run the pump correctly.

Homemade ram pumps such as the one shown in figure 11 consist of two moving parts - the waste valve and check valve (shown as #4 and #5, respectively in figures 11-13). Over time, either component may become worn out.

5. Safety

As with any machine, skateboard presses offer many safeguards to keep the operator safe while working on them. These may include barrier guards and control systems designed to keep accidental shutdowns to a minimum. You should always remain aware of their functioning so that when operating one safely.

Once the veneers have been assembled and placed into the mold, they are compressed for several hours to create the board's nose, tail, and concave shape. Following that step, it sits for several more hours so the glue sets naturally - this ensures a stronger, longer-lasting product without delamination issues.