Thanks guys for sharing useful tips. Plastic skateboards aren’t always useless. While they are limited in functionality compared to wooden boards, that doesn’t mean they don’t work. They are still better than cheap skateboard decks or free skateboard decks.

According to Straits Research, “The global injection molding machines market size had a market share of USD 10,724 million in 2021, expected to advance to USD 16,964 million with a CAGR of 5.9% during the forecast period.” Injection molding is an automated process in which an automatic tool operates efficiently on an injection molding machine. Machines and robots perform the majority of injection molding. These persons are solely accountable for overseeing and managing the process. This automation reduces the labor costs of the process. This drop in labor expenditure is predicted to reduce the cost of manufacturing plastic components. In addition, injection molding can make many identical components every hour.

I guess the properties of the specific wood used and the orientation of the grain is key for making a skateboard. Google the basic trick called “Ollie”, which is basically a jump initiated by a kick on the tail end and a complex shifting of body weight and footwork. The board will flex quite a lot (way back then a friend got hold of a camera that could record at a whopping 200 frames/sec or so and we had much fun doing ultra slo-mo recordings – at the time when VHS was king). Much like on a bow the board does bend and spring back, giving off the energy put into it by the flexing part. I agree that the “injection molding for the masses using recycled plastics” is a great thing, and I would love to have access to such a machine. I just dont think that “real” skateboards are an application for such a process. For kiddie boards that are just used to cruise around it WILL work, there are plenty of plastic boards around.

If you gonna buy one of these I’d strike a deal with Jason first.. like if it breaks..in less than 1 month he has to melt it down again and make you a new deck at cost ‘cos I think these are perhaps still at the prototype stage.

Maybe I was just unlucky the way it came out of the mold? Am willing to work with Jason but he says he won’t talk to me anymore because I said to him ‘Oh come on man don’t be a nurd’.. heh

It doesn’t really matter that it’s not 100% the same ride quality as wood, the point is to reuse waste plastic that would normally go into the ocean or a landfill. Making home injection molding more accessible to the average consumer is a great way to create demand for waste plastic and reduce the amount we throw away, as otherwise we’re solely dependent on big business to eliminate plastic waste. And they’re not motivated by environmental concerns, they’re motivated by money, which is how we ended up with the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in the first place.

March 12, 2024 10:35 ET | Source: Straits Research Private Limited - Reed Intelligence Straits Research Private Limited - Reed Intelligence

Dumb question, aren’t the boards glued or sealed with something? If that something is like epoxy resin or another plastic/non-bio degrading material, won’t it also create microplastic?

Plastic also starts out stiff and loses strength over time with use. And it doesn’t have to be a completely plastic board, you could modify the properties of the plastic by mixing in some fiberglass or wood, or mold in some sort of frame or reinforcement.

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Why wood aint wood pony for slides anyway (I think you mean boardslides not grinds?)? I mean yeh most slides are done on wood.. cos skateboards are generally made of wood.. but that doesn’t mean wood is good.. I thought wood was too grippy and everything has to be waxed up all the time..

Lots of folks don’t care about tricks on a board at all anyway – its just a fun way to get around. I did play a little with grinding myself but mostly I just enjoyed the speed and balance challenge of romping around on one (was always more of a two wheel fan though)…

Europe will hold the second largest market share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.9% during the forecast period. Due to their high quality and energy efficiency, there has been a surge in the usage of all-electric injection molding machines in Europe. In addition, major market participants are spending considerable effort to deliver injection molding machines that fulfill the requirements of their clients by supplying customized and machine-type-based machines. Europe's economic expansion has led to a larger consumer market, indirectly benefiting the injection-molded plastics industry. In addition, the growth of the packaging, automotive, and electrical appliance industries is expected to increase the need for injection-molded plastics, boosting the market for injection molding equipment in Europe.

Utilizing injection molding machinery permits the actual mass production of injection-molded plastic components. The injection molding machine is the most effective and energy-efficient way of mass-producing plastic products. The rise of the global injection molding machines market is propelled by the multiple qualities of injection molding machines, such as their durability, user-friendliness, higher manufacturing rates and rapid production, and high quality. Rapidly increasing industrial investment and robust demand for injection-molded polymers in the automotive and healthcare industries are driving the expansion of the global injection molding machine market. In addition, industry leaders' manufacturing of energy-efficient, fully automated injection molding equipment stimulates the expansion of the injection molding market. Market participants provide injection molding machines in numerous sizes and designs to meet customers' needs.

Hey Johnny, thanks for the feedback! We have tested all of the common recyclable plastic types and got validation from skaters say the feeling of PP (Polypropylene) has a very close feeling to Canadian Maple. Its also worth mentioning that our project is not trying to replace the wooden deck completely, we know it will always hold a special place in the hearts of seasoned skaters. Our project is about expanding accessibility, to people who live in situations of hardship, and normally would not be able to afford a deck. For many, having a deck that performs 95% as good as a wooden deck, is better than having no deck atall