Concrete does not set by drying. It sets by wetting. If it stays wet, it will continue to get stronger over time. The longer it stays wet the stronger it gets. If a concrete surface dries too quickly, it will be crumbly and flaky. Spray your fresh concrete with a mist of water daily. You'll find that after a few days it stops absorbing water and dries really quickly, even in the shade. At that point it will be properly set. If your habit is to put a fresh block in the sun and just bake it for days, it will make it much weaker than if you kept it damp.
Dude, The mold looks amazing! Have you heard of foam cement? Might help make the molds lighter and eliminate bubbles. I think it is just as hard and sets quicker.
Yeah, it’s a bit much, but previous molds cracked and broke with less so we thought, “this time we’re making it with lots of rebar!” We haven’t cracked or broken a mold with this method so we’re just going to keep doing it.
You guys did a awesome job. Should get a lot of use out of it. Was kinda surprised you said about making a wood one later. Wouldn't the concrete mold be more stable long term? Not that wood moment is that crazy but the stuff moves a bit.
We have both types - wood and concrete in our presses. If made correctly and used in a press that doesn't flex/bend under pressure, a concrete mold will last a really long time. My guess is longer than wood. It's all personal preference and cost can be a deciding factor as well.
Just curious, did you do the same rebar cage for the second piece? And why no mounting bolts? Love your vids and am about to start making my first mold. Thank you soooo much for your vid’s! Very informative and practically a step-by-step for knuckleheads like me
Yes, rebar cages on both molds. We suspended the unshown cage with rebar tie wire screwed to the outside of the box and once the concrete setup, we cut off the wire sticking out. No mounting bolts because it’s so damn heavy, it doesn’t move (bottom mold, fixed in place.) Once the molds are put in place in the press and lined up, I use skateboard scrap screwed to wood around the bottom mold somewhat boxing it in place so it can’t move.
We don’t use a ratio really, just add little bits of water as you mix. If it gets soupy, add more concrete mix. We do not mix sand, just the concrete mix and water.
Hey I noticed you said you used tape to layer the styrofoam, did you just use a clear packing tape and make sure it didn’t ripple? Or is there something specific you should use. Ps love these videos! I’m in Canada and where I’m at there is really no independent skate companies so your videos and process has really inspired me to start creating my own boards ❤
I know how to build a box but was curious if you are using 2x8 to build the box because i assume you don’t want to make it to deep or it will be to heavy and to shallow will have not enough concrete to with stand the pressure from the press. Last question I promise 😂
Thank you for this video! very helpful. I'm planning to start making my own boards soon and your videos are really inspirational. How did you attach the concrete mold to your hydraulic press? I saw the video where you had the wood mold on the press and that sort of looks like it was glued to to another thick piece of wood that's bolted to the press.
On the top mold we set screws in the wet concrete so that we could mount wood to it. Then we mount the wood to the press. On the bottom, we mount wood to the press and just let the mold sit on top without mounting it. It's so heavy, it doesn't move.
This video is great, thanks for the insight, but what if you have a deck that you would like to replicate, could you use that deck to replicate the mold ? It’s a S**third concave that I would like to reimagine 😊
You can do it with an uncut deck by standing the deck up on its side and pouring concrete on each end. There should be other UA-cam videos available to do it that way.
We matched it to the foam molds, roughtly 34"x10". However, it must snugly fit the foam molds, so I'd suggest making the box to fit the foam molds that you order or to snugly fit an uncut skateboard blank.
what's the profit on a board? I mean is it worth making boards like this? I mean seems like a lot of work and materials for the 80 dollar price though considering how the boards are made these days I consider yours a screaming bargain because they're better made but I can't see a lot of profit in it. I'm sure your not getting rich but I mean do you make enough for it to even be worth it?
Profit? Not much, when you consider the time, but we just want to make decks we want to ride and give others an option. It feeds the soul and I enjoy making them and expressive myself.
@@ManakSkates ya I kind of figured you couldn't be making much cause the materials and time and all the overhead has to just barely making anything if anything but hope people appreciate it cause it's cool you do it cause they seem like they are better boards
@@pdxeddie1111 yeah, I make enough to pay for materials, tool upgrades and some spending money but at the prices we charge, you can’t make a living on it. The decks quality is definitely noticeable and the people who buy them come back for more. It’s rad being able to contribute to a tiny slice of skateboarding.
Concrete does not set by drying. It sets by wetting. If it stays wet, it will continue to get stronger over time. The longer it stays wet the stronger it gets. If a concrete surface dries too quickly, it will be crumbly and flaky. Spray your fresh concrete with a mist of water daily. You'll find that after a few days it stops absorbing water and dries really quickly, even in the shade. At that point it will be properly set. If your habit is to put a fresh block in the sun and just bake it for days, it will make it much weaker than if you kept it damp.
Thanks for the tip Dave! I know other makers submerge their molds in water for a bit. Thankfully, this mold has been solid. No crumble, no cracks.
This hipster using avocado oil lol. Thanks for the cool video man
Such a great video, and thanks so much again for the shout outs!
Thanks again for working with us on our custom molds! You rule dude!
YES I love this I’ve been wanting to start making my own boards
thankyou soo much brother you are the god brother to tell this mold brother ...
awesome awesome stuff your dad is sick. thank you both
Without Pops, Manak Skates would never have happened. He's a badass.
Dude, The mold looks amazing! Have you heard of foam cement? Might help make the molds lighter and eliminate bubbles. I think it is just as hard and sets quicker.
We haven't tried that yet, but might have to give it a shot.
Wow thanks I’ve always wanted to make me own molds
We put links in the description to the mold maker and the program you use to design your mold. Happy pressing!
@@ManakSkates ok thanks man
I do house slabs and footings. That rebar is hectic for the amount of concrete used but hey all the more strength
Yeah, it’s a bit much, but previous molds cracked and broke with less so we thought, “this time we’re making it with lots of rebar!” We haven’t cracked or broken a mold with this method so we’re just going to keep doing it.
5:05 or block filler. Its made to fill those holes
You can vibrate your form with a cordless hammer drill. Just put a large bolt in the chuck.
That's a good tip! I was going to get a rubber ball attachment for my Sawzall or use my theragun. Might give your idea a try.
Thank you
You guys did a awesome job. Should get a lot of use out of it. Was kinda surprised you said about making a wood one later. Wouldn't the concrete mold be more stable long term? Not that wood moment is that crazy but the stuff moves a bit.
We have both types - wood and concrete in our presses. If made correctly and used in a press that doesn't flex/bend under pressure, a concrete mold will last a really long time. My guess is longer than wood. It's all personal preference and cost can be a deciding factor as well.
Just curious, did you do the same rebar cage for the second piece? And why no mounting bolts? Love your vids and am about to start making my first mold. Thank you soooo much for your vid’s! Very informative and practically a step-by-step for knuckleheads like me
Yes, rebar cages on both molds. We suspended the unshown cage with rebar tie wire screwed to the outside of the box and once the concrete setup, we cut off the wire sticking out. No mounting bolts because it’s so damn heavy, it doesn’t move (bottom mold, fixed in place.) Once the molds are put in place in the press and lined up, I use skateboard scrap screwed to wood around the bottom mold somewhat boxing it in place so it can’t move.
Hell yeah.
More! lol sick video dude
So do you even need to apply pressure when the Mold is this heavy?
Definitely need to apply pressure with hydraulic jacks in a press.
Great video, good tips regarding rebar. Just wondering how u mix concrete for this one (ratio cement/water/sand…)?
Thx!
We don’t use a ratio really, just add little bits of water as you mix. If it gets soupy, add more concrete mix. We do not mix sand, just the concrete mix and water.
@@ManakSkates awesome! Thx! Skate or die
Hey I noticed you said you used tape to layer the styrofoam, did you just use a clear packing tape and make sure it didn’t ripple? Or is there something specific you should use. Ps love these videos! I’m in Canada and where I’m at there is really no independent skate companies so your videos and process has really inspired me to start creating my own boards ❤
It’s just clear packing tape applied very carefully
@@ManakSkates thank you appreciate all the tips!
I know how to build a box but was curious if you are using 2x8 to build the box because i assume you don’t want to make it to deep or it will be to heavy and to shallow will have not enough concrete to with stand the pressure from the press. Last question I promise 😂
@@jayggillypuff we used scrap wood. It was plywood that was around 1" thick. Use whatever you have laying around.
Vegan form oil..... Damn hippie..... Hahaha. Great work!
Muscle Massager instead of hammer to settle cement
About to make another mold and will use my theragun this time.
you will not be disappointed!@@ManakSkates
Thank you for this video! very helpful. I'm planning to start making my own boards soon and your videos are really inspirational. How did you attach the concrete mold to your hydraulic press? I saw the video where you had the wood mold on the press and that sort of looks like it was glued to to another thick piece of wood that's bolted to the press.
On the top mold we set screws in the wet concrete so that we could mount wood to it. Then we mount the wood to the press. On the bottom, we mount wood to the press and just let the mold sit on top without mounting it. It's so heavy, it doesn't move.
@@ManakSkates Ok got it. Thank you!
This video is great, thanks for the insight, but what if you have a deck that you would like to replicate, could you use that deck to replicate the mold ? It’s a S**third concave that I would like to reimagine 😊
You can do it with an uncut deck by standing the deck up on its side and pouring concrete on each end. There should be other UA-cam videos available to do it that way.
@@ManakSkates
Many Thanks for the reply
Greetings from the Uk 🇬🇧
🙏🏻
What are the dimensions of the box suppose to be?
We matched it to the foam molds, roughtly 34"x10". However, it must snugly fit the foam molds, so I'd suggest making the box to fit the foam molds that you order or to snugly fit an uncut skateboard blank.
how heavy where the concrete molds about?
100-120 pounds each I'd guess.
Rad!
I need more than that what do you use for the 7 plies
Google “skateboard veneer”. There are plenty of places to buy small batches of veneer online to press.
www.roarockit.com/veneer-1/
Innecesario tan grande el de abajo
what's the profit on a board? I mean is it worth making boards like this? I mean seems like a lot of work and materials for the 80 dollar price though considering how the boards are made these days I consider yours a screaming bargain because they're better made but I can't see a lot of profit in it. I'm sure your not getting rich but I mean do you make enough for it to even be worth it?
Profit? Not much, when you consider the time, but we just want to make decks we want to ride and give others an option. It feeds the soul and I enjoy making them and expressive myself.
I have a day job, too. 🤣
@@ManakSkates ya I kind of figured you couldn't be making much cause the materials and time and all the overhead has to just barely making anything if anything but hope people appreciate it cause it's cool you do it cause they seem like they are better boards
@@pdxeddie1111 yeah, I make enough to pay for materials, tool upgrades and some spending money but at the prices we charge, you can’t make a living on it. The decks quality is definitely noticeable and the people who buy them come back for more. It’s rad being able to contribute to a tiny slice of skateboarding.
prob the most over engineered thing ive ever seen. for something you can get like 30 bucks for? maybe
Thank you for your feedback.
You should’ve called it Dad is making a skateboard