D.I.Y.
(DON’T TRY AT HOME)
Electric Skateboards
Sling-Board
With rising gas prices and other forms of transportation being unavailable, I began looking at possible electric skateboards. With pre-built boards being very expensive and electric skateboard motors being nearly as expensive, I noticed that electric scooter motors were far cheaper, and took inspiration from three wheeled cars like the Polaris Slingshot. Taking parts from a used mountain board on Facebook marketplace, an affordable brushless scooter motor, a large 36V battery, and a skateboard ESC, this project was a great way to practice designing and machining my own practical parts.
Coming in at about 200$, this final product has a range of nearly 20 miles, goes up to 25mph, and handles surprisingly well. Because of its length, it can’t make super sharp turns, but staying in the bike lane, it can handle anything in its way! Then when it’s time to go inside, a hidden handle behind the battery allows it to be carried like a suitcase.
Cracked Egg Board
With one bizarre concept electric skateboard under my belt, I wanted to give it another try for a much smaller board. Starting with a base of a 19 inch egg board, I bought the components to make a belt driven board for more power and manuverablility. I modeled custom housing for the electronics and gears for the belts for a much cleaner and compact board that could easily be strapped to a backpack while still having the torque to easily conquer the hills of my college campus!
