bianchi10

So I bought my first set of rollers today. Got a great deal on a set of performance aluminum rollers from a guy on CL for $50. Was going to go with a set of kreitlers but really wanted to save as much money as possible right now and didn't have much to spend to be honest. The rollers are in pretty good shape, better than what I was expecting from the pictures actually. Got them home, changed out of my work clothes and gave it a go. I have to be honest, the first 2 minutes or so I was thinking in my head..."looks like I'm going to be selling these tonight!" I just couldn't get the hang of it, though I never fell off. After the 2 minutes I got my cadance up and away I went. Now that the initial test was out of the way it was time to build my free motion frame.

I had gone to home depot before coming home with them and got all I needed, or so I thought. The videos I had watched showed some people using casting wheels or skateboard wheels. I called around and all the skateboard wheels were more than I wanted to spend and I didn't have any used ones laying around. I bought some casting wheels at home depot at $5 a pop (didn't have any bearings though). They ended up being more expensive than a set of skateboard wheels but I thought I would try them. Turns out after installing them they didn't work right. was ready to take them back and go get some skateboard wheels when I remembered my wife bought a set of rollerblades 9 years ago when we were dating. She used them once on a date we went on and hadn't used them since. So I dismantled her blades and used her wheels with the bearings. PERFECT!! (and she doesn't know I used her wheels ) They glide like butter on the aluminum L-mounts I screwed into the wood.

tried them out for 5 minutes and it was MUCH nicer with this free motion. So much smoother and able to move around without having it affect your balance. I am basically an idiot when it comes to building ANYTHING, so I'm glad it turned out well. I may go back and edit some things later to make it "prettier" but it works great for now.

If you want details on what I used to make it let me know and I will type it out.

Here are some pictures of the build and a quick video. (not with me on them. Give me some more time on them before I embarrase myself first!)

Planned fixes:
-add some more secure brackets
-May add some plywood across the center section
-Get some sort of stepping box. I have a milk crate but I may try to be more inovative
















video (cant get it to play here, but click it and it will open a new window to photobucket)

ruskko

should have used a solid piece of plywood over 2x4

bianchi10

I can always go back and do that. like I said, there are some things I will go back and change but for now it works.

ruskko

Looks good though,I'd jssut be worried the joints pull out over time

AEO

I would add some mending plates on the corners. (the "I" plate brackets)

2ndGen

bianchi10

Good call, I figured the L brackets would work well enough. like I said, I am not great with building stuff so it's good to get an idea of what will help for longevity. thanks!

bianchi10

I was thinking about that. but if you look I would only be able to cover 3/4 of it because of where I have the bungy going to. If I had the half eye on top of the 2x4 then yes I would be able to. I have to keep the angle of the bungy low so it can clear the roller.

James1:17

good job homey

rat fink

Seems good so far, but I'm sure you will want to try something with a higher and more consistent spring rate than bungee cords.

Gluteus

Nice job.
What are the roller blade wheels on top (front end) for?

bianchi10

Not true. you want a very smooth elastic movement. something with a higher spring rate will be more of a ridgid reaction.

the rollers on the front are bumpers for the front wheel. This keeps the front wheel from going off the sides.

dstrong 

I thought that was your job!

Looigi

Yeah, nice, but I don't think I'd want the the wheels on the ends of the front roller, based on my roller experience.

bianchi10

hmmm maybe so, I dont have anymore than 5 minutes experience on rollers yet so I may have to move them. thanks for the tip

bianchi10

ok so I spent 2 hours riding today. LOVED IT!! Please keep in mind that 2 hours is basically all the experience I have on rollers, so be gentle.

danvuquoc

Thats after only 2 hours? Wow, good job! Is there a possibility for the rear wheel to go off the roller without bumpers for it?

Toeslider

Cut a piece of plywood the same dimensions as your 2x4 frame and screw the whole thing down to it. It will stiffen it up and make it more durable and not take too much time to do.

Commodus

Looks great man

kstephens

That looks like fun! Good job on that.

bianchi10

To the bottom of the frame?

Toeslider

Yeah, like if your frame you have now is 2 feet wide by 4 feet long, just cut a 2' x 4' piece of plywood, or even OSB (cheaper), turn the whole thing over and run some screws into each piece of existing wood. It will keep the frame you have now from shifting out of square.

Imagine you have a picture frame that just has the sides. It is easy to apply a little pressure and shift the whole thing so it isn't square anymore, but if you have a back on it you can't do that. This is the same thing, it is just lying down on the floor.

billyb0b115

dude, that looks effin awesome!

Toeslider

Plywood sheet on the bottom (shown in red). You could even attach carpet or rubber to the bottom of the plywood to prevent it from moving around on the floor.

Dean7

Awesome.