Summer of the Build

To kick off the beginning of the Summer Season, we have been working hard to bring builders around the world some exciting new promotions! These products are meant for builders who want to get an introduction to making their first custom skateboards, as well as advanced builders who may want to step up their production over the summer months.

Introducing, the Summer of the Build!

Click for full sized image

These promotional products will be available to order online until September 2nd, 2013.

Here's a look at each product in more detail:

Order a 20x70 TAP Kit with FREE shipping here

We want people building boards using our Thin Air Press vacuum bag system. To help encourage builders to give it a try (or to add another bag to their shop), we are offering the 20" x 70" TAP Kit with free shipping within Canada and USA. The 20" x 70" bag is the most appropriate sized bag for building custom boards using uncut sheets of veneer. 

Click to order the TAP Bag Production Bundle with FREE shipping

The TAP Bag Production Bundle is a great way to set yourself up with a small army of Thin Air Press vacuum bags at an affordable price. For $249.99 we will pack a box with everything needed to operate three of our 20" x 70" TAP bags. Including a manual hand pump, breather netting for all three bags and a 50' roll of replacement sealing tape! That's over $40 in saving from ordering these products individually, and we are also offering free shipping on this product to customers in the USA and Canada. 

Click here to get your 7 Decks x 8 Layer veneer pack with a FREE TAP Kit!

One of our most popular promotions from years past was the 7 Decks x 8 Layers Longboard Veneer with a FREE TAP Kit... well, it's back!! This is perfect for anyone who wants to make eight layer decks using our Thin Air Press Kit. Even if you make decks with less than eight layers, this is a whole whack load of veneer for a very good price ($3.93/sheet) + a FREE TAP Kit valued at $100!

And last, but not least....

For more info on ordering a Summer Sampler, click the photo above

Last year we introduced the Summer Sampler promotion and it was a real hit with our builders. We got a lot of positive feedback about being able to mix, match and test the Maple and Birch veneers. So this year we wanted to sweetin the pot a little bit, and added a few extra goodies and options. Not only will you get nine layers each of our Maple and Birch 1/16" Longboard veneers, a 20" x 70" TAP Kit and a 2" thick slab of high density foam - but we have also added in a small hand tool that works great for shaping your foam mold.

You will also get your choice of either the NEW RockitRuler 2.0 (now with New School AND Old School truck holes) or a Roarockit branded shop apron. The shop apron is made from a heavy duty black fabric, and is covered in the same vinyl that our vacuum bags are made from... this means that glue won't stick to it and/or your favourite t-shirt! 

Also, just for fun, we are going to throw in a bundle of (5) random skateboard stickers, an issue of Concrete Wave magazine... OH, and FREE shipping to customers in the USA and Canada!!

*unfotunately we cannot offer free shipping to US customers in Hawaii and Alaska  

PHEW! Now that we've laid it all out there for you, if you have any other questions about these products or promotions, feel free to email  or call us toll free @ 1-888-857-7790. We hope that everyone has a great summer of building boards and we would love to see some of what you come up with!

Remember: It's easy to break the mold, when you make the mold :) 

ROCKITRULER 2.0

The RockitRuler has helped board builders around the world to accurately layout the centerline and mark their Old School truck holes square to each other. Just over a year after introducing the innovative RockitRuler, the Roarockit Skateboard Company is now proud to announce the new RockitRuler 2.0.

We have gotten a lot of great feedback on the original design, and the tool has basically stayed the same except for one small detail... we have added two new holes! New School truck holes to be exact.

The addition of the extra holes will allow builders to mark the placement of their New School trucks. This option will help when designing custom street decks with the smaller baseplate, or for anyone who wants to drill the full six hole configuration.

It's a small change, but something we took into consideration from builders feedback. Everything else has stayed the same, including the holes for spacing your Old School trucks that run along the length of the tool. Basically, if you want to layout for New School, you will have to flip the RockitRuler and use the new holes on the one end. We have updated the instructions on the tool to reflect this change.

The RockitRuler 2.0 will be available for the same price of $34.99

OR

Feel free to email or call us with any questions you may have.  

If you have not seen the RockitRuler in action, check out our original instructional video below:

How To Fix A Warped Board

For riders and builders alike, having a warped deck can be very frustrating. Skateboards (like any piece of wood) can warp over time as the fibres in wood expand and contract with seasonal/temperature changes. Decks can also be affected by moisture and inconsistencies in the glue between layers.

When you are not using your board, keep it stored in a controlled environment whenever possible. Try not to leave your board for extended periods of time in places that can be subject to extreme heat or cold, like your garage or the trunk of your car - and always keep your board dry! This will help control the moisture content of the wood and prevent unnecessary expansion and contraction of the veneers.

Now, we know that's not always possible... sometimes you just gotta take your board out in the rain and get your greezy slides on, or throw it in a jammed trunk for a long road trip. Either way, if you find yourself with a warped deck, we've got a relatively easy DIY solution to try and fix it.

TOOLS & MATERIALS NEEDED:

• at least (2) clamps
• heat gun or hairdryer
• solid length of material (to be used as a lever)
• weighted object (e.g. Gallon of glue, brick, etc.)

STEP 1: Determine where the warping in your board starts. Sometimes this can be tricky as warps are always different. It may start at the nose and gradually run all the way to the tail, or there may be two entirely different warps happening over the length of the board. You may need to try it a few times, but with a little practice you will start to recognize how to correct different bends in your board.

STEP 2: Warm the affected areas with the heat gun for about 5-10 minutes. What this does is 'reactivates' the glue in between your layers of veneer, and allow you to bend the board back straight when the glue sets. There may be multiple areas that need bending, but it is a good idea to focus on one at a time.  

STEP 3: Clamp one end of your deck to a solid surface like a table, and clamp a length of wood (or other solid length of material) to the overhanging portion of your deck. You will than place the weighted object onto the extended length of wood to act as a cantilever to bend your board back straight. 

*Note* This is the part that will really take some practice. There are many different combinations of where to clamp the board, and where to place the weight that can affect how your board bends. Some bends may require more weight to counteract the warping, and the type of wood, length of your board and type of glue used by the manufacturer may affect the results as well.

Once your board looks like it is in a stable and straight position, leave it clamped and weighted for at least a few hours to let the glue reset. When you are ready to check on your board, make note of where the clamps and weight were positioned in case you need to tweak the setup and try again. 

Using this method will give you a basic understanding of how to counteract the warping effect. It's cheap, simple and can be very effective. It may not work perfectly everytime, but if you can save even just one board being chopped from rotation...isn't it worth it?! 

Board N' School.. SUCCESS

This past weekend - April 19-21, 2013 - saw the opening of the Oasis Skateboard Factory (OSF) and Roarockit Skateboard Companies first ever skateboard art auction!  The event helped launch Roarockit's new Lil' Rockit builder kit, and raised money for the school by having some of Toronto's finest artists do graphics on 19 hand built boards.

In preparation of the show, each student paired up with a different artist and taught them how to build their own board using the Thin Air Press vacuum bag system.  After working on the construction, each pair designed an image that incorporated the "Board N' School" theme to apply to the bottom of the deck. Artist's then took their boards home and brought the vision to life!

Left: John Marriott pours the glue - Right: Zanette Singh goes over board designs

Artist and Student Collaborated Board Designs

Friday, April 19th - the grand opening party at the Gladstone Hotel's Art Bar. The Roarockit crew arrived early that morning and worked with the OSF students to help set up the show, which included a giant 'Handmade with Roarockit Technology' sign that the kids had made earlier that week in class. 

ROCK's OSF Mural Club use math to create the 'Roarockit Technology' sign

Lauren puts the finishing touches on the chalkboard displays.

Craig Morrison addresses the troops before the start of the show.

The night was filled with great vibes, familiar faces and an overwhelming sense of pride that could be felt from the students as they talked about their innovative program, all whilst keeping a watchful eye on their board's rising bids... they even brought out some of their signature 'Hooky' boards to shred around the gallery!

Everyone had a great time at the opening, and almost all of the boards were bid on and won by some very generous and stoked individuals! We would like to thank everyone who came out to support the Oasis program and helped show these students what can be achieved with some hard work and planning.

Also, a BIG shout out goes to the Gladstone Hotel, all the artists involved, Lauren and Craig from the OSF...and whoever brought that cake that was chillin in the back! 

Everyone here at Roarockit also deserves a bit of a pat on the back as well ;)

Check out our Facebook page for more photos of the event and the work leading up to it as well.

Post #SWAP6...Post

Another Swap Meet has come and gone, and we would like to thank everyone who came out and helped to make this the best one yet!

We witnessed some pretty amazing swaps go down, and it seems as though most people walked away happy with a bunch of new gear for the season ahead.

Also, a BIG 'thank you' goes out to all the sponsors, organizers and volunteers who helped make this event run smoothly and for spreading the stoke as only our community knows how.  

Here's a few photos from the event we are happy to share with you:

Ted visits Costco to get enough food for 500+ hungry skaters

Calm before the storm... setting up early for the long day ahead.Chris presents Michael Brooke with a custom burned Longboarding For Peace signStudents from the Oasis Skateboard Factory did a great job volunteeringLongboarding's In Your Heart and the boys from Joule Skateboards

Beautiful weather and sooo much gear!

Even some longboard inspired street art was going down!Alistair from AM Wood hyping up the crowd for a free board

So proud of everyone who donated to the 'Sliver From Your Quiver' programRob from Bombora Boards on the mic at the Post Swap PooperThanks to Jon Nuss for always taking great photos!

You can also check our Facebook page for a full gallery of photos taken from the event.