Timberkits Skateboarder
The Skateboarder was a new release for 2010.
Finished model.
Finished model.
Finished model.
Close up of base mechanism.
Box, parts and instructions.
The instructions for this kit appear to be revised from those shown on the Timberkits website. They are a cut above normal and include several nicely shaded isometric drawings that are superior to the usual simple line drawings.
Example of one of the instruction diagrams.
It seems to me that a skateboard with only one kicktail should have the kicktail at the rear of the board. At least that's how I remember the board I had when I was a kid (which feels like a million years ago). I reoriented the board by drilling my own link hole. I filled in the original link hole with a scrap of dowel.
Modified board with the kicktail oriented toward the rear.
This model is fairly complex and has an intricate system of rods and links, which adds subtle movement to the ankles, knees and hips. Unfortunately these subtle body movements are visually overpowered by the more dramatic rotational movement of the board and figure. Without careful observation, the model's movement appears far more simplistic than it really is.
Rear view of the legs. An intricate system of rods and links is concealed within the left leg.
I thought the body joints moved a little better with the torso balanced back. I glued the arms as far back as I could without making the kid look contorted. Then I decided to add a backpack to further balance the torso. I worked with a cardboard template until I had the back contour correct. Then I used the template to cut a block of pine on a scroll saw. I'm not sure if the backpack had any practical effect. Hopefully it at least looks like a backpack and not some sort of physical deformity.
Backpack.
Update
My model no longer works because of wood having warped or expanded. The sliders are stuck between the spacers (red arrows below). I should have assembled these parts with more play. I could have used thin cardboard shims to gap the spacers away from the sliders as the glue dried.
Leave some play between the sliders and spacers (red arrows).