Quad Roller Skates

User-Contributed Project

User-Contributed Project

This project guide is not managed by MAKE staff.

Build roller skates from a pair of shoes and 2 old skateboards.

  • Add Note x

This is a simple project that can be completed in an afternoon once you've scrounged up all the components.

first image

Add Note Edit Step 1 — Quad Roller Skates  ¶ 

  • Gather your materials. you will need:

  • A pair of shoes

  • Trucks and wheels from two skateboards

  • 16 each 10-24 flathead screws

  • 16 each 10-24 locknuts

  • 1/8" Aluminum Plate 3"x9"

first image

Add Note Edit Step 2  ¶ 

  • To make things more comfortable, you will want to have as much padding over the screws as possible. So take whatever you can out of the shoe.

  • I pulled out the inserts and another layer that was glued down. Be careful pulling this stuff out; you are going to want to put it back in after your trucks are installed.

first image

Add Note Edit Step 3  ¶ 

  • Put masking tape on the soles so that you can mark where you want to drill.

first image

Add Note Edit Step 4  ¶ 

  • Place the skateboard trucks on the bottom of the shoe and mark where the holes should go.

  • Make sure the trucks are centered and straight.

first image

Add Note Edit Step 5  ¶ 

  • Drill holes and insert bolts.

first image

Add Note Edit Step 6  ¶ 

  • Bolt the trucks on.

  • Use locknuts on all the bolts to keep things from falling off.

first image

Add Note Edit Step 7  ¶ 

  • You may want to add an aluminum plate or some other brace to stiffen the bottom.

  • Put the liners back in the shoes.

first image

Add Note Edit Step 8  ¶ 

  • Enjoy at your local Roller Disco!

For more information, check out the Outdoors category page.

Did you successfully follow this guide?

This guide has been completed 0 times.

Comments Add Note Comments are onturn off

Guide Add Note

Basically, you reverse-engineered the original skateboards from the '60s. We used an old clamp-on skate that was designed to temporarily attach to the bottom of your shoes. They were length adjustable with a wing-nut in the middle. We disassembled one skate, then used a hammer to flatten out the ends that curved up around the sole and heel of your shoe. Make sure these were hammered flat.

Find an old board, usually a 1x6 of the appropriate length, shape the ends to look more like a surfboard, and align the modified skate with one set of wheels up front and the other towards the rear. Mark a few places for each to drill holes through the board, and attach them with some nuts and bolts.

Rickety and dangerous, making it that much more fun!

terry, · Reply

Finally I've made a pair of these, not in an afternoon, not that easy, but they work great. I've added a rubber stopper back at the heel. Thanks for posting Brad

cobiaa, · Reply