Skateboard

The Magic of Magnetic Suspension Most people look at a skateboard and see a piece of wood with four wheels. I see a chassis waiting for an upgrade. The goal here is to replace traditional rigid trucks with a system that mimics a hoverboard. By utilizing powerful magnets in a repulsive configuration, we can create a floating deck that decouples the rider from the road vibrations. It is about more than just a smooth ride; it is about engineering a physical cushion of air between you and the pavement. Essential Hardware and Materials To build this, you need more than just standard skate parts. You will require high-grade neodymium magnets with enough surface area to support a human's weight. For the base, a polycarbonate lower board provides the necessary strength while keeping the internals visible. You also need heavy-duty stabilizing pins or a large rear hinge to prevent the top deck from sliding off the magnetic field. Friction is the enemy here, so look for low-friction coatings for any guiding components. The Evolution of the Prototype Nobody gets it right on the first try. The process starts with a test rig to prove the magnetic theory. Once the repulsion is stable, you move to a double-decker design. My first iteration used vertical pins, but they created too much mechanical drag. The Mark 2 swapped these for a massive rear hinge, which allowed the board to arc naturally. This shift changed the feel from a bouncy toy to a legitimate piece of transport hardware. Final Assembly and Optimization The finished Colin Furze Magnet Board features a custom aesthetic inspired by Back to the Future. Beyond the graphics, the real work is in the stabilizing pins. These keep the top deck aligned over the bottom board without binding. When dialed in correctly, the magnets provide a progressive suspension—the harder you push, the more they resist, creating a ride that feels exactly like the sci-fi tech we were promised decades ago.