wAsk
Doctor
Blackhart
RAMP RE-VAMP
with Rick Blackhart
I skate street, and I have problems with
all the ramps that I build. You see, first I
draw out the transitions, then put the frame-
work together, and then lay the ply on A
couple of days later the 2x4's start coming
apart from the transitions. Is there some
way of keeping the ramp together that I
have overlooked?
Andy
Portsmouth, VA
Try using some nails maybe. I can't
see what's wrong so I can't tell you what
to do. Either send me a photo or buy
some ramp plans. Three and a half bucks
goes a long way.
WATER DAMAGED
I have a medium-sized halfpipe in my
backyard. I have a cover for it but it had a
little water under it. Then the cover blew off
part of the way and snow got underneath.
The snow melted but the flat bottom is
pretty warped. My mother says if you put
warped wood in the sun it straightens, but
my ramp is facing the wrong way for much
sun. Is there any way besides re-coating
the ramp to get rid of the warps?
Steve O'Hagan
Ocean Twp. NJ
I really doubt it. Once wood gets ru-
ined or semi-ruined that's just what it
is; ruined. So skate it or fix it. At least
peel off the top layer of ply or masonite.
and let it air dry for a few days.
HARCORE ON HARDWARE
Please help me. I've been breaking bolts
like crazy. All winter long I've been skating
in my garage. On my big deck I had a tail
skid about 14 past the end. I went through
30 or so 1-bolts, honestly, in about a month.
Then, after I ditched the tail skid, I started
breaking truck mounting bolts. I broke the
local hardware store bolts in 7 of the 8 holes,
and I've broken 5 made-for-skateboard bolts
in the front two holes. I also broke my rear
king pin. I've also broken a lot on my free-
style deck. I thought it was because the
skids stuck out on the sides, so I trimmed
them, but it didn't work. Please help, I'm
out of bolts, money and patience.
Mike Kennan
New Hampshire
PS. The temperature ranged from 40 to
0 Fahrenheit.
Obviously the temperature is contrib-
uting to your bolts breaking. Also, hav-
ing a tail skid or any other plastic device
hanging off your board will cause undue
stress on the bolts holding them on.
Also, tightening those bolts too tight will
cause breakage, ease up. Personally, I've
never had too much problem with that.
One here, one there, but never an out-
break like yours. I guess you're just a
burly kind of guy. Chill out or get an
account at the hardware store.
SKATE URGE
I'm a fourteen year old girl and I got my
first board three months ago Ever since
then I go out and skate 2-3 hours or more
everyday Frequently I get these urges to
skate. Sometimes I lie in bed, asleep, and
I wake up sweating and yearning to ride
my skate. Is this abnormal? Please help
me!
Troubled
Somewhere in CA
Yep, sounds like a definite case of skate
fever. When this happens you know you're
a true skater. I don't think you have any-
thing to worry about, though, at least
not yet. You think you're troubled now?
Just wait until all of society scowls and
looks at you as though you re partaking
in some unmentionable act. Like all your
bodily functions have gone awry and
your every movement borders on illegal-
ity. Then I would say you're in trouble.
But, until then, relax.
GRAT
Blackhart, laid back dish assault on a downhill
missile
MAY HE REST IN PIECES
Spencer and myself have been bothered
with a mind-boggling question for quite
some time now. Whatever happened to
Mellow Cat? Was he forced to cut his hair
and get a real job? Rick, you gotta help us
on this one.
Chris Martin & Spencer Platt
Westport, CT
Oh yeah, Mellow Cat. Sad thing. Last.
I heard he got run over by a car being
chased by Mellow Dog after eating Mellow
Bird and tipping over Mellow Fish's tank.
Gimme a brake. Ha. get it?
NOT JUST A T-SHIRT ANYMORE
Rick Blackheart (sic). I've got the answer
for hair in the eyes. You take an old t-shirt
cut it off right under the arms, put it on over
your neck. then pull it inside out so the neck
is right by your hairline. Then put on your
helmet simple!
Art Wiggen
Bloomington, MN
Hey, alright, good idea. Now buy one
of my shirts and maybe you'll learn how
to spell my name.
ILLEGAL SKATIENS
Me and my fellow skate crew were out
thrashin the town when we decided to stop
in the local pub an pick up a few quarts
We then headed to a secluded spot to co
some downhillin and drinkin Little did we
know it was a cop's hang-out. We all got
pulled over and given citations The cops
started giving us trouble about being too
old to skate and told us to get real haircuts
(we all have mohawks) What Id like to know
Doc. is did that cop have the night to fine
us or are we just victims of skate prejudice?
Brent Burke and the Skate Punx
Bethlehem, PA
Unfortunately that little badge he wears
gives him the right to do almost anything
he damn well pleases. Even if he didn't
have the right you still wouldn't have a
snowball's chance in hell of proving it
anyway, so forget it. Bottom line is cops
don't like skaters and vice-versa, mainly
because half the time you gotta break
the law just to skate. Oh great, I can hear
it now. All you parental types start piss-
ing and moaning about me telling little
Johnny to be unruly and illegal. Well,
I'm not. I'm just speaking my mind be
cause someone provoked an answer. You
don't like it, you don't read it. I mean.
how can I tell someone with a mohawk
how to be socially incorrect? Getting
back to the letter, yes on both counts.
Keep skating anyway Later.
Lame wardrobe? Fill the prescription.
with a T-shirt ala Dr. Rick. Now available
over the counter for only $9.65 (postage
and handling included). Send check or
money order payable to THRASHER
MAGAZINE. Ask the Doc T., PO. Box
884570, San Francisco, CA 94188-4570.
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