Why are Fingerboards so Expensive?
Why are fingerboards are so expensive and what actually goes into making them? Dr. Doom here to give you my two-cents and some inside information to help you decide if a fingerboard is worth it!
Why are fingerboards so expensive?
The reason why fingerboards are expensive because of the time and knowledge that is put into them. Besides just wood and glue, there is a lot more that goes into the making of a professional fingerboard.
What goes into making a fingerboard?
Finding the right types of wood is crucial. When I am shopping for wood, I look for a couple things:
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Hardwoods
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1/42" (0.6mm), 1/45" (0.5mm), 1/64" (0.4mm)
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AAA Quality (If applicable for the veneer species)
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Color (For dyeing purporses)
After getting wood, it all needs to be cut to the correct size to ensure that I am getting the most out of each sheet. I usually cut my wood to be 4cm wide and 11cm long. This is a tedious and time consuming step of the process.
Once the wood is cut, I then place multiple sheets in various dyes and let it soak for close to a month! Seems like a lot, but patience is key. After a good soak, I take the wood out. Each sheet is individually placed out to dry, yet another tedious and time consuming step.
Five or seven sheets of wood veneer are then glued together in unique grain orders to ensure the stiffness and pop. I then place them in the mold for 12-24 hours depending on temperate and weather conditions. Still wondering why are fingerboards are so expensive?
I then drill, counter-sink, and shape these blanks carefully with router to ensure a precise shape and ensure consistency. After, I rough sand the boards, as well as fine sand them. Then it's time for lacquer!
Each board get coated three times with 20 minutes in between coats. Once the boards are dry, I let them cure over night before applying graphics. All graphics are the same as real skateboards ("real wear") and are applied with a heat roller set to a specific temperature to allow the graphic to fully sublimate with the lacquer. Are you still asking yourself "Why are fingerboards so expensive?"
Even though all the materials together don't seem to add up to the true cost of a fingerboard, you can see all the time that I spend, as well as many others, to create these amazing little skateboards. There's no machine doing it for me; there's no employees doing it for me; it's just me. If you are ever questioning the price of a fingerboard, remember the time and expertise that is required to make them at a professional level.
If you are still wondering why are fingerboards so expensive, give all of these things a try and see how it turns out!
