Post
by Erik Basil » Wed Jan 11, 2006 7:02 pm
Thanks, Justin!
Jack, in response to your one query, I actually know:
--Ron has made rumblings on Concrete Disciples that he's looking into the Biltins idea.
--Chris has repo'd a set of the ceramic Biltins I made, using what I call "KMart Ceramic" balls. He has reserved comment until he rides them more.
Mile High Mark, of the eponymous online skate shop, is one that took the time and investment to use the Rockin' Ron bearings as donors to a set of Biltins. He sold them to a dude that posts on Silverfish and Ncdsa and who reports they're working great in a pumping board he's built up. Those had to go for $100, just had to.
My method is much cheaper than Mark's, and I got the idea from Hugh Regalado. I took Biltin 3's apart, and also took apart a set of hybrid ceramics I got off eBay for $10 (marketed as "Warp" ceramics in some shops) to get the ball bearings. The total cost on my set is less than $30, plus the time. In terms of time, for the first set I did it took about 45 minutes for the first 7 bearings, and about 45 minutes for the 8th bearing-- I must have been running low on caffeine or something but just kept dropping balls all over the place. Work over a cloth towel, trust me!
I ride fast boards, slowly.