OPTICAL PRISM | FEATURE
THE SMOOTH RIDE TO CREATING SKATEBOARD SHADES :
• Remove all the grip tape from the top of the skateboards ;
• Cut the temples and frame blanks with a CNC machine ;
• Sand , shape and hand finish each pair ;
• Install hinges , cut out the lenses with a laser-cutting machine ;
• Pop the lenses into the frame fronts .
• SKRAP works with an Ottawa company to create soft cases for the shades from reclaimed fabrics .
He said thousands of boards end up in landfill each year , so he ’ s thrilled to be able to divert some to his shop .
A website developer by trade with a keen interest in building stuff from wood , Anderson learned the tricks of CNC and laser-engraving machines from a few local residents who owned the equipment .
“ The mix of these two applications made the transition from hand tools into utilizing CNC machines and laser-engraving / cutting machines a little easier ,” he says .
He sources stainless steel hinges and UV400 polarized lens blanks from China .
As interest in his sunglasses grew , Anderson purchased his own CNC and laser-cutting machines and reached out to more skateboarding shops , manufacturers and distributors as well as parks and ski hills in Canada and the United States to get his hands on even more scrap boards .
“ Now we have some pretty great connections from all over the place and are always looking for more companies that would like us to help recycle their old broken material ,” he said .
“ I really love the idea of using as much recycled material as we can in our products and give them a second life . It also makes every piece totally unique . You never really know what you ' re going to get and that always excites me .”
People can buy SKRAP Skateboards Inc . shades at skrap . co . OP
OPTICAL PRISM | July 2021 27