Mistake #1: Printing with Low Infill
The biggest mistake we see is printing risers with 15–20% infill. That's way too low for something that supports your weight and handles impact on every ride.
Riser pads are structural parts. They need to withstand concentrated loads from your trucks and body weight. Low infill makes the print brittle, prone to cracking, and fails within a few weeks of riding.
The fix: Always print skateboard risers at 100% infill (solid). Yes, it uses more filament and takes longer. Yes, it's worth it. A failed riser pad ruins a session; a solid print lasts for months.
If you absolutely need to save filament, go to 80% infill minimum. But 100% is the standard for any weight-bearing skate part.
Mistake #2: Using the Wrong Material
Not all filaments are created equal for skateboard parts. Here's the hierarchy:
- PETG: The best choice. Tough, impact-resistant, handles temperature changes, and lasts forever on a skateboard. Print at 235°C and you're golden.
- ABS: Strong but requires a heated bed and enclosure. Prone to warping during print. Only choose this if you have the setup and experience.
- PLA: Not ideal for skateboard parts. It's biodegradable and softens in heat. In summer sun or after a few weeks in a hot garage, PLA risers become mushy. It breaks easily under impact.
- TPU / Flexible filaments: Too flexible. They compress under truck pressure and provide zero support.
If you're printing risers and you only have PLA filament, print them anyway for testing. But replace them with PETG risers before serious riding. PLA will fail.
Mistake #3: Printing Too Fast
Speed matters. Printing a riser pad in 45 minutes at 80 mm/s might feel good, but it creates weak layer adhesion. The layers don't bond properly, and the part becomes brittle between layers.
For skateboard parts, slow is better. Print risers at 40–50 mm/s. Yes, it takes longer (maybe 90 minutes). But the print quality is noticeably stronger, and layers bond properly.
Also check your acceleration and jerk settings. Printers that accelerate too fast cause layer separation and missed details. Use conservative acceleration (1000 mm/s²) for skate parts.
Mistake #4: Ignoring Cooling
Many printers default to high fan cooling. For PLA, that's fine. For PETG (the material you should be using for risers), high cooling creates cooling stress and makes the print brittle.
PETG cooling tips:
- Keep part cooling fan at 30–40% for the first 3 layers. This allows the layers to set gradually.
- Increase to 50–60% after the base is solid.
- Avoid turning the fan on and off rapidly. Thermal cycling weakens the print.
If your nozzle is 220°C and your part cooling is at 100%, you're creating internal stress. That stress appears as cracks and brittle failure weeks later.
Mistake #5: Not Testing Before Riding
Just because a print looks good doesn't mean it's ready to ride on. We've seen risers that looked perfect on the printer but cracked under truck pressure because of subtle layer issues or internal voids.
Test your prints:
- Inspect the surface for cracks, gaps, or soft spots.
- Try to flex it. A good PETG riser should flex slightly under hand pressure but not bend easily.
- Press on the bolt holes. If they feel soft or crumbly, the print failed in those areas.
- If the print feels solid, install it and test on flat ground first. Cruise slow and feel the ride.
- Make gentle turns to test for cracks. Don't bomb hills on your first test ride.
If something feels wrong, don't ride it. The print likely has internal layer separation or voids.
Bonus Tip: Use Proper Print Orientation
How you orient your riser on the build plate matters. Print with the mounting surface flat (parallel to the bed). This creates strong layers across the mounting holes, which is where the stress concentrates.
Avoid printing on an edge or corner. That orientation creates weak layers right where the trucks bolt down.
The Bottom Line
Skateboard risers take constant mechanical stress. They're not decorative prints — they're functional parts that protect you from wheel bite. Print them with respect: 100% infill, PETG material, slow speeds, proper cooling, and always test before riding.
Take the time to get it right, and your risers will last for months. Rush it, and you'll be printing again in two weeks.