Tag Archives: Ice skating

3D Printed R/C Ice Vehicle Is Triple Axel Ready

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The brainchild of Simon Sörensen of YouTube channel RCLifeOn, this R/C vehicle was designed specifically with traversing ice in mind. Inspired by the one-wheeled motorcycle from 2003’s Spy Kids 3 (I must have missed that), the vehicle was constructed using 3D printed parts and features a brushless motor powering a spiked rear wheel via a chain drive with steering provided by two repurposed ice skating blades. I’m sure his younger sibling won’t miss those.

After an initial driving test, Simon had to tweak the steering to tighten an unacceptably wide turning radius, but after that, the vehicle appears to perform fairly well. That’s good too because you’re not going to take home the gold model in figure skating if you have to use the entire width of the rink just to perform a 360°.

Simon says he’s pleased with the result but plans on making an even better version sometime in the future. And I, for one, can’t wait to strap two of those suckers to my feet and terrorize everyone at the ice skating rink Wile E. Coyote style.

[via TechEBlog]

Man Builds Electric-Powered Ice Skates That Double as Meat Grinders

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Because you don’t know until you try, and not trying may haunt you for the rest of your life, Simon Sörensen of YouTube channel RCLifeOn went and built himself a pair of electric-powered ice skates using parts from an electric skateboard. I can already see myself scoring the winning goal in a hockey game. Wait – or is that me getting ejected for wearing electric skates?

Each skate has an electric motor surrounded by a spiked wheel mounted on the heel, along with shock absorbers (which he later replaces with solid rods) to ensure the wheel remains in constant contact with the ice. He controls the wheels’ rotation via a handheld controller, and both skates are powered via a battery worn in a backpack and not by the power of Greyskull like I would have used. What? He-Man doesn’t need it all.

Simon warns at 10:48 in the video that if you’re interested in building similar skates to be careful, and uses one of the spiked wheels to grind a hotdog and carrot to demonstrate what might happen if you fell on one of them. I think it goes without saying, but that does not look like a very pleasant experience.

[via Hackaday]

Iceless Backyard Skating Rink

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Backyard ice skating- it’s not just for people in Minnesota anymore! That should be the slogan. Well with the NHL’s expansion into warmer climates like Las Vegas and the South, there’s definitely more interest in playing at home. No need to head out to an ice skating rink or wait for a pond to freeze (or have Dad stand outside with a garden hose for hours before Zamboni’ing it with a broom handle and a bucket of water), skate anytime year round, anywhere with the Iceless Skating Rink. But how does it work? I’m glad you asked.

Magic. It works by magic. The magic of durable polymer panels that is. These magical panels are infused with a slick-enhancing agent which keeps them, well, slick. No need to spray anything on them to keep them slippery. You can use any standard ice skates on it. The 12 included panels interlock to form a 15′ by 23′ rink or 11.5′ by 30′ rink. Or line ’em all up into one long row to practice your speed skating. You can even use it indoors, perhaps in a garage or basement or living room if you’re cool. Also works for practicing figure skating so you can Triple Lutz all day every day 365 baby.

Iceless Backyard Skating Rink
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Dragon Con 2014: Julie Benz on acting, aging, and imperfection

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Julie Benz (Defiance) is really showcasing her talent in both network and smaller, independent roles. The only requirement: create a really dynamic character who doesn't fall into stereotypical...

Tara Lipinski Skates as The Dude

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The Big Lebowski is one of the top cult movies ever. Jimmy Fallon's Late Night show had a weird idea to pay tribute to the movie. The have famous ice skater Tara Lipinski do a Big Lebowski skate...