Please Help: Converting Composite Skates (Torspo) to Roller Hockey

[tom 0]

Hello everyone :)

I'm new to the board, but have followed the forum for quite a while. I've been playing roller hockey all my life and managed to play on ice just on one single occasion.

Now it's time for me to get a new pair of roller skates. I bought some new ice hockey skates on ebay (Torspo 150 & 221) because I think the quality and build of roller hockey skates is inferior.

Unfortunately I encountered a problem in converting the skates: the curvature of the outsole does not match to the top of my new roller hockey frame (Easton). This should not be a problem with most skates but the Torspos consist of a single composite shell. I'm convinced that bending the boot/outsole would crack the boot and destroy the structure.

Has anyone successfully converted a similar skate? Does anyone know if some kind of spacers between frame and boot at the front & back (like on my veeery old Bauers) would solve the problem?

I guess Sprungs would fit perfectly but unfortunately these are not available over here in Europe :(

Thanks in advance for any help.

[fatwabbit 93]

Difficult to explain, but here is what you can do. Instead of tightening all the screws one at a time, you can tighten each one slightly and then move to the next screw (assuming you are using tnuts?).

This way, you slowly 'pull' the chassis down towards the sole of the boot.

I've done Torspo boots with Vanguards, Sprungs and Hummers.

[tom 0]

Thanks for the fast response :)

I know that gradually tightening the screws would slowly pull the boot onto the frame, but I was afraid that this could cause the boot to crack since its structure is so stiff and brittle. You say you've done a successful conversion with Vanguards and Hummers, so I am far more optimistic right now :) Maybe I should just give it try and begin with the Torspo 150 which seem to be a little more "elastic" than the Torspo 221...?!?

I would be very happy about further hints and tips regarding the conversion of a full composite skate. I've seen some converted Easton skates around here, maybe someone has encountered similar problems?

[wetwilly17 6]

Don't chance it! I'd make a shim if I were you. The pre-stress would not be good.

[tom 0]

Well, using some kind of shim would probably the "safest" way. I thought about it a lot but no realistic solution came to my mind. I just really don't know what to make it from :(

Any ideas?

[vince57 4]

hi tom,

done a few conversions with ice boots myself, all needed a wedge in the heel to sit right, that said i prefer a heel wedge in my inlines now for the on the toes attitude.

made my shims in the past bandsawing/sanding a piece of nylon block to suit. i encountered the same problem doing a graf ice boot to quad roller skate conversion and after talking to the guy who sold me the quad plates he showed me some black plastic wedges that he sells which are manufactured for this purpose, not sure they would be wide enough for an inline chassis though.

would suggest buying some 15mm thick solid nylon block from ebay and getting the saw/drill/grinder out

where in europe are you might be willing to stick you some part finished wedges in the post if you send me an sae.

also possibly some skateboard truck risers however they would have to be reaaly firm polyurethane not squidgy rubber

[tom 0]

Hey Vince, thanks for the offered help!t

I will try to make some shims out of a plastic cutting board which I use in the kitchen to cut meat and vegetables. It is about 15mm thick and is made out of durable plastic but still soft enough to work with it and dremel it. At least I hope so... :) I will try to make some curved wedges out of it next week. Unfortunately I need a shim both at the back AND front, otherwise the gap would be almost an inch at the heel between boot and frame :( ... this would not be good for the center of gravity, I guess.

[fatwabbit 93]

You might consider looking for a hard plastic clipboard. I've got one and have used it in adding shims to the rear of my skates.

[cooperalls 4]

Hey Vince, thanks for the offered help!t

I will try to make some shims out of a plastic cutting board which I use in the kitchen to cut meat and vegetables. It is about 15mm thick and is made out of durable plastic but still soft enough to work with it and dremel it. At least I hope so... :) I will try to make some curved wedges out of it next week. Unfortunately I need a shim both at the back AND front, otherwise the gap would be almost an inch at the heel between boot and frame :( ... this would not be good for the center of gravity, I guess.

HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) is a good material to use, it is commonly used in making cutting boards.

[tom 0]

Finally my project is finished, it was a lot more work than I thought... I chose a 4x80mm setup.

Thank you to all of you for your great support!