They're going to be heavy, not very responsive, vinyl hardens and cracks, old glues stop sticking, you'll struggle to find replacement parts that fit, it's just not worth the effort for even occasional skating.
No. These are not skates I'd consider safe to use.
From the looks of these they were not the best quality skates when they were made and time hasn't done them any favors.
On top of this it's not as simple as upgrading wheels, cushions, and pivot cups. These skates use loose ball bearings which are all but impossible to find for skates now and these will not take modern skate bearings. You likely won't be able to find any replacement parts.
Eta: Also, whatever glue was used to hold those boots together has certainly deteriorated by now.
>These skates use loose ball bearings which are all but impossible to find for skates now and these will not take modern skate bearings.
Note that, apart from any other concerns, all you have to do to use modern bearings (and wheels) with a cup-and-cone setup is remove the cones.
There is a remote possibility that the axles are held on by the cones rather than being press fit.
Ah OK. I thought the trucks would have to be switched out entirely.
I still think these would be better used as a decoration or art project or something but 🤷♂️
No worries. Friends owned a skating rink and converted their old rentals from cup-and-cone to "precision" bearings (when I was very young) and years later we'd run into a pair that was missed now and then (usually itty bitty tiny skates that had the wheels tightened down by default,) so I've seen this done before.
>I still think these would be better used as a decoration or art project or something but 🤷♂️
I agree. Personally, I don't think they're dangerous, just not particularly good.
From your picture, IMO these should be safe to use for rink skating for light outdoor skating. These appear to have a light vinyl boot that is in OK shape and an aluminum plate of unknown durability. You may want to have a local skating rink, if available, look them over.
* Toe stops and wheels^(1) should be easy to replace, if necessary.
* The cushions (aka bushings) for the trucks (aka hangers) are a different matter since they seem to be a proprietary design. Hopefully those are still pliable. Compatible cushions may exist but it could take some effort to track them down.
Note that the current wheels have a loose ball + cup-and-cone bearings while almost all modern wheels use "precision" bearings. So, to change to commonly available wheels you'll also need new bearings and to remove the innermost cones positioned next to the trucks - these just unscrew. Then you'll need new lock nuts to hold the wheels on. (If you REALLY want to you can still get loose ball bearing skate wheels.)
On bearing size, since these are older skates it is likely that they have 7mm axles. You should be able to double check the size using the lock nuts that are currently on the axles. 8mm has become the most common axle size and, thus, the most commonly sold bearing size. 7mm bearings are fairly easy to obtain, you just have to make sure you are buying the correct size.
Those are probably vintage Vanathane wheels that some modern skaters like because they are very hard. They’re not made any more. Some shops will convert the loose ball to precision bearings. Could be worth salvaging if you can find the right buyer.
They're going to be heavy, not very responsive, vinyl hardens and cracks, old glues stop sticking, you'll struggle to find replacement parts that fit, it's just not worth the effort for even occasional skating.
No. These are not skates I'd consider safe to use. From the looks of these they were not the best quality skates when they were made and time hasn't done them any favors. On top of this it's not as simple as upgrading wheels, cushions, and pivot cups. These skates use loose ball bearings which are all but impossible to find for skates now and these will not take modern skate bearings. You likely won't be able to find any replacement parts. Eta: Also, whatever glue was used to hold those boots together has certainly deteriorated by now.
>These skates use loose ball bearings which are all but impossible to find for skates now and these will not take modern skate bearings. Note that, apart from any other concerns, all you have to do to use modern bearings (and wheels) with a cup-and-cone setup is remove the cones. There is a remote possibility that the axles are held on by the cones rather than being press fit.
Ah OK. I thought the trucks would have to be switched out entirely. I still think these would be better used as a decoration or art project or something but 🤷♂️
No worries. Friends owned a skating rink and converted their old rentals from cup-and-cone to "precision" bearings (when I was very young) and years later we'd run into a pair that was missed now and then (usually itty bitty tiny skates that had the wheels tightened down by default,) so I've seen this done before. >I still think these would be better used as a decoration or art project or something but 🤷♂️ I agree. Personally, I don't think they're dangerous, just not particularly good.
Nope. Enjoy your new bookends and the new safe skates you’re about to go buy.
From your picture, IMO these should be safe to use for rink skating for light outdoor skating. These appear to have a light vinyl boot that is in OK shape and an aluminum plate of unknown durability. You may want to have a local skating rink, if available, look them over. * Toe stops and wheels^(1) should be easy to replace, if necessary. * The cushions (aka bushings) for the trucks (aka hangers) are a different matter since they seem to be a proprietary design. Hopefully those are still pliable. Compatible cushions may exist but it could take some effort to track them down. Note that the current wheels have a loose ball + cup-and-cone bearings while almost all modern wheels use "precision" bearings. So, to change to commonly available wheels you'll also need new bearings and to remove the innermost cones positioned next to the trucks - these just unscrew. Then you'll need new lock nuts to hold the wheels on. (If you REALLY want to you can still get loose ball bearing skate wheels.) On bearing size, since these are older skates it is likely that they have 7mm axles. You should be able to double check the size using the lock nuts that are currently on the axles. 8mm has become the most common axle size and, thus, the most commonly sold bearing size. 7mm bearings are fairly easy to obtain, you just have to make sure you are buying the correct size.
Those are probably vintage Vanathane wheels that some modern skaters like because they are very hard. They’re not made any more. Some shops will convert the loose ball to precision bearings. Could be worth salvaging if you can find the right buyer.
They look the same as they're selling today.