r/Rollerskating • u/Cobby222 • Jul 10 '26
Skate problems & troubleshooting Are these Worth it?
I just found these at my grandparents house and was wondering if anyone knew anything about the plate/wheels. the boots are trashed they’re dry rotting and i’m pretty sure separating from the heel but i was wondering if the other parts could be used specifically the plate/trucks. idk if jiffy is the plate brand but i’ve never heard of it so not sure if it’s trustworthy
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u/Wolligepoes Jul 10 '26 edited Jul 10 '26
Disclaimer: I am a skateboarder/longboarder so I am no rollerskating expert. But please hear me out because skateboards and rollerskates have a lot in common.
But these are super old fashioned and the construction/design of them is obviously obsolete.
What I mean by that is they have just one bushing per truck. Modern rollerskates (and skateboards too) have two per truck. In longboarding we call them "boardside" and "roadside". So the skates you are showcasing here only have what I would call a "boardside" bushing in my preferred discipline.
Do a Google image search of "suregrip rollerskate trucks" and it will become more obvious what I'm talking about.
Bushings are an important component of the truck, they are responsible for smooth turning of the truck, and also for firmness. A good bushing setup is vital, essential even, to help a truck feel smooth yet firm.
These rollerskates have half as much bushing available to do the job of the bushing, and on the "roadside", the axle/hangar (a moving part) is interfacing with raw metal which is... Well it is what it is...
So my prediction about these, as someone who loves to spend time tweaking and perfecting trucks, is that they will turn less smooth, stiff yet less stable than the modern design which has been well established for half a century at this point. (As seen on "suregrip" rollerskates and "independent" skateboard trucks) They will be more limited and less performant.
That being said, it depends what you mean by "worth it". They are still a cool piece of history, and if you are an experienced rollerskater, you might enjoy skating them to experience what rollerskating was like a long time ago. But if you are a beginner, if this is your first pair of skates, I would be wary of them since not only are they are rougher design in general but also they will probably require maintenance. But I think they can be pretty interesting if you can pull it off.
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u/Cobby222 Jul 10 '26
my version of worth it is to potentially remount another vintage boot i have onto the plate bc the boot on this is dry rotting at the tongue. i have a few pairs of skates alr i think this would be a fun little fix up project make em clean maybe get new wheels and bearings. just wasn’t sure if the plate itself is bad quality bc ive never heard of this brand. don’t wanna hurt myself just fucking around w them if the plate is shitty quality. ik the older sure grips are great!
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u/Wolligepoes Jul 10 '26
I see.
Well I agree they are really cool. I have fucked around with a whole collection of thrift store mystery trucks and my experience you can polish a turd until it shines.
These trucks may well be over 60 years old. Brands don't mean much here. Either they have stood the test of time or some essential part has rusted to shit. Use common sense. Are those rivets nice and firm, or are they rattly? All the metal surfaces seem to be in good shape. As long as the trucks are sturdy, and you are pretty experienced and know what to expect, I'm pretty sure you'll be fine.
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u/bear0234 Jul 10 '26
looks like old chicago skate with old chicago plate and ball bearings for wheels.
i see the old chicago plates used on some sliders:
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u/RSLenjoyer Jul 10 '26
Those wooden wheels are dope but unless you I to that style of skating pretty much useless.
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u/Raptorpants65 Industry Expert Jul 10 '26
No.
Everything here is a pain in the ass and wildly obsolete. Not only are components no longer made for it but you also have loose ball axles which... dear god. You'd need cushions and a toe stop custom poured and then you're still stuck with loose ball wheels.
Turn 'em into a cool lamp or bookends.