How to Build Your Own Skateboard (Do it Yourself)
A skateboard consists of three elements: the board or deck,the wheels, and the trucks, which connect the wheels to the deck. You can craft your own sweetride by putting them together yourself.
Putting your first skateboard together, can be challenging. You can do it, but it is challenging task the first time. Many beginning skateboarders decide to upgrade their
beginner skatboard instead of attempting to build their own board from scratch. Here at the InternationalSkateboardersUnion.com we have a complete article on upgrading you skateboard here: The Best Skateboard Brand in the World when you are readg to upgrade your skateboard (Reviews & Buyers Guide)
The biggest mistake most people make when deciding to build their own board is they start the custom skateboard project without all the parts and tools they need. So here is a checklist of what you will need.
- A skateboard deck / board
- A Tape Measure
- Grip Tape
- A Metal File
- A Utility Knife
- Bearings
- Skateboard Trucks
- Skateboard Wheels
- Axle Washers & Nutes
- Socket Wrench
- Mounting Bolts
- Skateboard Tool
- Riser or Shock PadsStep 1. Pick a deck that refliex your personal skating style. Examine the wood’s flexibility. to determine which end is the nose and which is the tail, use the tape measure to measurethe distance from the predrilled holes to each end. The nose will measure farther awayfrom the holes.
Step 2. Cover the top of the deck with grip tape by laying the sheet of tape carefully and evenly on the board, to prevent air bubbles. We have a video on this step here:
How Do You Apply Grip Tape to a SkateboardStep 3. When you are satisfied with the way the tape lies on the board, press down on it firmly for a few secondsto lock it in place. With a utility knife,trim all of the excess tape that is hangingover the side of the board, and file the edges with the metal file.
Step 4. To assemble the skateboard wheels, remove the nut and washer from one end of one of the truck axles, and slide abearing onto it. Drop a wheel on top, and gently press the wheel over the bearing untilit’s covering the bearing completely.
Step 5. Slip the wheel off of the axle, slide another bearing on the axle, and slide the other side of the wheel over it until both bearings arein place, covered by the wheel. Repeat the process for all four wheels, and set themto one side.
Step 6. Slip a washer on one of the axles, followed by a wheel, and finallyan axle nut. Tighten the nut over the axle with a socket wrench. Don’t overtighten. Spinthe wheel to make sure it spins easily. Repeat for all four wheels. For trucks that comewith four washers per axle, slip on a washer, the wheel, another washer and then the axlenut.
Step 7. Using a mounting bolt or utility knife, poke holes from the bottom of the deckthrough the grip tape. Turn the right side up, and slide the truck mounting bolts throughthe holes in the top of the board. For added protection and flexibility, slide a riseror shock pads on to the truck bolts before attaching the trucks.
Step 8. Turn the boardupside down, and slide the trucks onto the mounting bolts, so the kingpin bolts faceon each truck face each other. Use the skate tool or a wrench to tighten all the bolts. Leave the kingpin bolts loose for easier turning; tighten them for more stability.
Overtighteningthe kingpins can reduce your ability to steer around sudden obstacles.
Step 9. Congratulations!You’ve got a custom skateboard. Now get riding!
Did you know Originally most skateboard wheelswere made of clay, but now they’re made of more durable polyurethane?