How to Build a Skateboard

Table of Contents

Once you’ve decided which skateboard design you want, it’s time to build it! Many parts go into making your board, from the wheels to the trucks to the bearings and everything else.

You can either choose to purchase all of these skateboard parts ready from a reputable skate shop or online store. Or, if you’re ambitious, you can find the parts and assemble your custom skateboard!

This guide will teach you step-by-step how to build a skateboard, from choosing parts to final assembly.

What is a Skateboard?

A skateboard is a type of board ridden by jumping and rolling. It requires good balance, agility, and technique to ride. Skate can be made from various materials, including wood and plastic. There is also an electric skate, which is powered by batteries.

A custom skateboard’s main parts consist of four wheels and two metal rails. The deck is made from wood, which is covered in grip tape. Most boards also include trucks, large metal pieces connecting most wheels to the deck, and bushings, which are rubber pieces used as spacers between metal parts of your board.

You can customize your skateboard by picking different colors, larger wheels, or adding extra components like lights or number plates to make it look cooler.

Some also include bearings for added smoothness and speed. There’s usually an axle nut on your board’s top or bottom side that you need to tighten with a skate tool.

There are many ways to build a skateboard and endless options. You can get your board from scratch or purchase one already built. If you choose to build your skateboard, there are a few things you need to know.

Step 1: Choose Your Wood

Choosing the correct wood for your skateboard deck is essential in creating a sturdy, long-lasting board. A good rule of thumb is the stiffer and denser the wood, the more durable it will be. The most common types of wood used are maple, birch, and bamboo. Maple is heavier than birch or bamboo, so it’ll be stiffer and sturdier, which makes it better suited for freestyle tricks.

Birch is lightweight but strong, making it an excellent choice for ramps or cruising boards. Bamboo is also light but not as strong as maple or birch, so this wood should only be used on cruiser boards where you’re not doing heavy tricks.

Step 2: Cut Your Wood

Cutting the wood is the first step in creating your skateboard. First, you need to choose what type of wood you want to use: maple, bamboo, redwood, or mahogany. The choice of wood will affect how light or heavy your board will be and its durability.

If you’re starting on this skateboarding adventure, use maple wood because it’s easy to work with and not too expensive. You can also choose the best chainsaws.

Once you have chosen your wood, take the correct size piece that corresponds with the width and length of your deck (usually seven inches wide by 31 inches long). Next, cut it down into two pieces 31 inches in length each by cutting along the lines on both boards.

Step 3: Choose Your Deck

The deck is the actual structure of your skateboard. It’s what you stand on, and it’s what holds up all the parts. Decks come in many shapes, sizes, and materials. You’ll want to find one that fits your foot size, skating style, and design preferences.

The type of board will also depend on where you intend to skate. For example, street skating usually involves softer wheels, while longboarding often involves harder wheels.

Step 4: Drill Your Trucks

To drill your truck:

Slide the axle into the truck and tighten one of the nuts.
Put on some grip tape for traction and put on the wheels with bearings.
For longboarding, use longboard wheels that are typically softer and have larger grip tape to prevent sliding.

Use harder wheels made of rigid plastic or metal for street skating that won’t give way when you’re doing tricks. A higher-quality bearing will also help make your board faster. A good setup should include a skate tool and an extra set of skateboard bearings just in case your current bearings wear out.

Step 5: Attach Your Wheels

Begin with your bearings. Place the bearing press on top of the bearing, then place the axle nut. Put the bottom of your skateboard deck in the top slot and tighten it down with the screws so it is firmly in place. Use a razor blade or skate tool to slice off excess grip tape where it meets up with the edge of your wheels.

Then, use one hand to hold one side of your board and slide both wheels onto each axle. So that they are evenly spaced, turn them counterclockwise until they are snug against each other. With both bearings in place, you can now attach your wheels.

Step 6: Add Your Grip Tape

Once you have all of your wheels on, it’s time to add the grip tape. Wrap the grip tape around the board so it is about an inch away from your wheel and runs parallel to the top of the board when you are done. Now push down on each end and ensure that your grip tape sticks to both sides.

If not, remove some excess grip tape and try again. Next, use your punch holes and an Allen wrench to attach your riser pads (if you use them).

Step 7: Assemble Your Skateboard

To assemble your skateboard, you’ll need one deck, four wheels, two bearings, one bearing slide
washer, two riser pads, and one wheel durometer. Double-check that the wheel durometer is for the correct wheel size (ex: 78a or 83a).

Before attaching all the parts, ensure you have enough space and no obstacles or furniture. Make sure the bolts on both steel bearings are pointing outwards. To assemble your skateboard, follow these steps:

Place one bearing on each end of the top truck. Place a second bearing washer on each side of the top truck and put it through both bearings.

Frequently Asked Questions | How to Build a Skateboard

How to Care For Your Skateboard

Skateboards are versatile and valuable for many things, but there are a few things you’ll need to do to care for your skateboard.

First, loosen the nuts on the truck’s axle with an Allen wrench.
Next, tighten up both sides of the truck so they’re at even widths.
Then insert your bushings.
After that, attach your grip tape to where the board will be gripped while riding it.
Finally, push your trucks onto the board until they’re tight against each other and secure them with axle nuts (make sure they’re facing opposite directions).
Now you’re ready to ride.

When to Use the Board?

There are a few key things to keep in mind when using a skateboard:

Use it on a flat. Level surfaces free of bumps or cracks. Protect your knees and shins with protective gear if you’re using your skateboard on uneven ground.
Stay aware of traffic around you, and do not ride against the flow of traffic. Skateboarding near busy streets can be dangerous for both you and other pedestrians.
Always wear a helmet and appropriate safety gear, including kneepads and elbow pads.

Is It Easy to Make Your Skateboard?

Making your skateboard is easy if you have the right supplies and follow a few simple steps. You will need a sheet of plywood at least 63 inches wide by 18 inches long, a chainsaw or a jigsaw, wood glue, screws, and an electric drill.

It is challenging to make your skateboard. It requires a lot of time, patience, and skill.

First, you need to find suitable materials.
Then, you need to cut the wood to the right shape and size.
Next, you need to assemble the deck, trucks, and wheels.
Finally, you need to test it and ensure everything is working correctly.

If you’re not careful, you could end up with a skateboard that doesn’t ride well or is dangerous.

Is It Cheaper to Build Your Skateboard?

Building your skateboard can be a great way to save money. But is it cheaper to build your skateboard than to buy one?

To answer this question, we need to consider the cost of materials, the time it takes to build a skateboard, and the quality of the finished product.

The cost of materials is the most significant factor in determining the cost of building a skateboard. A typical skateboard deck costs around $50, and the cost of trucks, wheels, and bearings can add up quickly.

The time it takes to build a skateboard also needs to be considered. It can take several hours to assemble a skateboard; if you’re not experienced, it can be even longer.

The quality of the finished product is also essential. If you’re not careful, it’s easy to end up with a skateboard that’s not as good as the ones you can buy.

Which Wood Is Best for Skateboards?

Skateboarding is a great way to get around and have fun, but choosing the right board for your skating style is essential. Different woods have different properties that make them better or worse for skating. Here’s a guide to help you choose the suitable wood for your skateboard.

Hardness is essential in choosing the suitable wood for your skateboard. The more complex the wood, the better it is for skating. Harder woods are more resistant to impact and wear, so they’ll last longer. Softer wood is more flexible and easier to control but more likely to break.

There are three main types of wood used in skateboards: maple, birch, and poplar.

Maple is the most popular type of wood for skateboards. It’s rugged, durable, and has a good balance of flexibility and strength. It’s also relatively light, which makes it easy to maneuver.

Birch is another popular type of wood for skateboards. It’s slightly more complicated than maple, but it’s still relatively easy to control. It’s also quite light, which makes it easy to maneuver.

Poplar is the least popular type of wood for skateboards. It’s very soft, so it’s easy to break. It’s also quite heavy, which makes it difficult to maneuver.

It depends on your skating style and what you’re looking for in a skateboard. If you want a durable board that’s easy to control, maple is a good choice. Birch is a good choice if you’re looking for a light and maneuverable board. And if you want your board to be easy to break, poplar is a good choice.

Does Zumiez Build Your Board for Free?

Zumiez does not build your board for free, but they can customize it. The store offers all your parts, like skateboard decks, grip tape, punch holes, and different sizes of wheels, for you to tailor your board as desired. They also provide fine-tuning and customization options such as air bubbles, smaller or larger feet, and other bearings if desired. All the skateboard parts can be found at Zumiez if you want to custom skateboard.

Is Skateboarding Good Exercise?

Skating is an excellent form of exercise and doesn’t require any equipment. It burns about 450 calories per hour depending on weight, height, different widths, age, and other factors. It builds strength in your core muscles. It’s also great for your coordination and balance, as well as for your mental health.

Skateboarding can also help you become more in tune with the world around you by forcing you to pay attention to what’s happening while skating so you don’t get hurt. Plus, because skateboarding can be a freeform activity, it allows people of all ages and physical abilities to participate in the sport while still having fun doing it.

Wrap Up

Skateboarding can be an enjoyable and addictive activity, perfect for teens and young adults looking for a new sport. If you’re interested in learning, we’ve put together this guide on the basics of skateboarding construction.

This guide includes instructions on choosing the right board, selecting the proper hardware, and assembling your skateboard. Once you have built your skateboard, remember to take it out and enjoy it!

What is a Skateboard?