Hobbies and Crafts

A skateboard can be build.

Whether you want to build a whole skateboard using a variety of brands or just need to replace a part, you can easily build your skateboard with a few tools, such as an allen wrench, or skateboard multitool.A skateboard deck should have bearings, trucks, wheels, and grip tape.It is easy to modify your regular board, longboard, or penny board.

Step 1: Look for a workspace.

There is a flat workspace where you can assemble your skateboard.You will be dealing with a lot of small parts.An open space on the floor is a good place to put a large work table.If you don't have enough room to lay out your parts and tools, it will be hard to find what you need.If you need a particular piece of hardware, keep it in the original boxes or packaging.Buying a blank board from a local shop will allow you to implement your own design on the board.

Step 2: The proper tools are assembled.

You can use a regular set of tools.The easiest method is to use a multitool made for skateboards which include a variable size sockets wrench, screwdriver, and Allen wrench.You will need a razor blade to cut your tape.Skateboard tools have a razor and a file.If you don't have a box cutter, you can use a straight edge razor or a metal file.The deck will probably cost around $10, but the materials for the skateboard will be more expensive.

Step 3: Get grip tape.

The part of your board that you stand on is called the deck.The black and gray grip tape on top of your deck helps you maneuver your board without slipping.There are many brands and types of grip tapes.If your deck doesn't have the grip tape already applied, you will have to apply it yourself.There are different lengths and widths for decks.Most skate decks are around 7.5”Do you want to use your board in a park or on the street?Consider your stature.Shorter skaters with smaller feet don't need as wide of a deck as taller skaters do.Some grip tapes are softer than others.The tape is made from different grains.If you are new to skating, you may want a coarse grip so that your feet don't slip.

Step 4: Get your vehicles.

You have a lot of options when it comes to your trucks, wheels, and bearings.For everyone's preferences, the size, width, and height of these components will be different.It's a good rule of thumb to get trucks that fit your board size.You do not want trucks that are too wide for your board.Polyurethane is a material that allows you to grip, slide, and move fast.There are different options for the size of the wheel.The biggest and lightest cruising wheels are for longboards.The harder the wheels, the better for street skating and tricks at the park.There are wheels that fit in between.The wheel sizes range from 49-75mm.Street wheels are usually 50 to 55mm.The vert and longboard wheels are close to each other.The bearings go into a grooves inside each wheel.The metal axle on the truck is fixed with the help of the bearings.Different bearings can affect how far you can go.The 608 is the most common bearing size.The industry standard is for these bearings to fit most wheels.Steel and ceramic bearings are available.The performance of your board and movement can be improved by ceramic bearings.Steel bearings are more than sufficient if you are new to skateboarding.Many trucks are sold in singles.If you are buying trucks online, make sure you get a pair.

Step 5: The deck should be laid down on a flat surface.

It isn't very hard to put grip tape on your deck, but it takes some practice to get it looking great.Place your deck on a flat surface, right-side up.The flat part of your board should be pointing up with the nose and tail pointing down.Due to its design, your board may not be completely flat.Hard Maple is a good type of wood for skateboards.

Step 6: The backing of the tape needs to be removed.

The rectangular sheet of grip tape is larger than the board.Before peeling, lay it over the nose and tail of your board.The back portion should be peeled off.When you remove the paper from the grip tape, be careful not to get the tape stuck to anything and ruin it.The back paper needs to be removed at once.

Step 7: Place your tape on the deck.

Pull the tape taught by pinching the ends of tape between your thumb and forefinger.Use your middle fingers to find the nose and tail of your board.You will not be able to see the ends with the tape hovering over.If you want to lay the tape down straight, you need to line the edge of your board with the length of the grip tape.

Step 8: The tape should be laid down at the center of the nose and tip, so that it will fall onto the deck.

Take your palms and smooth out the grip tape after you put the tape on the deck.To remove air bubbles, press down hard.Start in the middle of your board.Excess grip tape around your deck is normal.You have to remove the extra tape because your board is more of an oval.

Step 9: Once your grip tape is laid down, take your file and put it on the edge of your board.

The outline of the deck will be created by this.Use the edge of your Allen wrench if you don't have a file.

Step 10: Remove excess tape.

Cut away any extra grip tape with a straight razor or box cutter.Start in the center of your deck and cut a small incision that is parallel to your board.It will be easier to cut away extra grip tape from this incision.Cut around the entire deck.The easiest way to get a smooth cut is to angle the razor slightly toward the top edge of the board, hold the outer portion of tape and slide it toward you.The razor is very sharp and facing you, so be very careful when doing this.Slow down and take your time.

Step 11: The edges of the tape should be sanded.

The sticky part of the tape should be on the inside when you fold it over.Run the tape around the edges to sand the edge.The grip tape should be sanded to prevent it from peeling.

Step 12: Take your screws and put them in.

punch holes through your grip tape with your screwdriver or Allen wrench.Find the holes on the bottom of your board by holding your deck upright.If you want to see where your screws are, take your screwdriver and punch holes.Put your screws through the top of the board.The proper size screws are used to attach the trucks to the board.You will have to purchase screws and nuts separately most of the time.Some sets have two screws that are different colors.The screws are used to differentiate between the tip and tail of the board.To keep the grip tape in place, hold it down with two fingers and punch a hole.

Step 13: Attach the trucks.

Put the trucks on your board.To align your trucks, hold the screws in place with one hand.The baseplate has trucks attached to it.There are four holes in the baseplate of your truck.The T shaped part of your trucks will be facing down if placed correctly.If you can't tighten the baseplate with your hand, take the nut that came with the screw and screw it on over it.To tighten it further, use your sockets wrench.Once your trucks are attached, hold the wrench in place over the bolt with one hand, and tighten the screws further with a screwdriver from the other side.Make sure your trucks are facing out.The flat part of the hangar is on the front of your trucks.The brand's logo is usually stamped on it.The way is forward by the bushings.The rubber parts under the truck's top nut are colored.The trucks should be facing out.The sides should be facing away from each other.You can buy packs specifically designed for skate trucks if your trucks don't come with hardware.When you are done, you should not be able to jiggle the trucks because the heads of the screws should be flush with the grip tape.

Step 14: Take your bearings and insert them.

Your bearings and wheels are working together.First you need to remove the nut and washer from the truck.You need to grab a bearing.You will see a ridged side on your bearings.You want the side facing out.The bearing should be on the side facing up.When you feel the bearing slide into the center of the wheel, take your wheel and press it down.The wheel should be removed and a second bearing put on.Pick up the wheel and flip it over.Stand the board on the edge of the flat surface for leverage.If you put the second bearing on, face your wheel out and expose the graphics side.Some wheels may have graphics on both sides.You can attach the bearings to the wheels without using your trucks if you have a bearing press.

Step 15: Attach the wheels to your car.

Attach the nut to your washer by placing it on top of your bearing.If you can't screw the nut down with your hands, grab your skate tool or wrench and tighten it.If you have new wheels, tighten the nut as far as you can.The bearings will be pushed further into your wheel.Once everything is tightened, loosen the nut so the wheel can spin.Make sure your wheel can spin sufficiently if you loosen the nut a few times.Pull the wheel with your fingers.You should be able to feel it moving.

Step 16: Make sure that everything is in tip top shape.

Stand your board on the ground with everything in place.You can even skate around a bit.See how well the wheels spin when you test the tightness of your trucks.If the board feels wobbly, tighten the trucks.The nut on the kingpin should be turned clockwise about half a turn for each truck.If your trucks are too tight, loosen them.The nut of your car should be turned counterclockwise.Make sure your trucks are screwed into the deck.The tightness of your wheels should be adjusted.You may need to tighten your wheels if you aren't rolling as well as you should.