Making a skateboard deck at home can be as simple as cutting a pattern out of plywood and bolting on a couple of trucks. This basic approach will get you rolling quickly and easily. For the more serious builder, try the Thin Air Press from Roarockit. The Thin Air Press uses a vacuum to form wood veneers to a foam mold inside a vinyl bag. This will press in the curves typical of a modern skateboard.
Basic Skateboard Deck
Step 1
Place a skateboard deck on top of the plywood and trace the outline onto it.
Step 2
Cut out the outline with a band saw or saber saw. Shape and round the edges with a rasp. Sand the edges smooth with sand paper.
Step 3
Measure across the board on both ends to locate the center. Make two marks about 3 inches apart along the center line on both ends. Draw a line through the marks. Measure about 4 inches from the board nose and draw a line perpendicular to the center line using the carpenter's square. Measure back about 30 inches from that line to the other end of the board and draw another line perpendicular to the center line.
Step 4
Align the front edge of each skateboard truck with one of the perpendicular lines and center the trucks along the center line. Mark the plywood through the truck bolt holes. Remove the trucks. Drill a hole in each mark, slightly larger than the bolt holes.
Step 5
Decorate the bottom of the board and seal the plywood with polyurethane clear coat. Allow the clear coat to dry thoroughly. Place grip tape on the top of the board and trim it around the edge of the board.
Roarockit Kit
Step 1
Gather all of your materials together on a smooth, flat surface. Work quickly, but thoroughly, during the gluing process.
Step 2
Place the first and second layer of wood veneer next to each other. Apply the glue with the roller evenly to both veneers. Place both glued sides together, aligning the predrilled truck bolt holes with the alignment pins provided. Press the veneers together with your hand. Repeat this process until all veneers are glued together.
Step 3
Place the veneers onto the foam mold and align the veneers to the mold. Position the breather mesh on top of the veneers. Place the elastic bands around the veneers and the mold.
Step 4
Slip the veneers, breather mesh and foam mold into the thin air press bag and seal it. Pump the air from the bag to form a vacuum. Ensure that the bag has not slipped between the veneers. If so, release the vacuum, readjust the bag and reapply the vacuum. Allow the glued veneers to cure for 24 hours.
Step 5
Release the pressure from the thin air press bag after 24 hours. Carefully open the bag and remove the veneers, mold and breather mesh. Remove the elastic bands, then remove the veneers from the mold and mesh.
Step 6
Inspect the veneers to ensure they are properly glued and tightly sealed to each other. Use the rasp to shape and round the edges of the skateboard deck. Use the sandpaper to smooth the edges.
Step 7
Decorate the bottom of the deck, then seal the board with a polyurethane clear coat and allow it to dry completely. Apply grip tape to the top of the board and trim it, accordingly.
Things You'll Need
- 1 2-by-4-foot sheet of 3/4-inch cabinetry plywood
- Band saw or saber saw
- Rasp
- Sandpaper
- Polyurethane clear coat
- Skateboard trucks
- Pencil
- Drill with drill bit
- Grip tape
- Carpenter's square
- Or:
- Roarockit skateboard deck kit
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