Building a skateboard deck involves adding on the various components that make up the deck setup. The pieces that make up the skateboard deck include the four wheels, two metallic trucks that hold the wheels, and the eight ball bearings which allow the wheels to turn. The deck builder must attach all of these vital elements to the bottom of the skateboard using eight nuts and bolts. Skaters apply a rough tape to the top of the deck---defined as grip tape---so their shoes won't slide off the deck.
Step 1
Place the two trucks on a flat surface. Flip them over so they sit on the square-shaped base. Cut open the package of bearings with the box cutter. Press one bearing into both sides of one of the skate wheels using the butt of the screwdriver. Repeat this process with each of the four skateboard wheels.
Step 2
Insert the horizontal bar protruding from the side of the truck through the hole of one of the wheels. Place another wheel onto the opposing side of the truck. Place one large nut onto the horizontal bar on each side of the truck.
Step 3
Tighten the nuts by adjusting the wrench and turning it in a clockwise direction. Repeat this process with the remaining truck and the two other wheels.
Step 4
Place the wooden skateboard onto a level surface. Pull the backing paper off the sheet of grip tape starting at any of the four corners. Hold the grip tape with both hands so the sticky side of the grip tape faces down. Place the sheet of grip tape directly on top of the wooden board.
Step 5
Rub around the top edge of the newly gripped board with the side of the wrench. Cut the excess grip tape off the board with the box cutter. Press one small nut through the grip tape and into each of the eight holes of the board. Flip the board over.
Step 6
Install one truck onto each set of four small nuts. Tighten one bolt onto each nut after adjusting the wrench. Flip the board over. Put pressure on top of the newly constructed skateboard deck to ensure the elements on the bottom of the board have been tightly fastened.
Things You'll Need
- Wooden skateboard
- 4 wheels
- 2 metal trucks
- 8 bearings
- Sheet of grip tape
- Hardware
- Box cutter
- Wrench
- Screwdriver
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