Designing a skateboard involves purchasing the various components that make up the complete skateboard setup. The skateboard consists of the deck, the two trucks, four wheels and eight bearings. The deck has a wooden construction and remains the vital piece of the setup. The two trucks, fastened to the underside of the deck, allow the skater to lean back and forth to turn the board. Each of the trucks holds two polyurethane wheels, which allow the skateboard to roll. Each of the four skateboard wheels holds two ball bearings, which fit into either side of the wheels.
Step 1
Drive to your local skate shop. Purchase a skateboarding deck with a colorful graphic design on the bottom or opt for the cheaper blank deck option. Buy a sheet of standard black grip tape or one of the more colorful options.
Step 2
Purchase a set of four skateboarding wheels in a color option of your choice, which have a diameter of 50 to 55 mm. Buy a set of ABEC 7 bearings to go inside the skateboarding wheels. Invest in a set of hardware for the skateboarding setup that costs around $5.
Step 3
Transport your newly purchased skateboard materials to a flat surface where you can construct the board. Place the skateboard deck flat on the surface with the bottom of the board facing down. Peel off the paper from the underside of the sheet of grip tape. Press the sticky underside of grip tape against the top of the deck.
Step 4
Press the grip tape hanging off the edges onto the bottom of the deck. Remove the extra grip tape by cutting around the edge of the deck with the box cutter. Cut a small hole in each one of the eight holes in the top of the deck.
Step 5
Press the eight bolts into the newly cut holes. Turn the skateboard deck over. Lay one truck on top of each set of bolts. Place one nut onto each bolt. Hold the nuts in place with the head of the wrench. Tighten the bolts with the tip of the screwdriver.
Step 6
Push two ball bearings into each of the circular wheels using the butt end of the screwdriver. Align two wheels onto each of the trucks. Place one of the large nuts on top of each wheels. Tighten the nuts with the head of the wrench.
Things You'll Need
- Deck
- Trucks
- Wheels
- Bearings
- Grip tape
- 8 small nuts and bolts
- 4 large nuts
- Wrench
- Screwdriver
- Box cutter
Member Comments