How to Build a Wooden Skateboard

A skateboard is a long, narrow wooden board that usually curves up at both long ends with two pairs of wheels on the underside. You can build your own wooden skateboard with some basic carpentry materials and tools. Having an old skateboard that you like is useful for the first time making a board. You will need access to a skateboard mold but as long as you can find one of these you will be able to perform the entire process yourself with very satisfying results.

Things You'll Need

  • 1/17-inch thick veneer
  • 1/20-inch thick veneer
  • Skateboard mold
  • Wood glue
  • Short-pile paint roller
  • 10 C-clamps
  • Drill press
  • Jigsaw
  • Orbital sander
  • 100-grit sandpaper
  • 250-grit sandpaper
  • Tack cloth
  • Wood lacquer sealant
  • Skateboard wheels
  • Screwdriver
  • Grip tape
  • Scissors
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Instructions

    • 1

      Lay one piece of 1/17-inch thick veneer on a skateboard mold and roll a thick layer of wood glue all over it. Use a short-pile paint roller to apply an even layer.

    • 2

      Place another piece of 1/17-inch thick veneer on top of the glue and roll glue on top of the second layer.

    • 3

      Continue to add veneers in this order, rolling a layer of glue between each one; 1/20-inch veneer, 1/17-inch veneer, 1/20-inch veneer, and two final layers of 1/17-inch veneer. You should have seven layers of veneer on the mold, each held together with glue.

    • 4

      Place the top of the mold on top of the pile of veneer and clamp it securely shut with five C-clamps on each end. Remove the wood from the mold once the glue has formed.

    • 5

      Drill the truck holes in the board for the wheels. The truck holes will accommodate the screws that will attach the wheels to the board.

    • 6

      Use a drill press to make the holes evenly. Where you place the holes depends on the exact wheelbase you want. You can measure the wheelbase from an old board if you want.

    • 7

      Cut out the shape of the board with a jigsaw. You can either trace a board with a shape you like or you can make up your own design for cutting out the board.

    • 8

      Sand the edges and the surface of the board with an orbital sander using 100 and 250 grit sandpaper. You want to round off the edges of the board and start sanding the surface with 100 and finish off for a very smooth finish with 250 grit.

    • 9

      Clean the board with a tack cloth to remove all of the sawdust you created by sanding and apply a layer of wood lacquer sealant.

    • 10

      Attach the wheels in the truck holes with a screwdriver. The size of the wheels you use should correspond to whatever wheels you used to measure the truck holes.

    • 11

      Apply grip tape to the top of your deck. You should trim the grip tape to size with scissors before peeling off the adhesive backing.