How to Make a Skateboard From Scratch

According to Skate Parkitecture, it's estimated over 200 companies in the United States make skateboards and skateboard-related items. Some 25,000 skateboard wheels are produced every day, and 100,000 skateboards each month. Making a skateboard from scratch is an effective way to customize a board and save money. It's fairly easy to do, but you'll need the proper tools to successfully complete the job.

Things You'll Need

  • 1/2-inch-thick piece of plywood
  • Skateboard trucks
  • Skateboard wheels
  • Grip tape
  • Band saw
  • Router or sandpaper
  • Power drill and bits
  • Screwdriver
  • Wrench
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase the 1/2-inch plywood, skateboard trucks, skateboard wheels and grip tape. Birch plywood is a good type of wood to use for the deck because it has good flexibility.

    • 2

      Place the necessary tools in your work area. These include a bandsaw for cutting the wood; a router for smoothing the corners; a power drill for making the holes; and a screwdriver and wrench for tightening everything up. Bring these items to the work area.

    • 3

      Trace the shape of a skateboard on the plywood with a pencil. The board should be between 7 and 8 inches wide and between 31 and 32 inches long. All four corners should be rounded, with a curve starting about two inches from the end of the board. Use your bandsaw to cut out the tracing. With the router, smooth out the edges and round out the corners. You do not want any splintered wood hanging from the edges. If you don't have a router, sandpaper is a good substitute.

    • 4

      Drill holes in your board where you want the trucks to connect. The trucks are the metal brackets on the underside of the skateboard. The holes for the trucks should be drilled in the front and the back of the board about three inches from the end. Connect the trucks to the board using the hardware included with the trucks. You'll need a screwdriver and a wrench to tighten them down.

    • 5

      Attach the wheels to the trucks. Unscrew the bolt on the end of the truck, place the wheel on the truck and then tighten the bolt back down on top of the wheel. Keep in mind wheels differ; small tires are preferred for doing stunts.

    • 6

      Apply your grip tape to the top side of the skateboard. The grip tape will allow you to keep your footing when riding your skateboard.