How to Build Skateboard Risers

Skateboard risers help absorb heavy impact from landing tricks, and they raise the skateboard off the trucks, allowing more ground clearance. There are two basic types of risers: ones made of hard plastic for the sole reason of a higher-set deck, and shock-pad risers, which lift the board while helping absorb shock. You can make shock pad risers at home at little cost, while saving your skateboard extra stress and wear.

Things You'll Need

  • Skateboard
  • Phillips screwdriver
  • Pliers
  • Car floor mat
  • White marker
  • Heavy-duty scissors
  • Strong glue, such as JB Weld or Loctite plastic epoxy
  • Small piece of scrap lumber
  • Drill with bit sized to deck's hardware
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Instructions

    • 1

      Take both trucks off your skateboard using the pliers to grip the nut and the Phillips screwdriver to unscrew the bolts. Lay the base of one of the trucks on the floor mat and trace the circumference with the marker. This will be your template.

    • 2

      Cut out the template with the scissors. Lay it on another section of the mat and trace it like you did the truck and cut it out. Do this until you have six separate pieces to work with.

    • 3

      Glue three pieces together like a sandwich, making sure they are lined up precisely with each other. Do the same with the remaining three pieces. Let them dry for at least one hour.

    • 4

      Lay one of the glued pads on the piece of scrap lumber. Set and center one of the trucks over it and drill from the holes in the base of the trucks through the rubber, until you hit the wood. Do this until both pads have four holes that align with the trucks.

    • 5

      With the new pads between the trucks and deck, put the screws back in and tighten your trucks.