How to Make Longboard Molds from Skate Decks

Longboards used for transportation take daily abuse. Replicating your favorite ride, well before you skate through it, is a skill for which almost every skater longs. By creating a mold of your existing longboard, you provide yourself the ability to craft a backup board for when your old deck is useless. With the correct measurements and the knack for fine-tuning, you can construct a longboard mold to use time and time again. Veneering yourself a new deck, with the use of your mold, assures you'll never be without your trusty ride.

Things You'll Need

  • Favorite longboard
  • Table
  • Sheet of Styrofoam insulation (blue board) with an R rating of 9 or 10
  • 25-inch by-50 inch Styrene sheet
  • Roll of construction or craft paper
  • Flexible ruler
  • Straight edge
  • Pen or marker
  • Utility knife
  • Masking tape
  • Surform
  • Foam sanding block
  • Jigsaw
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Instructions

    • 1

      Tape the Styrene sheet to your table with masking tape. Mark its lengthwise center point with the ruler and marker.

    • 2

      Measure the width and length of the longboard you want to replicate. Mark the measurements onto the Styrene and connect the points to create a rectangle. This box represents the top profile.

    • 3

      Draw the side profile onto the Styrene with your marker. Your side profile will be as long as your measured deck and 2 inches thick, matching the Styrofoam insulation. Connect the measurements to form another rectangle.

    • 4

      Cut a length of paper the size of your longboard. Fold it in half lengthwise.

    • 5

      Place your paper onto the table and lay your skateboard on top, centering it lengthwise

    • 6

      Trace the outline of your skateboard onto the paper.

    • 7

      Cut out the paper deck template with your utility knife. Open it up.

    • 8

      Lay your template onto the Styrene, making sure to line up the fold with the center line. Trace the outline of your deck onto the Styrene with a marker.

    • 9

      Place your skateboard onto its side in the side profile rectangle on your styrene. Trace the side profile.

    • 10

      Cut out the Styrene side and top templates with your utility knife.

    • 11

      Cut another length of paper. Place your board on its side and trace the concave top sheet template for your deck. Cut this out.

    • 12

      Cut a piece of Styrofoam insulation to match the length and width of your template. Mark the lengthwise center line.

    • 13

      Place your Styrene top template onto the Styrofoam, making sure to match the center point. Trace it onto the Styrofoam. Additionally, trace the side templates and the concave template onto either side of the foam.

    • 14

      Score the Styrofoam with the utility knife to follow the side profile. Starting at the tail, cut the side profile with your jigsaw. Repeat this process on the nose.

    • 15

      Follow your lines carefully and shave both sides of the concave into the top of the Styrofoam with the surform.

    • 16

      Complete your mold by sanding the side profile and concave of your deck with the foam sanding block. Make sure to stick true to your template lines and sand until it's smooth.