How to Jigsaw a Longboard

Modifying an existing longboard using a jigsaw enables you to custom fit the board to your riding style. Without having to build an entirely new board, you can modify the shape of an existing board by cutting away parts of it that you either don't use or don't want for whatever reason. Using a jigsaw will allow you to cut through the plywood of the board with ease, right along a drawn line.

Things You'll Need

  • Adjustable wrench and screwdrivers
  • Long board
  • Marker
  • Jigsaw
  • C-clamps
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the trucks and wheels from the board using an adjustable wrench and a screwdriver.

    • 2

      Remove the grip tape from the board. Slide a slotted screwdriver under the edge of the tape, and pry it up to remove the sheet from the board. The grip tape should be removed to prevent prematurely dulling the jigsaw blade, saving the blade and making a cleaner cut.

    • 3

      Draw onto the board the line where you would like to make your cut. Use a dark black marker, then stand back to check your work. Check that the sections you want to remove will not negatively effect the balance of the board or the mounting of the trucks.

    • 4

      Clamp your longboard plank to a solid work surface using some c-clamps. The board should not be able to be moved while clamped to the work surface.

    • 5

      Place the jigsaw guide plate flush with the surface of your longboard. Turn the saw on, and while keeping the guide plate flush with the surface of the board constantly, push the perpendicular reciprocating blade into and along the drawn line while looking from overhead that the line is being cut along evenly. When the section you are cutting is finished, it should fall away off the board.

    • 6

      Sand the edge you have just cut using some 80-grit sand paper wrapped around a block. You should round the edge similarly to the factory cut edges of the board. Finish using some 200-grit paper to smooth the finished edge. Mount the trucks and wheels using the same hardware you removed in step 1, then reapply a new sheet of grip tape over the upper surface of the board, hiding the bolt heads of the trucks under it.