How to Build a Complete Skateboard
Materials
- Grip Tape
- Deck
- Safety Knife
- Skateboard Hardware (set of eight bolts and nuts)
- Skateboard Trucks (set of two)
- Set of Bearings (two for each wheel, eight total)
- Skateboard Wheels (set of four)
- Skate Tool with 1/2” and 9/16” sockets and a 10/32” nut driver
- Allen Wrench (only for allen type hardware)
- Risers (optional)
- Screwdriver
- File or scrap grip tape for smoothing edges
Step 1: Putting the Grip tape on the deck
Remove plastic from the deck. Peel back about 2” of grip backing paper and place the grip tape,
centered on the nose, leaving a 1/2” to 3/4” overhang. Working from the nose, pat down the griptape towards the center, then to the tail. If you find air pockets in your grip tape, use a small push pin, poke the center of the pockets and pat the grip down. Small air pockets will work their way out afteryou begin riding your board. Using a sharp knife, cut around the deck at a 45 degree angle so your grip tape isn’t hanging over the edge. You can always
go back and trim any jagged edges. Using a file or a piece of scrap griptape, sand the edge of the grip, leaning toward the topof the board (so you don’t ruing the paint on the side of the deck)
Step 2: Inserting the Bearing in the Skateboard Wheels
Carefully remove the nut and two washers from the truck axle. Put them aside. Insert the bearings into each wheel by first placing the bearing on the truck axle with the metal sidedown. Put the wheel onto the axle and press to insert the bearing. Repeat on both sides for each wheel.
Step 3: Installing the Skateboard Wheels on the Trucks
To attach the wheels, place one of the washers onto the truck first followed the complete
wheel and the second washer. Use a skate tool to secure the wheel with a nut. Repeat for the other three wheels.
Note: The nut should be tight enough to securely hold the wheel, but loose enough that the wheel can still spin easily.
Step 4: Installing Skateboard Truck Hardware
If you haven’t done so already, pop through the screw holes in your skateboard deck. There should be eight holes total. Insert a screw into each hole.
Step 5: Attaching the Skateboard Trucks
With the large bolt (kingpin) facing the center of the deck, attach the skateboard trucks to the screws. Tighten the bolts using a screwdriver or skate tool.