How to Make a Skateboard

A skateboard is a fun transportation and exercise tool for kids and adults alike, and it’s useful for getting around! It can also make a satisfying home craft project.

Basic Parts of a Skateboard

Learn the lingo that refers to each part of a skateboard before you make your own.

Deck

This is the wooden board and is the main part of the board, where you stand. It has a gritty material on it, called grip tape.

Trucks

These are the large metal parts of the board that attach the wheels to it.

Bearings

These allow wheels to move smoothly. They’re available in steel and ceramic materials. You’ll need eight of these for your skateboard for this project.

Wheels

This one is self explanatory, and they allow you to be mobile on your board.

Hardware

You’ll need these eight screws and eight bolts to act as the hardware of your board to keep everything together.

Step 1 - Gather the Wood

You will need an abundance of plywood for this project. Gather six to seven pieces that are 30 inches by 10 inches in size and about one 17th of an inch thick.

Step 2 - Adhere the Wood

You’ll need to layer the six to seven pieces of wood on top of each other using wood glue in this step. Use a paint roller to spread a thin layer of glue along the top of the first piece and on the bottom of the piece you’re sticking on to the bottom one. Then, press the piece of wood on top of the bottom one. Press down with both hands on the piece to adhere it well. Repeat this process until all of the pieces are stuck together.

Step 3 - Use the Mold and Tape Together

Use masking tape to now attach the board of wood you created to a styrofoam mold in the shape of a rectangle that has a dip in it. Wrap two pieces of tape all the way around the board right before the upward curve. The mold should go on top and on bottom of the wood.

Step 4 - Seal the Wood in a Vacuum Bag

Place the wood and styrofoam mold in a vacuum bag and use an air pump to remove any air from the bag. The bag must be perfectly air tight to get the wood to mold properly.

Step 5 - Let it Sit

Allow the board to press in the mold for eight hours. Check on it every two to three hours to ensure that the bag is still air tight.

Step 6 - Remove the Wood

Now, take the wood out of the bag and out of the styrofoam mold.

Step 7 - Trace the Shape

Now, use a pencil to trace the shape of your board onto the wood. Use an old skateboard to do this if possible. Keep in mind that the tail of the board should be slightly more narrow than the tip or nose of it.

Step 8 - Cut the Wood

Use a jigsaw cutter to cut the board out along the outline you drew.

Step 9 - Sand the Board

Next, sand the entire edge of the board with a belt sander. You’ll want the edge to curve down slightly towards where the wheels will go. After you sand the board with a belt sander, follow up the process with a hand sander and then with fine sandpaper to smooth the edges completely.

Step 10 - Paint Your Board

As desired, paint your board or stain it. Customize it to your liking—this step is fun!

Step 11 - Drill Holes

You need to add trucks to your board, and to do so, you need to drill the appropriate holes. “Trucks” are the metal pieces that adhere the wheels appropriately to your skateboard. Use an old skateboard and lay it atop your new board and mark where the holes are. If you don’t have an old skateboard, use a ruler to measure out five center points on your board. These should be on the flat part of the board.

Step 12 - Adhere Grip Tape

Peel off the grip tape and lay it down firmly on your board, allowing it to adhere evenly. Use a box cutter or exacto knife to get rid of excess tape along the edges.

Step 13 - Add the Trucks

Using the holes you drilled, add the trucks and bearings to your board.

Step 14 - Attach the Wheels

Finally, attach the wheels to the trucks so that your board is mobile. This is the last step of the process before you can hit the pavement with your new board!