How to Make A Skateboard

Newcomers to the world of skating are generally content to start off with a pre-assembled skateboard right off the shelf. As your skills evolve, however, you'll begin to notice that standard boards tend not to accommodate certain intricacies of the sport. Maybe you need better handling on your slalom curves, or maybe you want a little more cushion when you grind the rails. When questions like these arise, it's time to customize your own skateboard.

Building a custom board is a task which will demand an in depth knowledge of the design and options available for your deck, truck, and wheels. When deciding how to make a skateboard, you will need to consider not only how you skate now (usual surfaces, favorite moves etc.), but also how you want to skate in the future, as your improvement continues to make more options achievable.

The skateboard deck you choose will depend on how you spend most of your time skating. If you're passionate about doing tricks, you'll want a deck with a deep concave shaping, with raised kicks for ollies and flips. If you're a downhill racer at heart, you might prefer a more streamlined long board that picks up speed as it cuts air. If you've seen footage of Jamie Thomas breaking right through his board while attempting his infamous Leap of Faith you'll understand how the actual strength of your skateboard can save your bones; as such you might want to consider an extra ply in your deck wood.

The trucks you select while planning how to make a skateboard will be a matter of balancing weight against durability. Some skaters like to reduce the weight of their boards as much as possible, looking to shave every ounce of mass they can by ordering cast aluminum. Other skaters, particularly those on a budget, go for stronger trucks made of titanium alloys or pewter. Skateboard tricksters might also consider impact dispersion systems with thick rubber shock pads, which are available from manufacturers such as Phantom Trucks. Those with the money to spare might also decide to embellish their trucks with 24k gold, but don't expect those to stay pretty for very long if you do a lot of grinding.

Most skateboard wheels are made of rubber, specifically urethane blends of varying levels of density. The latest technology offers wheels of dual texture, with soft inners for improved support and tough surfaces for increased durability. You'll need to decide what profile best fits your needs, whether it be flat and wide or tight and rigid. Design is something to consider as well. Some of the most dynamic artwork in the skateboard world appears on the wheels, which can be neon bright or devil dark, with any number of eye catching shapes and patterns.

Building your board from the basic components is a step forward in your evolution as a skater. Creating a custom board frees you to be the master of your own destiny; no longer a blind consumer riding on someone else's idea of the perfect vehicle. Ultimately, when split-seconds mean the difference between a smooth landing and a rough slam, you'll want as much control over your equipment as possible.