Blank Skateboard Decks

The most affordable board for skaters to purchase is a blank skateboard deck. These decks are taken right from the factory and sold direct to skateboarders with no graphics or branding.

Because we manufacture our own skateboard decks we are able to sell them directly to skaters often cheaper than a blank deck.

All of our skateboards come branded with a logo on them. This is your assurance of quality. Plus, you support helps us sponsor skateboarders, host contests, donate product, do fundraisers and tons more.

ABOUT BLANK SKATE
I must confess that I am a bit obsessed with skateboard decks. I have been skateboarding for over 20 years and even after all this time it still consumes 90% of my thoughts. It is my life and passion to continue skateboarding until I simply can not do it any longer. I also want to show others the rewards and frustrations it will bring you over the course of your life.

I started Blank Skate for 2 reasons:
1. Large sporting goods companies and manufactures were entering into the skateboard industry at a time when skateboarding was growing. Up until that point, you could only buy quality skateboards and a skater run shop. Blank Skate was created as a way to combat this and keep skateboarding in small and local core skate shops

2. I come from an area that does not have a lot of money. Many kids (including myself) struggled to come up with enough funds to buy new equipment when it is clearly needed. By offering quality price point products, more kids can skate longer.

It really was that simple. And it has gotten complicated in recent years. Our business plan is often copied, but NEVER DUPLICATED!

Because of such an influx of "blank deck" suppliers over the past 5 years the skateboard industry has taken a strong stand against unbranded and shop decks.

Since we began selling boards in 2001 we have continually strove for progression, quality and customer service. I believe it is what really separates us from other companies out there.

We don't just dump imported skateboard decks on popular auction sites. We actually take the time to Manufacture a 100% USA Made Skateboard Deck.

We make and skate the very decks we well. Not many other companies can make that claim. Very few in deed. Most companies have thier decks made for them and then mark them up and sell them.

We have our own wood shop. We control the quality of our product down to each layer of veneers.

What Makes our Boards Different?
Our Hard Rock Maple Veneers come from the Great Lakes Region of the USA.
Our Glue comes from Ohio
Our Sealants are made in Pittsburgh PA

Our decks truly are 100% AMERICAN MADE.
Our shop is 100% Skater Owned and Operated.

Why is this important?
Try going into any large sporting goods store and getting some help on a skateboard product. They have no idea. In fact, in the town where we are located when kids go in to ask about skateboard items the large sporting goods store employees just send them down to our shop!

There is no preparing you for how much actually goes into manufacturing your own skateboard decks. The set up costs, the labor, the down times, the truck loads, the surprises all add up and weigh you down. You have to keep up with them or they will bury you. I've seen boards all my life. 100's at a time. You think it has to be an easy process since there are so many out there. Most skaters never take into account what it actually took to make that skateboard deck.

VENEERS:
There are 3 primary types of maple veneers you will use. Cross Bands, Core Pieces, and Sanded. You can mix and match different widths to achieve different weights and strengths. Generally skateboard decks are constructed with 1/17th inch veneers. Other sizes that you can experiment are 1/20th, 1/22nd, 1/24th.

When we choose hard rock maple veneers for our skateboard decks, we use only 100% American Hard Rock Maple.

GLUE:
After you get your wood ready to be pressed, you have to glue up the layers of veneers. You can do that with either a roller or a machine. The Glue we used is water based and when it fully cures it is waterproof! Sounds weird, but it is true. This glue was developed specifically for the skateboard industry.

You want to make sure you have good coverage on all layers to prevent problems down the road. If there is going to be a problem with a skateboard deck, this is usually the place where the problem with stem from. One of the most common problems with skateboard decks is delamination. This is when one of the layers of glue fail and then separate. This happens because not enough glue was used to press the decks.

PRESS
Stack them up and put them in your molds. Cold press them for 90-120 Minutes. You can use other types of glues that set in 5 minutes!

DRILL
After they come out of the press and sit for at least 24 hours, you can put them in your drill press or use a template to drill the holes. This will drill all 8 holes at once through 4 boards at a time. You are essentially drilling 32 holes at a time!

FLUSH CUT
This step uses a template to cut the shape of the deck out. This is the first step where you can really see a skateboard deck take shape. The edges are perfectly squared up.

CORNER ROUTE
Now you will begin the see the deck in its true shape appear. This step rounds off the square edges from the flush cut router.

SANDING
Sanding is perhaps one of the most important steps in skateboard deck manufacturing. This is the first stage where the person sanding the board really crafts the skateboard deck. You can often tell who sanded the deck just based on the finished product. Each sander has thier own style. While the results may look the same to most people, those who sand can tell the work of others.