Assembling a Complete Skateboard by Joshua J.
Table of Contents About This Manual......................................................................................................3 Manual Contents ...................................................................................................................................................3 Intended Goal .........................................................................................................................................................3 Intended Audience .....................
About This Manual Manual Contents This manual will help you assemble a complete skateboard. It assumes that you are building a standard size skateboard comprised of standard parts. It also assumes that you understand how to use basic tools such as a screwdriver and wrench.
Understanding the Skateboard This section provides a brief background on what a skateboard is, as well as a detailed description of the parts and their functions. This section defines the terminology needed to explain how to build a complete skateboard. Skateboard Components A skateboard is a four wheel mode of transportation made of multiple components. It has a wooden deck with grip tape applied to the top for better traction. This deck is mounted to two trucks.
Terms Definitions Deck The actual board of a skateboard. It is the flat, long, oval/rectangle, usually wood, part of the skateboard that you stand on. Skateboard decks are classically made of 7 plies of wood, usually maple, laminated together. Grip Tape Grip tape is the gritty, sand papery layer that's applied to the top of a skateboard deck for traction. It allows your shoes to grip the board. Hardware The screws and nuts that are used to connect the trucks and the deck.
Gripping the Deck This section will show you how to grip the deck of your skateboard. It lists and illustrates all the materials and equipment necessary to perform this task. It also explains the correct techniques and skills involved with this task.
Gripping the Deck 1. Remove the plastic wrapping from the deck. 2. Put aside any warranty cards and/or stickers that may have come with the deck. NOTE: Make sure that the top side of the deck has a clean surface before gripping. 3. Peel back the paper on the bottom side of the grip tape until the adhesive is completely exposed. Paper Adhesive 4. Line up the grip tape parallel to both rails and then lay it flat so that the deck is covered.
5. Pull the grip tape up at one end until the grip tape rests on one kicktail. Grip tape resting on one kicktail 6. Using one hand, flatten the grip tape to board from one kicktail to the other as shown in figure 2. WARNING: Flatten the grip tape to the deck from the inside to the outer rails as you move from one kicktail to the other. Not doing so will cause air bubbles to form between the deck and the grip tape.
7. Flip the deck over so that the grip tape faces downward. 8. Using the razor blade, cut a slit into the excess grip tape so that the slit is aligned with a mounting hole.
9. Repeat step 8 for all mounting holes. 10. Flip the deck over so that the grip tape faces upward. 11. Rub down the edges of the deck using the shaft of the flat head screwdriver. NOTE: Rub the edges very hard, and at an angle, until the grain of the grip tape is worn off and the grip tape is white along the edges.
12. Bend the excess grip tape back and forth across the white line that was formed along the rails. NOTE: You are trying to make the white line even weaker, so that it will cut smooth and easy. Bend the grip tape along the entire perimeter of the deck.
13. Rub the edges of the deck an additional time using the screwdriver shaft. 14. Bend all the excess grip tape at the white line so that it sticks straight into the air.
15. Use the razor blade or box cutter to cut along the white line that you just wore into the grip tape. WARNING: Razor blades are extremely sharp and should be handled with care. Always cut away from your body and keep hands and fingers clear. NOTE: Make your cuts long and smooth so the edges don’t look choppy.
16. Rub down the rail edges again with the screwdriver shaft. 17. Flip the deck over so that the grip tape is facing downward. 18. Use a paperclip or toothpick to poke a hole into the grip tape through a mounting hole.
19. Repeat step 18 for the remaining mounting holes. 20. Flip the deck over so that the grip tape is facing upwards. 21. Poke the Allen wrench component of the skate tool or the flat head screwdriver through the previously made hole on the top side of the grip tape. NOTE: The purpose of this step is to increase the size of the holes so that the mounting hardware can go through the grip tape with ease. 22. Repeat step 21 for all 8 holes in the grip tape.
Mounting the Trucks to the Deck This section shows you how to mount your trucks to your skateboard deck. It lists and illustrates all the materials and equipment necessary to perform this task. It also explains the correct techniques and skills involved with this task.
Mounting the Trucks 1. Remove the hardware from the packaging. 2. Insert a screw through one of the holes from the topside of the deck. 3. Repeat step 2 for the remaining holes so that there are four screws inserted in the shape of a square. 4. Align the screws that are protruding from the deck with the holes in the base plate of the truck.
5. Place the truck over the screws so that the screws protrude through the base plate. NOTE: The kingpin of the truck must always face inwards for both the front and back truck. Kingpin facing inward, toward the center of the deck 6. Use your fingers to put a nut on the end of a screw. 7. Turn the nut clockwise until you can't anymore. 8. Repeat steps 7 and 8 for the remainder of the screws. 9. Place the socket wrench around the nut that is on the screw (See Figure 4A). 10.
11. Keep the screwdriver in place so the screw can’t rotate. 12. Turn the socket wrench clockwise to further tighten all the nuts until you can’t anymore (See Figure 4C). NOTE: The nuts must be tightened in a diagonal order. After tightening one nut, move to the screw in the opposite diagonal corner and proceed. B A C Figure 4 (A-C) 13. Repeat steps 1 through 12 for the other truck.
Installing the Bearings into the Wheels This section explains how you install your bearings into your wheels. It lists and illustrates all the materials and equipment necessary to perform this task. It also explains the correct techniques and skills involved with this task. Materials and Equipment 2 Trucks 8 Bearings 4 Wheels 4 Axle Nuts 8 Washers ½ in. Socket Wrench Figures 1 through 3 illustrate the parts of the skateboard’s trucks, wheels, and bearings.
Installing the Bearings 1. Remove the wheels and the bearings from their packaging. 2. Place the bearing into the wheel. NOTE: The bearing won’t fit all the way into the wheel; the fit will be too tight. 3. Apply pressure on the outside metal rim of the bearing. WARNING: Do not press on the shield or the center of the bearing. 4. Press the bearing down into the hole. NOTE: You should be able to press the bearing down to where it is flat with the edge of the wheel. 5.
7. Fit an axle nut on the end of the axle, outside of the wheel. 8. Tighten the nut with a socket wrench by turning clockwise. WARNING: Tighten nut slowly, if you tighten too fast or too hard you can damage the bearing. NOTE: Do not tighten the nut too far. Tighten it just enough so that it stops turning. 9. Loosen the nut slightly so that there is a small space between the wheel and the truck.
10. Jiggle the wheel back and forth on the trucks so that it moves a small amount. NOTE: The wheel should make a soft “clack” sound when moving the wheel back and forth. This space allows the wheel to spin faster and more freely. 11. Repeat steps 2 through 10 for the remaining wheels.
Attaching the Wheels to the Trucks This section shows you how to attach your wheels to your trucks. It lists and illustrates all the materials and equipment necessary to perform this task. It also explains the correct techniques and skills involved with this task. Materials and Equipment 2 Trucks 4 Axle Nuts 8 Washers 4 Wheels (bearings already installed) ½ in. Socket Wrench Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the parts of the skateboard’s wheels and trucks.
Attaching the Wheels 1. Choose one of the axles on one of the trucks to begin. NOTE: There are two trucks per skateboard. Axle Choose One 2. Unscrew the axle nut from the axle by turning it to the left (counterclockwise) using the ½ in. socket wrench. WARNING: Do not remove or misplace the washers that lay on the axle. They are needed to complete ‘Step 3’.
3. Remove the first washer (outside washer), but leave the second washer (inside washer) on the axle. First Washer (Outside Washer) Second Washer (Inside Washer) 4. Place the wheel on the axle so that the axle fits through bearings. NOTE: The remaining part of the axle will stick out the other side of the wheel through the outer bearing. 1. Stick Through 2.
5. Place the washer back onto the axle on the outside of the wheel. Washer Place washer here 6. Screw the axle nut back onto the axle on the outside of the wheel using the ½ in. socket wrench. Axle Nut (Outside Wheel) Screw Back On (Turn Right or Clockwise) 7. Repeat steps 1 through 6 for the remaining 3 axles.
Finalizing the Skateboard Before the completed skateboard can be used, you must test and adjust each component of the skateboard. Testing after Completion To test your completed skateboard you must first carry out 5 steps: 1. Set skateboard in a riding position on the ground (preferably carpet). 2. Stand on the top of the deck and transfer your weight between your toes and heels. NOTE: This will flex the bushings of the trucks and expose any loose screws on the skateboard. 3.
Frequently Asked Questions This section answers some frequently asked question about skateboards and how to maintain your parts. FAQs Question: How Do I Store a Skateboard, or Skateboard Decks? Answer: First, you want to make sure that your skateboards and decks are kept dry. Don't store them outside during wet weather, even if they are under a tarp, or on an open porch. The wet air will, over time, warp the board.
Question: How do I determine my skateboard size? Answer: Deck width and length are determined by personal preference. It also is determined by the type of skating. Wider decks (over 8" wide) are normally used for vert/ramp skating. Narrower decks (7.5" - 8.0") tend to be used for street skating. Question: How do I adjust the trucks on my skateboard? Answer: Before you skate check your newly assembled deck for anything you might have missed.
Question: How do I take care of skateboard bearings? Answer: The inside of your bearings contain small steel balls that will cause friction when not clean. So every once in a while, your skateboard bearings will require cleaning to free them from the dust and dirt that builds up both on the inside and out. This will keep your skateboard rolling fast and you'll find you won't have to push as hard, making your time on your skateboard much more enjoyable.
