A Beginner’s Guide to Assembling Your First Skateboard

Do you want to experience the thrill of skateboarding? Feel like trying out some of those cool flips and tricks you see on TV? If you’re already enthusiastically on board, then you’re in for a real treat. For many fans, it’s so much more than a regular sport or hobby – skateboarding is a passionate lifestyle that inherently requires a lot of dedication and hard work.

But even the greatest of skateboarders need the support of proper equipment in order to pull off their stunts. By far the most important piece on the list is, well, a skateboard. You’re not exactly a skater if you don’t have one, right? Let’s dive into some of the basic features that make up a good skateboard.

What Do You Need to Build a Skateboard?

Here’s the thing, you can always get a ready-made skateboard from a random shop and be done with it, but there’s just something so special and unique about creating your own model. It grants you the freedom to personalise it as much as you like and tailor it to your preferences. Building your own skateboard is certainly a one-of-a-kind experience.

Even if you do buy a prefabricated model, you’re bound to replace a few faulty parts here and there, right? This is why it’s advisable to have a general idea of what the basic component parts of a skateboard are.

Deck

This is the heart and soul of your skateboard. It’s the long, wooden platform that stands on while performing your tricks. Not only does it provide the necessary support, it also ties all of the other parts together, creating a single unit. It’s safe to say that durable skateboard decks play a vital role in the functionality and maneuverability of your board.

These days, most skate decks are made of seven to nine layers of birch or maple wood with a laminated finish. The shape isn’t completely symmetrical since there are subtle differences in the front and back parts of the deck. Both ends are angled upwards to give you the signature ‘kick’ of the board but the nose, or front portion of the board, is usually longer than the tail.

In any case, a good quality deck should be both tough and lightweight so that it can withstand the constant kicks and flips. If you notice that a board is too heavy or chunky, chances are it’s not made of quality materials and it’s best to look elsewhere for something more suitable.

When you’re looking at different models of skateboard decks, place them on the ground and try them out before you buy. A general rule of thumb is to get a board that’s only slightly narrower than the length of your feet. In other words, if your heels are aligned with the side of the deck, your toes should stick out ever-so-slightly at the front.

Be careful with the width though, since narrow boards are usually more difficult to handle for beginners. Sure, it’s responsive and flexible, but these traits may prove to be a disadvantage for up-and-coming skaters, at least until they get the hang of things.

And, lest we forget, those board designs these days are truly impressive, wouldn’t you agree? It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for something for a simple monochromatic design or you want to kick things up a notch with graphic patterns and vibrant colours, you’ll definitely find something that suits your taste. The choice is entirely up to you.

Wheels

Most skateboard wheels are made up of polyurethane, which is a sturdy and resilient material. Plastic wheels are generally avoided because they’re usually characterised by low quality and contribute to poor overall performance. You definitely don’t want to break a wheel mid-flip or turn because that can cause some serious injuries.

Materials aside, wheels are classified according to their diameter and hardness. The general size range is anywhere from 50 mm and up to 70 mm, depending on your weight and the size of your deck.

Wheels that are on the larger and softer side are better at shock absorption but fall short in the stability category. On the other hand, wheels that are smaller and harder provide a better grip and board feel. This, in turn, makes it easier for you to perform tricks on both sidewalks and skate parks.

Trucks

These are the metal axles that attach the wheels to the deck. They play a huge role in how the board feels and how it responds to your movements.

Any skateboard truck buying guide will tell you that for the best performance results, they should be about the same size as your deck – they should definitely not be sticking out from the sides. To match the size, make sure to align the outer edge of your wheels with the outer edge of your deck. This will increase stability and provide a greater range of movement, both of which are crucial features for any skating enthusiast.

Bearings

Simply put, you can’t just stick the wheels directly onto the trucks. They need to be connected to round metal discs, known as bearings, before being attached to the rest of your board. These discs fit inside the wheels, allowing them to spin freely in accordance with your movements.

A fully-assembled skateboard has a total of eight bearings – two for each of the four wheels that make up the bottom portion of the deck. Most of them are made of high-functioning stainless steel, which absorbs most of the friction and allows the wheels to turn quickly.

Assembly Tools

Getting all the necessary individual parts is only the first step to building your custom skateboard. Once you’ve got all the components laid out, you’ll need a few assembly tools to piece them all together.

The necessary hardware list includes grip tape, a razor blade or cutting knife and a whole selection of bolts and screws. Starting the assembly might seem a little tricky initially but once you figure out where each piece is supposed to go, it becomes a breeze.