Do you have a skateboarding passion and want to taste the thrilling ride but haven’t got a skateboard yet? Or do you want your first skateboard kit assembled but don’t know how to do it? You are on the brink of the knowledge required for assembling a skateboard. Your skateboard kit needs your little help to come up in working condition.
You’ll find many articles across the internet that tells you the right way of assembling, but they put too much information in a single article. The information in such articles is enough to get you irritated. However, our experienced team tried to answer how to assemble a skateboard in an easiest way to tell you the quick way to assemble your first skateboard.
How to Assemble a Skateboard: Follow These Steps For An Easy Solution
Assembling a skateboard demands a basic knowledge of what you are exactly doing. However, assembling the skateboard is not rocket science. You can’t assemble the skateboard without specific tools and accessories. So, we recommend you make a checklist of tools you may require before starting the work.
Checklist of the Accessories and Tools
Incomplete accessories set or tools may harm your process and lead to face time wastage. We also don’t want you to feel irritated about missing any tool while assembling the skateboard. Before assembling your skateboard, we have prepared a checklist of accessories and tools you may require.
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- Wide table (for easy working)
- Humidity-free environment
- A skateboard deck
- 4 spacers
- A screwdriver or other blunt object
- 8 bolts to attach trucks
- Wheels set with complete bearings
- A set of bushings made according to your specifications
- Two trucks
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- Skateboard grip tape
- A skate tool or a 1/8″ Allan wrench
- A razor blade
- 2 riser pads (optional)
Make sure that you have checked the checklist and ensured the availability of the tools and accessories. Once you mark the checklist, you may start the assembling process. Before starting the project, ensure the availability of a wide table or a desk to work on. We recommend you to begin the procedure by attaching deck and the grip tape.
Attaching the Deck and Grip Tape
If you are a beginner, applying the grip tape could be the hardest part. Don’t hesitate to start, because it is not that hard and can be completed by yourself. You just need a common sense, however, it requires some focus and attention to start the things off. You need confidence and some tools to succeed. Let’s start the project.
Ensuring the Tape’s Appropriate Length
Be sure that the tape covers the skateboard deck. Decks with shorter lengths and narrower widths are easier to cover with tape. However, it becomes more difficult to cover boards 8.5 inches or larger than those with narrower decks. You can use the standard grip, but you will need to pay extra focus to using it because of the sensitivity.
Removing the Plastic Sheet
We recommend you completely remove the plastic sheet from the board. Put one end of the plastic sheet through the length edges (Nose to tail) to check its proper alignment.
- Tapping the Grip Tape
Begin to tap the grip tape slowly from the back and draw it to the front. While you are working, keep the grip tape on the opposite side angled. Your index finger should rest on the deck.
- Scraping the corners
You can use any blunt tool to scrape the corners of the deck. It should be done quickly and firmly to create a fine line. Moreover, it will lead you to get a precise cut.
- Adjusting the edges
Use a Stanley knife to make a small cut along the edge. However, ensure and focus that you haven’t cut through the deck. Otherwise, you may face some durability issues.
- Cutting the extra tape
You will need to puncture the grip tape on the end of the skateboard’s deck. Keep your blade angled towards the deck. It is important to know the direction to get a clean cut, and we suggest you direct it towards yourself.
- Sanding the Edges
Rub the edges with leftover grip tape but make sure you utilize the rough side for higher efficiency. It will make the line cleaner and protect it from getting peeled.
- Making Holes For the Bolts
After sanding the edges, the next step is creating holes in the tape for the screws or the bolts. Make sure that your deck is completely covered with the grip tape. Turn the screwdriver and gently push the holes back. It will create ease for you to attach the bolts at a later stage.
After completing the first step, we recommend you let the skateboard deck dry for some time. We recommend you to wait for 30 to 35 minutes for drying purpose. Different experts may not recommend it, but it provides the best way to finish things in good style. Additionally, there are some cautions and solutions related to this step. (We’ll discuss them later)
Inserting the Bolts
If you’ve completed the grip tape, it’s time to put screws in the holes you have already made in the first step. However, if you haven’t pierced the holes yet, it is the moment to do it. Otherwise, you may waste your time. If you let the skateboard deck dry properly, you can simply punch a hole. Drying the tape won’t affect the process of creating holes.
Puncturing the Screw Holes
However, you can punch the screws directly from the screw holes, but we recommend you to do so with any other blunt object. Additionally, you can make the process simpler by using a screwdriver. You must insert it through the tape sticking out in the holes’ back.
Checking the Alignment of Bolts
After puncturing the holes, insert the bolts through the deck. Make sure that the bolts get to their suitable depth. Otherwise, you’ll lost them, and you must buy new bolts. Additionally, check the proper alignment for the bolts so that attaching the riser pads won’t affect them.
Attaching the Riser Pads
Attaching the riser pads is an optional step, and if you do not have riser pads, don’t bother with this phase. However, we recommend you attach the riser pads for higher stability and firm grip of the trucks and another mechanism. The thing which gets affected is the loosening of trucks after some time.
Choosing the Right Size
We suggest you buy the correct length bolts when you choose your riser pads. However, there isn’t something exceptional that requires explanation, and you can do it easily. Additionally, ensure that your trucks are sized correctly to the riser pads. The checking doesn’t require any unique tool, and you can judge it by your common sense.
Attaching Your Trucks
After you have attached the riser pads, it’s time to connect the trucks. We suggest you keep one thing in mind to put them on right place. Make sure the kingpins are directed towards the inside, or you’ll be able to experience a very awkward ride. One of our teammates did the same thing but got an uncomfortable ride. Based on that experience, we won’t recommend doing so because of the non-beneficial move.
Securing the Bolts Tightly
Be sure to secure the bolt tightly; otherwise, the ride could become extremely uncomfortable. Additionally, you’ll feel them as you try to perform the Ollie or kickflip. Moreover, if the bolts poke out a little bit, you’ll cause damage to your shoes, and even you may cut your foot. We recommend you to play no compensation policy to it.
The Recommended Method to Tighten the Truck Bolts
Our team also uses the method for tightening the truck bolts. You may require a skate tool, and half-inch socket or wrench to hold the nut, and a screwdriver. Starting the process,
- Set your trucks onto the bolts with proper
- Keep the nut on one side, then use a screwdriver (if you have a screw head) or a wrench (if you have a bolt head) to secure the bolt to the other
- Tight the screw or the bolt in a way you find
- Make sure that screws don’t remain So, grab your screwdriver or wrench and secure the bolt onto its grip (without compromising).
- Make use of your skate tool and begin to turn the Secure the nut; if using a socket wrench, rotate the screwdriver to tighten the nuts.
- Be sure that the riser pads didn’t Otherwise, you may lose the alignment.
Putting the Bearings and Spacers in the Wheels
If you have open bearings, the process may become very simple. However, we recommend you ensure that you have placed the open side to the wheel’s outer side. The process will assure that they don’t become filthy. If the wheels are equipped with graphics, ensure that you put the image to the outer side. It won’t hinder performance and make your skateboard aesthetic.
Suggested Procedure
You can use skate tools or the trucks’ wheels to squeeze into the accurate place. Ensure their placement, so they don’t protrude. We recommend using spacers to keep your bearings from being crushed as you tighten the axle nuts. You’ll need a skate tool to do it easily and follow the steps.
- Put the first bearing on your You can simply press bearings in by using your hands.
- Put the wheel and bearing on the truck’s axle and then apply slight pressure for the proper We recommend using some force if it doesn’t fit in the right place. However, be careful while applying force, and don’t try to overdo it.
- Insert the spacer and simply slide it over the
- When you add the second bearing, ensure that you apply the pressure with your
- Unplug the wheel, rotate it, and place it back on the Press the wheel until the bearing is popped out.
In Case of Having Issues With the Procedure
If you’re having trouble getting the bearing into the right position, try using silicon oil or lubricant. You can apply the oil on the wheel’s inner side and the bearing’s upper part. It will allow bearings to be fitted without creating such a mess. However, don’t apply too much oil or lubricant.
Attaching the Wheels
The process of attaching the wheels is pretty simple. We suggest you keep one thing in mind: not tighten your truck’s axle nuts excessively. It will create harm the bearings, and you have to replace them as well. Be sure to connect washers or speed rings to the bearings to protect the outer surface part. This addition may protect against the damage to the bearing and allow boosting the rotation.
Recommended Way
You may require a skate tool or a wrench to complete the task.
- Attach the washers to the axle of your
- After attaching the wheels, the spacers may move slightly and hinder the axle We suggest you wiggle it a bit. As a result, the wheel will drop into the right position.
- You should place the washer on the outer side to protect it from unnecessary
- Attach the truck’s nut to it and tighten the However, you shouldn’t tight it too much; otherwise, the skateboard’s wheels may get stuck.
Some Cautions For The Process
Avoiding the Air Bubbles During Grip Tape Attachment
Ensure the grip tape angles towards you during the tape application. Slowly apply pressure to the grip and then work towards the back. Be careful and try not to slide your hand, as it may fall off your skin. Pat your hands from back to front. By making an angle, slowly move it toward the front.
Skateboard decks have a concave shape. Therefore, laying the grip tape in a straight line can make air pockets. If you feel air bubbles appear, just take the grip off and begin again. Remember that the grip will not stick immediately, and you can remove it to get it right.
Bubbles shouldn’t be a problem because you can puncture air pockets, but we recommend you to stay clear of pockets that are too large. You can also avoid it if you slow down the process a bit. We also recommend performing the process with little more attention to avoid bubbles.
Scraping the Edges
We recommend you to use a screw driver or any blunt tool for scraping the corners of the tape. However, we recommend you not to repeat the process so that you don’t ruin the edges. A single but solid and rapid scrape is enough for higher efficiency. Additionally, ensure that you do it quickly and with the right force, scrape it in a fine line.
Our team makes use of an old screwdriver to clean the edges. Many skateboarders use a hard file or the hardboard, but any blunt tool works perfectly well. Try to position the handle near the edges of your work so you can use more force and with greater accuracy. You will require a screwdriver or other sharp object to complete the task.
Making Cuts and Lifting Tape on the Edges
Use a blade or a sharp object to cut neatly to both ends, just in front of the deck’s nose and tail curvature. Once you’ve cut the lines with a screwdriver, you can create a second scrape on top of the cut. We recommend the method because you’ll not face many issues cutting the area.
Moreover, we recommend you lift the grip tape slightly from the outside. It prevents your hands from getting stuck on the tape’s adhesive part. It also creates ease cutting the tape. To cut the grip tape, just lift it a bit with care. Use a sharp blade to remove the tape edges for a cleaner cut.
Cutting the Grip Tape
When you lift the grip tape, it comes to taking it off. The most important aspect here is to cut in the direction you prefer. Our experience suggests that you’re more in control of cutting in your direction than the other. We, recommend cutting in your direction.
If you cut by yourself, especially when you are new, it may confuse you. Make sure that your blade provides complete precision, as it can make the procedure considerably simpler. One of our teammates used a blade that wasn’t sufficiently sharp; she got an awful result. Her skateboard’s tape got stuck and combined at some place.
After the assurance, make a cut near one end by ensuring the blade is straight towards the deck. If you’re using a blade for cutting, you should try to put your finger against the deck side to create a stable cut. It will stop the blade from moving and give you a neat cut. Using a sharp knife, use the correct angle; otherwise, you may ruin the edges.
If you mistakenly cut through the deck, take a step back and cut again when you get around. Once you have reached an end, take your board and rotate it, and then stick the blade back where you started. Put pressure on the deck using your other hand to keep it from moving and cut through one end.
After that, move the board further while you turning the deck. However, be aware that it isn’t always possible to do the turn several times. After turning, just continue cutting your way until you reach the end of the skateboard deck. When you reach to the skateboard’s corners, remove the left over tape and cut it off.
Conclusion
How to assemble a skateboard? The question may influence many skateboarders’ thinking. Every expert presents their way of doing it; however, reading too many articles may confuse you. We have tried to provide some simple steps to assemble a skateboard. Enjoy and do it without having any trouble. Good luck!