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How to Make Longboard Skateboards

Make a longboard skateboard by assembling each component needed for riding it properly. Longboards are assembled in the same way as smaller decks, although some of the equipment needed varies in size. Proper assembly ensures that the longboard can be ridden without damage to any of its components, allowing for a smoother ride with added trick consistency. Make your own longboard with the necessary components and a skate tool, in order to avoid having a skate shop assemble it for you.

Things You'll Need

Grip tape
Box cutter
Phillips head screwdriver
Skate tool
8 bolts, 1 1/4-inch
8 nuts, 3/8-inch
2 trucks, 10-inch
4 wheels
8 wheel bearings
8 washers, 7/16-inch

Instructions

- 1
  Attach grip tape to the deck. Unroll the grip tape at one end of the longboard, while pressing it down as it unravels. Smooth out any air bubbles with your hands for best results. Cut the remaining grip tape off with a box cutter from around the edges of the deck.
- 2
  Attach the trucks to the longboard. Push through the grip tape at each of the eight mounting holes, and then insert the 1 1/4-inch mounting bolts facing down. Slide the longboard 10-inch trucks over the bolts' ends, with each of the axles facing the tail and nose. The kingpins should be facing each other. Place the screwdriver into each of the eight mounting bolts, and then tighten the 3/8-inch nuts on the other ends with your skate tool.
- 3
  Insert the bearings into each of the four wheels. Turn the skateboard on its side, slide a bearing onto the truck's axle, and then press the wheel onto the bearing until it pops into place. Repeat for each side of the four wheels.
- 4
  Add wheels to the longboard. Place 7/16th-inch washers on both sides of the wheel and slide it onto the truck's axle. Tighten the truck's nut firmly with the skateboard tool, but not so tight that the wheel will not turn. Do the same for the remaining three wheels.

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