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How to Build Skateboards

Put your skateboard together properly to get the best performance out of each piece of equipment. A fully assembled skateboard consists of grip tape, trucks, wheels and their bearings. Not putting each component of your skateboard together correctly can hinder your ability to perform tricks with proficiency and consistency. Assembling your skateboard is something each skater should be able to do, so that adjustments and replacements can be made without having to take it into a skateboard shop.

Things You'll Need

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

Instructions

- 1
  Attach the grip tape to the deck. Place the edge of the grip tape onto the end of the board, then press it down with your hand as you unroll the tape down the length of the board.
  
  Cut around the circumference of the skateboard deck with a box cutter to remove any unused grip tape.
- 2
  Attach the trucks to the skateboard deck. Push through the grip tape covering the screw holes to allow for room for the screws, then insert the eight bolts into them. Slide the trucks over the screws with the axles facing opposite each other, then place each of the eight nuts onto the screws. Tighten the nuts by inserting the Phillips head screwdriver into each bolt, then turning the adjustable wrench to the right.
- 3
  Place a wheel bearing onto the truck's axle, metal side down, then press the wheel onto it, until it pops into place. Repeat for each of the eight bearings, then remove the wheels from the trucks. Each wheel will have two bearings, one on each side.
- 4
  Attach the wheels. Place a washer onto the truck's axle, slide the wheel onto it, and then place another washer onto the axle. Tighten the truck's nut with the adjustable wrench. Repeat for all four wheels.

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