Your step-by-step guide to assembling your dream skateboard!!!
Choosing the right deck is crucial as it determines the size, shape, and feel of your ride. Consider the width, length, and concave that best suits your skateboarding style and body size. The most common size decks are 8.25, 8.375, and 8.75. Go to your local skate shop and choose what size is most comfortable for you!
Carefully peel your griptape and apply it to the top of your board. Ensure it covers the entire surface evenly. Use a screw driver or any object that works to outline the griptape. Get a razor blade or a sharp object to trim off the excess tape and sand the edges for a smooth finish. You completed the second step!!
Insert the 8 truck bolts through the holes in the grip tape and deck. If you have directional bolts then normally you'd place the 2 coloured bolts in the 2 holes closest to the nose of your deck. This makes it easy to tell which way round your skateboard is when out riding. Attach your trucks and tighten up the nuts on the truck bolts. Don't use power tools to tighten the bolts as this can over tighten causing stress cracks which weaken the deck. Make sure your trucks are the right way round, the big kingpin nuts should be both facing each other towards the middle of the board. Get this wrong and your skateboard will turn in the wrong direction and will perform really badly!!
Install bearings into your wheels. Place a bearing on each side of the wheel, then push the wheel onto the truck's axle. Secure with axle nuts. Fit the wheels to the truck axles. Make sure you have a small Speed Ring Washer on each side of the wheel as this will keep the bearings spinning freely. Tighten the axle nuts gradually, constantly check the wheel spins freely but not able to move up and down the axle too much.
Give your skateboard a final inspection. Check all bolts and nuts are tight, and adjust the trucks to your preferred tightness. Now, your skateboard is ready to ride!!
