Read these 6 Skateboards Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Skate Board tips and hundreds of other topics.
First, you want to remove your old grip tape. It's pretty tricky and takes a bit of patience. You'll need to use a blow dryer to heat up your grip tape. The heat helps soften the grip tape adhesive. Work a corner of the grip tape up once it's been heated up enough. Keep applying heat to the top of the board with the blow dryer while pulling up the grip tape. Once the old grip tape is removed you can apply a sheet of new grip tape.
How To Build Complete Skateboard - STEP 2 | INSTALL THE BEARINGS
The next step in skateboard assembly involves pressing the bearings into the wheels. The easiest way to do this without a bearing press is to use your trucks to press the bearings into the wheels. Start by sliding a bearing onto the axle of one of your trucks. Next,
using leverage between your truck and your hand push the wheel onto the bearing. Remove the wheel with one bearing now inside and slide the second bearing onto the truck. If your bearings have spacers install the spacer at this time. The spacer is installed between both bearings in the center of the wheel. Again, using leverage between your truck and your hand push the second bearing into the other side of the wheel. Repeat this process for all four wheels.
How to Build a Skateboard -
STEP 1 ATTACHING GRIP TAPE
The first step in skateboard assembly is to apply grip tape to your new deck.
Deck width and length are determined by personal preference. It also is determined by the type of skating you plan to do. Wider decks (over 8” wide) are normally used for vert / ramp skating. Narrower decks (7.5” – 8.0”) tend to be used for street skating. However, there are pros, for example Andrew Reynolds, who use a wider deck for street skating. Andrew skates an 8.25” wide skateboard. Once again, it's all personal preference.
TRUCK INSTALLATION - STEP 3
Trucks come with either two or four washers per truck.
Washers are used to create a good seat between your
wheel bearings and axle nuts. Washers also reduce friction, which helps your wheels to spin faster. If your trucks come with two washers these washers should be installed between the axle nut and the wheel. If your trucks come with four washers the installation order is as follows:
Tighten all axle nuts with a 1/2 inch socket wrench. Skate tools are available at www.activemailorder.com. Tighten the axle nuts until the wheel is snug then back off about a 1/4 to 1/2 a turn until the wheel spins feely without any play from side to side.
Now it's time to attach your trucks. First, place your deck grip side down on your work area. Find the mounting holes and punch holes through the grip tape with one of the bolts from your mounting hardware. Once holes have been punched through your grip tape flip your deck over and push your mounting hardware through the holes.
If you use riser pads on your board install them sliding them onto your mounting hardware.
Now, slide your trucks onto your mounting hardware; be sure the bushings are facing each other. Install all the truck mounting nuts onto all the truck-mounting bolts and finger tighten them.
Finally, tighten the truck mounting hardware using a 10/32" wrench or nut driver and a Phillips screwdriver or Allen wrench.
Skate tools are available at: www.activemailorder.com
Your skateboard is now assembled.
Before you skate check your newly assembled deck for
anything you might have missed. Check the tightness of
the truck mounting hardware, the tightness the truck
axel nuts and the king pins. The king pins are the large nuts used to adjust the tightness of your truck turning ability. Remember everyone skates their trucks a little differently; the tightness of your king pins is personal preference.
Take a minute to admire your work. Now go skate!
Guru Spotlight |
PJ Campbell |