Build a Board

Dateline: 07/19/00

So you've been skatin' around for a while and you're ready for a custom setup. You've obtained all the parts and you want to put them together.

Here's what you do:

First, make sure you have all the workings. You'll need a good skate tool for your wheels, axle, and kingpin. You'll also need some kind of box cutter for cutting your griptape. And of course you'll need the actual components of the board. These include the truck bolts, bearings, wheels, trucks, griptape and last but not least, the deck.

Start out by peeling the griptape from its backing. It'll be sticky on one side and sand paper-y on the other. Line the tape up sticky side down with the deck and make sure it's parallel so you don't stick it on crooked. A single strip of standard griptape should cover the length of the board with no problem. If you do it right you'll only need one piece, so try not to wrinkle it up. Also make sure to smooth out all the air-bubbles as the tape will tend to peel up if not properly attached.

After the tape is stuck to the board it will need to be cut down. A good way to achieve this is to begin by grinding the griptape against the edges of the board. You can use your skate tool or a screwdriver or whatever works. Just lay the edge flat and press against the circumference of the board so that a visible line becomes apparent. When this is done, take your cutter and remove the excess tape along the line. After that you can use the separated tape to smooth the edges. It is sandpaper after all so use it to its best advantage.

Next, poke through the holes on your board and pierce the tape through the bottom. Put the bolts through the holes and slip on the trucks, only make sure you have them going in the right direction. It'd be a pity trying to skate inside out like that. Neh? Pay attention and get the kingpins on the inside. Good.

Now, fasten the nuts and tighten everything down. Place the bearings on the axles and push on the wheels. Repeat, using the opposite sides so that each wheel uses two bearings. Once that is done put the axle nuts on and screw tightly. You'll want to make sure your wheels spin freely; you can't roll if they don't spin so check 'em.

Lastly, adjust the trucks to taste and take off.

It's just easy as pie.