HEYDAY
SKATEBOARDING

To anyone new to skateboarding putting together a skateboard can be quite the task. There is always a tendency to think that you are supposed to cut the griptape to the shape of the board, then stick it on. There is also the mystery of putting your bearings in the wheels. Don’t worry, because after you are done reading this you’ll be assembling skateboards in no time.

Before starting you want to make sure you have everything you need. A complete skateboard should include:

• A deck
• A pair of trucks
• A set of 4 wheels
• 8 bearings
• A sheet of griptape
• A set of hardware (8 bolts, 8 nuts)
• Bearing spacers (optional)
• Riser Pads (optional)

If you are not sure what all of those things are, check out skateboard anatomy.

Next you need to get the right tools for the job. You will need:

• A utility knife
• A Phillips screwdriver or Allen key (depends on your hardware type)
• A skate tool / OR / a socket wrench set / OR / an adjustable wrench
• A file (optional)

Step One: The Griptape

Your best bet is to start working on a clean, level surface. Try not to use the best table in the house, unless no one is going to care. It’s probably better to work on something fairly high off the ground, seeing as I always work on the floor and cause myself unneeded back pain.

Take your sheet of Britney Spears stickers and apply them liberally to your board. This can be done after you have already put the grip on, but I prefer to do it first. I only used two this time, but that is because I’m running low on them. If you have a lot, use a lot. It makes you grind better.

Place your deck right side up on the table, and grab your griptape. Peel back some of the griptape, make sure the sheet is lined up well with the rest of the board, and then stick the exposed side onto the nose of the board. Once it is on, it’s not easy to take off, so make sure you have everything lined up nicely.

Firmly press the griptape onto the board making sure there are no air pockets. Next, begin peeling the rest of the griptape back, a few inches at a time, while stopping to press the griptape down onto the board. If you have any air pockets, try pushing them out with your hands, or rolling your wheels over them. They will eventually come out when riding, but you can probably get some out now. If there are no air pockets, go apply for a job at a skate shop immediately.

Next, run the side of the screwdriver around the edge of the board. This should produce a white outiline of the deck where the grip has rubbed off. Now you have a guide to follow while cutting the griptape, and your grip has been firmly secured on the edge of the deck to help prevent peeling.

Take the utility knife and stick it underneath the board. Pierce through the griptape on one side of the deck so that it is on the white line. Begin cutting around the deck. The edge of the board will guide you, but don’t press so hard that you cut into the side of the deck. I recommended that you do not use a dull knife, and that you cut outward, so if you slip, you won’t cut yourself.

Once you are done, take off the excess pieces but keep some larger ones. Chances are you didn’t cut the griptape perfectly. If there are big chunks still sticking out, you can use the knife to cut them off, or use the file to file them off. Don’t file too hard though, or you will file into the deck.

For the final touch, grab a piece of the extra griptape, stick it on your hand, and rub around the edge of the deck. This will work sort of like the file, and fix up any little left over spots. Watch out though, there is a lot of friction involved, and your hand will get hot. Press down all the grip one final time to make sure it is on everywhere. Now your deck has griptape.

Step Two: Putting On The Trucks

This step is straight forward, but I’ll humor you and do it anyway.

Start by using the allen key or anything small enough to fit in the holes in the deck, other then the bolts, and poke it up through the bottom of the deck. This makes it 100 times easier to see where to put the bolts in, otherwise you might spend ten minutes trying to find the holes through the griptape.

Now that it is easy to see where they go in, take four bolts and stick them through the holes in the griptape. Take one truck and place it on the bolts. Take a look at one of the later pictures to make sure it’s facing the right direction, because it you put it on backwards you will have a severely messed up ride. If you are going to use riser pads, stick one on the bolts and then put the truck on top of it.

Put the nuts on the bolts and tighten them a bit with your fingers, then use a wrench and a screwdriver or allen key to tighten them completely. If you have a socket set instead of a wrench, I highly recommend using that. Complete the previous couple steps for the other truck.

Step Three: Wheels & Bearings

First you need to put the bearings in the wheels. Place your board on one side so it is resting on it’s edge and on it’s axles. Place one bearing on the axle. Now put the wheel on the axle. Using your palms, push the wheel down until the bearing pops into place. Depending on the hardness of wheel, you will have to push more or less.

Take the wheel off the axle. Place one of the rings (they were either on your trucks, or came with your bearings) on the axle. On top of that place a bearing, then a spacer, and then the wheel that has a bearing in the other side. Push down like you did to put in the other bearing, and you are done with the bearings for that wheel.

Place the other ring on top of the wheel, and screw the nut onto the axle. Tighten it with a wrench. I usually tighten my wheels all the way, and then loosen them a couple turns. Your wheels should be on tight enough that they don’t jiggle around, but still turn if you spin them with your hand. Repeat the process with the other three wheels.

Step Four: Final Adjustments

Now that everything in on the board, it’s time to test it out. Put it on the ground and try leaning from side to side. If your trucks feel too tight or too loose grab your wrench and adjust them by turning the nut on the kingpin (if you have Grind Kings, you’ll need to use an Allen key to tighten them).

You are now all set to ride. You should bring along your wrench and screwdriver for the first session. After riding for about half an hour, it is common for your bearings and bolts to settle causing everything to become loose, so you’ll want to have your tools with you to tighten everything back up.