08:40
Faizan
If you have some free time and feel comfortable working with a power saw, you can build your own longboard skateboard. You can glue, bend, cut, sand and finish the board in a single weekend. Gather up the materials you’ll need, which include two 48 by 8-inch lengths of ¼-inch Baltic birch plywood, wood glue, paintbrush, a pair of clamps, a pair of bricks, a box of heavy books, a jig or band saw, sandpaper, a power drill, eight threaded machine screws, polyurethane varnish and a pencil. Baltic birch plywood will provide you with a flexible board, but it's only available at lumbar yards and specialty wood stores. If necessary, you can use bamboo or Canadian maple veneer. To ride your finished board, you’ll also need a pair of trucks with wheels.
Glue the Board
Gluing two thinner boards of plywood together rather than buying a single thicker one allows for the board to flex and bend without snapping or cracking while you’re riding. Squeeze a liberal amount of the wood glue on one side of one of the plywood boards and use a paintbrush to spread the glue out in an even layer. Glue the two plywood boards together, using the clamps to firmly hold the boards in place.
Add Bend to the Board
A longboard isn’t completely flat, but you can add a slight bend to the board with the help of a a pair of bricks and a box of heavy books. Soon after gluing, not more than 30 minutes, suspend the board by placing two bricks underneath each end and then set a box of heavy books atop the middle of the board. By doing so, you will create a slight u-shape. Let the board set undisturbed for 24 hours until the glue dries.
Cut and Sand the Board
To shape the board, you’ll need to cut it into the shape of a longboard. Use a pencil to draw the outline of your longboard onto the plywood board. For a more perfect and uniform board, it’s best to use an existing longboard as a stencil. If you don’t have access to an existing longboard, you can either draw the outline of the board by hand or use a computer software program to draw and then print out a stencil. If you decide to draw it by hand, first draw the design onto a large piece of paper and then trace that original drawing onto the wood. Sketch out just one half of the board and then flip that sketch over to transfer to the other side which will result in a more uniform board. Keep in mind that your board needs to leave room for the wheels to spin freely, so add four clearance arcs to your sketch. Use a jig saw or band saw to cut out the rough shape of your board. Smooth out the edges with sandpaper.
Finish the Board
To improve the longevity of your board, apply a layer of polyurethane varnish to all sides and edges. Allow the board to dry for 24 hours. If you’d like to add a design to the board, you can use spray paint and stencils or markers to create your board’s own style. If you prefer grip tape, you can buy a chunk from your local skateboard shop and apply it to the top of your board for better grip. Apply the grip tape and use scissors to cut off any excess.
Install Trucks
The trucks, which are the units which hold the wheels, are applied to the bottom of a longboard via screws. Position the pair of trucks on the board where you want them and use the pencil to mark where the four holes for each truck need to go. Use a power drill to drill a small pilot hole in the location of each of the eight holes. Drill the threaded machine screws into the board and firmly secure the trucks to the board with a nut.
Glue the Board
Gluing two thinner boards of plywood together rather than buying a single thicker one allows for the board to flex and bend without snapping or cracking while you’re riding. Squeeze a liberal amount of the wood glue on one side of one of the plywood boards and use a paintbrush to spread the glue out in an even layer. Glue the two plywood boards together, using the clamps to firmly hold the boards in place.
Add Bend to the Board
A longboard isn’t completely flat, but you can add a slight bend to the board with the help of a a pair of bricks and a box of heavy books. Soon after gluing, not more than 30 minutes, suspend the board by placing two bricks underneath each end and then set a box of heavy books atop the middle of the board. By doing so, you will create a slight u-shape. Let the board set undisturbed for 24 hours until the glue dries.
Cut and Sand the Board
To shape the board, you’ll need to cut it into the shape of a longboard. Use a pencil to draw the outline of your longboard onto the plywood board. For a more perfect and uniform board, it’s best to use an existing longboard as a stencil. If you don’t have access to an existing longboard, you can either draw the outline of the board by hand or use a computer software program to draw and then print out a stencil. If you decide to draw it by hand, first draw the design onto a large piece of paper and then trace that original drawing onto the wood. Sketch out just one half of the board and then flip that sketch over to transfer to the other side which will result in a more uniform board. Keep in mind that your board needs to leave room for the wheels to spin freely, so add four clearance arcs to your sketch. Use a jig saw or band saw to cut out the rough shape of your board. Smooth out the edges with sandpaper.
Finish the Board
To improve the longevity of your board, apply a layer of polyurethane varnish to all sides and edges. Allow the board to dry for 24 hours. If you’d like to add a design to the board, you can use spray paint and stencils or markers to create your board’s own style. If you prefer grip tape, you can buy a chunk from your local skateboard shop and apply it to the top of your board for better grip. Apply the grip tape and use scissors to cut off any excess.
Install Trucks
The trucks, which are the units which hold the wheels, are applied to the bottom of a longboard via screws. Position the pair of trucks on the board where you want them and use the pencil to mark where the four holes for each truck need to go. Use a power drill to drill a small pilot hole in the location of each of the eight holes. Drill the threaded machine screws into the board and firmly secure the trucks to the board with a nut.
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