CRESKATE: Craft Your Own Wooden Fingerboard
CRESKATE isn’t just another fingerboard company — it’s basically a full-on workshop in a box. Instead of selling pre-built setups or slapping logos on imported decks, they’re letting you do the dirty work yourself: pressing veneers, shaping wood, gluing layers, and walking away with something you actually built — like the woodworking class you wish you had.
We came across them on Instagram, where their builds looked suspiciously legit. Turns out, the guy behind it all has a background in mechanical engineering and a side obsession with 3D printing. Naturally, he used that energy to create DIY fingerboard kits that let anyone make mini wooden decks at home — and not just one, but a whole lineup of ‘em.
We hit him up to talk about building tiny skateboards from scratch, why people are turning soda cans into decks, and how the hell this all turned into a global community of micro-skate craftspeople.
Dennis, what inspired you to start CRESKATE and create DIY fingerboard kits?
My passion for skateboarding and fingerboarding started as a teenager. Back then, I was already making simple wooden board presses for my own setups. Years later, while studying mechanical engineering, I got into 3D printing as a hobby, which opened up a whole new world of possibilities. Just for fun, I designed high-quality fingerboard presses and started making boards for myself and my friends.
After sharing some pictures on Instagram, I was surprised by the huge interest in the building process and the presses. That’s when I realized there was real demand—and that’s how CRESKATE was born.
What’s included in a typical CRESKATE kit, and what makes it different from regular fingerboards?
All our kits come with a fingerboard press, a board shaper, and enough wood and glue to make at least three decks.
Our beginner set also includes trucks with bushings, wheels with bearings, and some sample graphics to get started. What makes our kits unique is that they allow you to create real wooden decks from single veneer sheets.
The building process is just like making a full-size skateboard, helping you develop craftsmanship skills while gaining a deeper understanding of how skateboards and fingerboards are constructed.
What’s the best part about building your own fingerboard?
The best part is the feeling of accomplishment—knowing that you built a board from scratch with your own hands. It’s a perfect mix of creativity and craftsmanship, and the end result is a fully custom board that not only looks great but performs like a pro-level fingerboard that would normally cost over ¢$100.
Plus, with the tools and skills you gain from our kit, you can keep building new boards as often as you like—even one every day if you’re up for it!
Your community is growing really fast. How does it feel to see people from all over the world building their own boards with your kits?
It’s absolutely mind-blowing! Sometimes I can’t believe the amazing boards I see online that were built using our kits.
Another awesome thing is that some of our customers have used the skills they learned with our kits to start their own fingerboard brands.
CRESKATE is even being used in some schools now, where students build boards in woodworking classes and design them in art class. It’s a great way to introduce kids to skateboarding culture while letting them create something that won’t just sit in a drawer—it actually gets used and enjoyed.
What’s the coolest or most creative custom board you’ve seen made using your kit?
That’s a tough one because there are so many! We already offer a lot of customization options, like colored veneers and exotic woods, plus different shapers for old-school or cruiser decks.
But the most mind-blowing builds I’ve seen were boards pressed from old vinyl records, soda cans, and even real dollar bills. The creativity in this community is just next level!
What should someone know before trying a DIY kit, especially if they’ve never done fingerboarding before?
You’ll need a little bit of patience and some basic DIY skills, but our kits are designed so that even beginners can build a great board with the help of our step-by-step guides and video tutorials.
We also offer starter bundles that include a mini saw, hand drill, and sanding materials, so you have everything you need right out of the box.
And once your board is finished, you can start learning tricks with our 10-part online tutorial, which covers everything from Ollies and Kickflips to Grinds!
What’s your favorite trick to do on a fingerboard?
Definitely the 360 flip!
What’s next for CRESKATE? Are there any new projects or ideas you’re working on?
CRESKATE has grown into much more than just a DIY kit. We now offer concrete ramp molds, a modular skate rail that fits in your pocket, and an online 3D configurator that lets you design your own fingerboard shape, length, and concave.
But our biggest goal right now is to get our DIY kits into more shops—especially skate shops—so more people can experience the fun of building their own decks.
Wanna build your own deck from scratch? Hit up createyourskate.com and get weird with it.
