Tips for Building Your Very Own Skateboard

As seen in numerous interviews and in classic skateboarding videos, many people who skate are expressive, quirky individuals who enjoy showcasing their personalities through the way they skate. In the same way fashionable items enable some people to feel their best and highlight their personalities even further, a skater’s skateboard is a key part of their overall look.

In fact, without a skateboard, they can truly call their own, and a passionate skater almost feels naked. It’s essentially a chance to exhibit their style further through the skateboard of their choice, making finding the right board a huge challenge for many skaters. There are so many designs out there, while there are trusted brands many skaters rely on. Some skaters also prefer to build their very own decks. A custom skateboard isn’t always easy to pull off, though, but it’s certainly worth it once you manage to create the board of your dreams.

There are some other notable benefits when the skateboard you had in mind becomes a reality. For example, given that you’ll be involved in almost every stage of the build, you can ensure that every element is suited to you and your needs. Likewise, you can add a variety of additional features if you fancy them, while you can also play around with designs that probably wouldn’t be on offer anywhere in the shops. Ultimately, as creative skateboarders are doing today, it’s the perfect way to show who you are through your very own design.

Building your own skateboard isn’t always straightforward, though. So, in order to help you get the process started, below are some tips to keep in mind when it comes to building your skateboard.

Stock up on materials and tools

First and foremost, before you embark on any building process, you need to make sure you have the right materials and tools at your disposal. Additionally, given the constant need to enhance and repair skateboards, it’s wise to have a good collection of materials and tools anyway for when things inevitably go wrong after a day of grinding. For starters, you’ll need grip tape. Likewise, a skateboard hardware kit with nuts and bolts is essential. You’ll also need a razor blade or a crafting knife, a skate tool, a skateboard deck, 2 trucks, 4 wheels, 4 bearing spacers, and 8 bearings. They’re the essentials. Of course, you might also be keen on incorporating other tools and materials, but the options mentioned are a good place to start.

Always keep your budget in mind 

Once you’ve stocked up on materials and tools and you’re ready to start the building process, your creative juices can begin to flow further and you’ll undoubtedly have waves of ideas come into your head. While it can be incredibly easy to get carried away and assess some innovative ideas to make your board look even more special than the rest, always aim to keep things simple and in budget. Sure, if money is no object then you can play around with a variety of ideas, but most people tend to set a budget and stick to it in order to avoid any financial headaches. Also, there can be a tendency for skaters to find that their eyes are bigger than their wallets, making it highly important to decide on a budget to stop them from spending too much on their build. Whether you’re creating a low-end board or a premium creation, always keep your budget firmly in mind.

Plan your design 

When it comes to planning your design, there are so many avenues you can go down here. For example, many people opt for movie-themed designs of their favorite films. Likewise, soccer fans around the world adore their clubs, perhaps by watching every match, purchasing merchandise, and indulging in some Premier League football betting. As such, many soccer-loving skaters also aim to incorporate their favorite clubs into their skateboard designs, be it Manchester United’s logo or Arsenal’s mascot. Likewise, some skaters go for a cartoon-inspired design, designs based on their favorite places in the world, a comical creation, a brand they adore, and so much more. Ultimately, this is the part where you can really express yourself depending on the theme you prefer, with tools like stencils and tape coming in handy as you aim to bring your spray paint-based idea to life. YouTube is also a great resource here, particularly as there are hundreds of videos of fellow skaters showing exactly how they created their designs.

Consider where you’re skating 

Another thing to keep in mind when undertaking your build is to decide exactly where you’ll be skating and the type of terrain you’re likely to use your newly-made skateboard on. In fact, this is a crucial aspect of any skateboard build, particularly as different terrains require a different type of board. For instance, if your preference is street skating, then you’ll ideally need a narrower board with hard wheels. However, if riding bowls is right up your street, then a board with a broader base is probably for the best.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help 

Of course, it can be tough to nail the build you had in mind. You might try numerous tweaks and waste hours watching content on YouTube but still struggle to master certain aspects of the building process. It’s a common occurrence. Should you find yourself struggling at any moment, then don’t be afraid to reach out to a friend or an expert for some additional advice. After all, it’s crucial that the board of your dreams is well-suited to you and your skating needs, making it vitally important to lean on someone with more experience should you ever require it. A skate shop pro, for example, could easily assist you and perhaps make some useful suggestions moving forward. Simply put, always remain open to outside help.