How to Make a Hardwood Longboard Skateboard

Longboard skateboards offer a longer wooden foot area for more maneuverability.

Many skateboard enthusiasts enjoy creating their own skateboard. A personalized skateboard can be customized for optimal performance. In fact, various wood choices are available for constructing a longboard skateboard. Longboard enthusiasts prefer the extra length of the board because it gives them more flexibility for turns and tricks, as opposed to the smaller shortboard types. Hardwood is more expensive than other typical skateboard wood choices, such as plywood, but offers a durable and strong platform for the skater's feet.

Things You'll Need

• Hardwood
• Graphic design software
• Paper
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Band saw
• Power sander
• Sandpaper
• 2 trucks
• 4 skateboard wheels
• Wood sealant
• Paint
• Polyurethane
• Paintbrush
• Grip tape
• Dust mask

Instructions

1. Create a semicircle within a graphic design software application. Most graphic design applications offer generic shapes that you can customize and print. Typically, the skateboard's two ends will have a soft, elongated semicircle with a width of about 8 inches. Print the semicircle from the graphic design application on basic white paper. Alternatively, if you don't have access to a graphic design application, physically draw an 8-inch-wide semicircle on paper, using a pencil.

2. Cut out the template from the excess paper with scissors. Place the template onto one of the hardwood's ends. Trace the template onto the hardwood using a pencil. Use this same shape for both ends of the skateboard, positioning them about 48 inches from each other.

3. Cut the skateboard shape out of the hardwood using a band saw. Place the wood on the band saw's platform. Move the saw along the drawn lines to create the smoothed skateboard ends.

4. Cut out four small semicircle spaces, where the wheels will be located, with the band saw. This spacing allows clearance for the wheels so they do not scrape the hardwood during use.

5. Roughly sand the skateboard's edges with a power sander.

6. Finely sand the edges with sandpaper. Smooth out any sharp edges, allowing the hardwood's grain to emerge on the edges.

7. Add the two trucks to the skateboard, and attach the four wheels. Make sure that the assembly fits evenly under the clearance spaces.

8. Test the skateboard by riding it a short distance. Make sure that the board does not wobble from improperly positioned trucks. Adjust the truck’s positioning, if necessary.

9. Paint the skateboard, as desired, with a paintbrush. Strictly use a wood sealant coating if the hardwood appearance will be exposed to the elements, instead of painting the hardwood with a color.

10. Attach grip tape to the skateboard’s top surface. The grip tape secures your feet to the hardwood surface.

Tips & Warnings

• Only experienced users should operate the band saw. Serious or fatal injuries can occur from improper band saw use.

• Wear a dust mask during rough and fine sanding. Wood particles can irritate the respiratory system.

References

• "Make" Magazine; Simple Longboard; Mark Frauenfelder