How to Make a Termite Bomb

If you're looking to get some bugs out of your woodwork, you've come to the wrong place. A Termite Bomb is not something your exterminator might have in his closet, but your teenager might. It is a type of skateboard, and a very cool one at that. While you can easily purchase a finished product for around $150, you may choose to make your own skateboard at a fraction of the cost.

Things You'll Need

• Maple veneer sheets Wheels and associated truck hardware Wood glue Drill Screwdriver Wrench Paint (optional) Stickers (optional)

Instructions

1. Glue together several sheets of maple veneer, bending and sanding them into the traditional skateboard shape. You may want to do this in several steps, gluing three sheets together at a time, waiting until the glue dries before adding more sheets to ensure a secure seal.

2. Personalize your Termite Bomb by painting, drawing or placing stickers of your own choosing on the surface. Laminate your artistic creation to give it a professional look. It is essential that you do this before attempting to create any screw-holes as outlined in Step 3, because if you accidentally obscure any of the screw-holes, you may have trouble properly attaching the wheels.

3. Drill four screw-holes on each end, to allow for the skateboard trucks to stay in alignment. Install the hardware into the deck by inserting eight screws into the holes you have created. Once you have inserted the screws, attach the trucks to the deck, making sure that the large bolt (or kingpin) is facing the center of the board. Use a screwdriver to tighten the screws.

4. Remove the nuts and the washers from the truck axle so that you can insert the bearings, metal-side down. Place a washer on the axle, then place a wheel, followed by another washer and secure everything in place with a nut, tightening with a wrench. Repeat four times, until all the wheels are in place.

5. Test the Termite Bomb skateboard to ensure that it supports your weight. Don't make the mistake of running out to your local half-pipe only to have your creation fall apart in front of your peers.

Tips & Warnings

• Using the skateboard of a friend as a reference point will help you visualize what the finished product should look like.

• You must make sure when tightening the nuts that they securely hold the wheels in place, yet still allow them the freedom to spin.