How to Set Up a Skateboard

Got new parts? Put them all together.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Skate Rails
• Skateboard Decks
• Skateboard Helmets
• Skateboard Pads
• Skateboard Parts
• Skateboard Trucks
• Skateboard Wheels
• Skateboarding Shoes
• Skateboards
• Allen Wrenches
• Crescent Wrenches
• Metal Files
• Screwdriver Sets
• Socket Sets

1. Gather everything you will need in one area. It's best to do all this in a place where it's OK to get things dirty.
2. Get your skateboard and lay it graphics-side-down on a flat surface.
3. Peel the proper length of grip tape from its backing.
4. Line up the tape over the deck so that it will cover both ends of the board, as well as running all the way down the rails of the deck.
5. Apply one end of the tape to the board.
6. Roll the length of the tape down slowly, pressing it onto the board as you go to avoid any air bubbles. If any bubbles arise, you can pop them with a razor.
7. Set your file onto the tape at the board's edge. This will make an outline of the board where the tape is thinned by the file.
8. Puncture the tape with the razor and drag it along the thinned part of the tape, cutting the excess tape away from the board as you go.
9. Flip the board over and push the bolts through the bolt holes and the tape so you can see where to put the trucks on.
10. Have your trucks, wheels and bearings handy.
11. Remove the bolts from the ends of the trucks and put one bearing in place on the axle.
12. Put one wheel on top of the bearing and push down on it (or hit it with a screwdriver) until the bearing is as far into the wheel as you can get it.
13. Repeat this process for all the bearings and wheels.
14. Slide all the wheels in place on the axles of the trucks.
15. Put the bolts back on the axles and tighten them with your wrench until the bolts aren't turning very easily. Then loosen the bolts one-half turn so the wheels will spin.
16. Get the board, the nuts and bolts, the trucks with their wheels, your optional risers, and your mounting hardware tools. Pop the bolts through the holes in the top of the board, put your optional risers on the other side on top of the board, and place the trucks over the risers with the big kingpin bolt of the truck facing the middle of the board. If you get this backward, the board will turn wrong and you will be very frustrated.
17. Put the nuts on the end of the bolts and tighten them until the top of the bolts are flush with the top of the deck.

Tips & Warnings

• Skateboard parts you will need: skateboard deck, grip tape, trucks, risers (optional), bolts, nuts, wheels, and bearings.
• Tools you'll need: Phillips head screwdriver or Allen wrench (depending on type of bolts), crescent or 3/8-inch socket wrench for bolts, razor blade, and metal file.