How to Make a Homemade Longboard Skateboard

Contributor

By Michael Cantrell
eHow Contributing Writer

Article Rating: (2 Ratings)

Make a Homemade Longboard Skateboard

Crafting a custom longboard skateboard is a great project for any skateboarding enthusiast. Building your own model allows you to create a completely unique design. You'll be able to customize all the details--from the paint down to the size of the wheels you use. Of course the best part of building your own longboard is taking it for a cruise on your local bike path!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Plywood
Trucks
Wheels
Bearings
Saw
Sandpaper
Paint and paintbrushes
Polyurethane sealer
Chairs
Weights
Wood glue
Grip tape
Screws and screwdriver

Step 1

Decide how long you want your longboard to be. The ideal length for a longboard is between 46 and 48 inches.
Step 2

Draw the outline and shape you want your longboard to have on a piece of cardboard. Use a pair of scissors to cut out the pattern you just made.
Step 3

Trace the pattern for your longboard on a piece of plywood. Drill holes along the outside edges of the design.
Step 4

Use two chairs to help put a curve in the longboard wood. Put the chairs in the middle of the longboard with the ends unsupported. Place the drilled piece of plywood on top of this piece and carefully add small amounts of weight to the wood until you get a curve you are comfortable with.
Step 5

Remove the drilled piece and then spread a thick layer of wood glue all over the other plywood piece. Put the drilled plywood piece back on top of the piece you just glued and then place your weights back on it to once again help with the curve of the board.
Step 6

Starting at the nose end of the longboard go all along the edges of the board with screws. You want the screws to go into both boards, but not all the way through the second board.
Step 7

Allow the glue to dry for about two days. Once the board is dry take out all the screws and then use a saw to cut along the pattern on the wood boards.
Step 8

Take some 400-grit sandpaper and sand both sides of the longboard until smooth. Wipe away the sawdust and apply a thin coat of wood varnish to the board. Give it 24 hours to dry. Then apply a coat of polyurethane sealer to the board and let it dry for a day as well.
Step 9

Mark the areas where you plan on putting the trucks (the axles where the wheels go that allow the board to turn). Use your drill to make four holes for your trucks at both the nose end and tail end of the board.
Step 10

Apply the grip tape to the longboard. Screw on the trucks nice and tight. Pop the bearings in the wheels and use a skate tool to tighten the wheels on the trucks. Sector 9 longboard wheels are a great choice because they are big, fast and soft, which will allow you to pass over rocks without your wheels locking up. Check out Independent Trucks Company for some great trucks.

How to Make a Homemade Longboard Skateboard

Things You'll Need:

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