How to Make a Tech Deck Skateboard

Tech Deck skateboards are fancy fingerboards you can use to perform skateboarding tricks with your hands. If you've ever purchased a Tech Deck, you know that they aren't particularly cheap. If you'd like to practice the tricks but you can't afford to buy the official board, or you just forgot your Tech Deck and want to make one you can use temporarily, all you need for the board is a piece of notebook paper and some sturdy tape.

Things You'll Need

• 8½-by-11-inch sheet of notebook paper
• Duct tape or package tape
• Pencil
• Ruler

Instructions

1. Set your paper on the table just like you would if you were going to write on it, with one of the 8½-inch sides closest to you. Fold the top edge toward you so it meets the bottom one exactly and crease the paper. Then fold it widthwise so the left and right edges meet. Fold it lengthwise again. You'll be left with a small rectangle.

2. Rotate your paper 90 degrees without lifting it off the table. Measure one of the shorter ends with your ruler and mark off every inch. The end should be 3 inches wide, so you will end up with two pencil marks. Fold the paper exactly in thirds by folding the right edge and the left edge inward at these 1-inch marks. Flip the paper over so the edges you just used are hidden. Keep the paper in the same orientation.

3. Measure ½ inch from the top edge and the bottom edge and mark the paper at these points on its underside. Make sure each mark is equidistant between the two longer edges. Then fold in each corner to meet the pencil mark closest to it. This will make four triangles that will serve as wheels. If you plan on attaching actual wheels, skip this step and check out the Tips section.

4. Pick up your paper and put your thumb in the center of it. Curve the ends around your thumb so that your board curves slightly. This will allow you to kick it and flip it. Don't curve it so much that the triangles end up off the ground when you set it down. You just want it slightly concave.

5. Wrap the middle of your board in tape so it stays together and it is more durable. Use only duct tape or package tape so it stays smooth and glides well. Wrap sparingly. Don't use more tape than necessary or your board could end up too thick to curve.

Tips & Warnings

• To attach real wheels to your board, take one set of wheels from a Tech Deck replacement parts kit and tape the axle to the bottom of your board about ¼ inch from one end. Repeat the process for the opposite end with a second set of wheels. Make your board look more like a real Tech Deck by gluing black sandpaper to the top of it.