What you need to build your own skateboard
- Grip tape.
- 1 Razorblade or crafting knife.
- 1 Skateboard hardware kit (8 nuts and bolts)
- 1 Skate Tool.
- 1 Skateboard deck.
- 2 Trucks (includes required hardware)
- 4 Wheels.
- 4 Bearing spacers.
What materials do you need to make a skateboard deck?
Raw Materials
Most skateboard decks are made of glue and wood (usually maple), but some are made of composites, aluminum, nylon, Plexiglas, fiberglass, foam, and other artificial materials. They are usually decorated by screenprinting.
What material is best for skateboards?
Maple wood
Maple wood is an ideal wood type for skateboards; it is flexible, yet durable, allowing it to be easily shaped without sacrificing strength. It’s still the most common material used for skateboard decks.
How much does it cost to make a skateboard?
How much Does it Cost to Produce a Skateboard? The production costs of a complete skateboard depend on the quality of the material and where it’s manufactured. Roughly the entire manufacturing process cost between $30 to $35. After So that’s straight out of the factory but you’ll end up paying between $75 to $150.
Is it easy to build a skateboard?
Making a skateboard is, surprisingly enough, not as hard as most people think. Making the deck, or wooden board, only requires a basic knowledge of carpentry, a jigsaw, a skateboard mold, and a vacuum press, but even these can be made at home with a little patience.
How do I start a skateboard business?
Nine Steps to Begin Your Skateboard Business
- Step 1: Create a business plan.
- Step 2: Analyze your financial resources.
- Step 3: Select your company name.
- Step 4: Acquire business licenses.
- Step 5: Obtain business insurance.
- Step 6: Choose a location.
- Step 7: Purchase equipment and materials.
- Step 8: Recruit your squad.
Can you make money building skateboards?
Despite popular belief, yes, you can make money skateboarding. People tend to think that the only path to working in the skate industry is getting sponsored, but there’s actually a lot of options out there. Making money skateboarding doesn’t have to be limited to turning pro and winning a ton of money in Street League.
What wood is used for skateboards?
hard rock maple
The most desirable wood used to manufacture skateboard decks comes from the Great Lakes area of North America. The wood is commonly referred to as hard rock maple while it is actually called Sugar maple and its scientific name is Acer saccharum. Maple is a hardwood, which is slower growing and denser than softwoods.
What paint is best for skateboards?
acrylic paint
Yes, you can use acrylic paint to paint a skateboard. It is a great option as clean up is a lot easier when the paint is water soluble.
How do they put graphics on skateboards?
Heat transfer is the industry standard when it comes to printing custom skateboards. Basically, the heat transfer process involves screen or digitally printing ink on layers of thin plastic. The plastic layers are then adjusted on the board. Then, the layers are processed through the heated silicone roller machine.
What glue is used for skateboards?
Skateboarding Glue
Most manufacturers use a specialized wood glue known as Franklin Multibond Sk8 Glue for its superior adhesive abilities, waterproofness, and strength over time. Multibond Sk8 Glue holds your board together even if you leave it in the rain or take the board off a steep drop.
How thick should a skateboard be?
So, how thick is a skateboard? It’s more or less 0.5″, depending on various materials. Remember the numbers and material properties we discussed as well. It’ll help you decide on the best skateboard deck in the long run.
How many layers should a skateboard deck have?
Skateboard decks are typically made of seven or nine layers of birch or maple wood that are laminated together and shaped. The common board shapes are longboards, cruisers, shortboards, and old school boards—each board type is used for different kinds of skating.
How much does a pro skateboarder Make?
It is largely believed the average professional skateboarder makes US$1,000–$,3000 a month, with the mean somewhere around $30,000 a year. The top-tier skateboarders can make up to $10,000 a month, but these skaters make up less than 10 percent of professional skateboarders.
How long do skateboards last?
The average lifespan of a skateboard is 1 to 2 years. Some skateboarders were able to use their boards for as short as five months, but others could manage to use them for a couple of years.
Is there a weight limit for skateboards?
There’s no official skateboarding weight limit, but the quality of the board you buy will affect how much weight it can bear before it gives way. A well-made maple skateboard deck may hold around 220 lbs, but it is still likely to snap if you land incorrectly.
How many bearings does a skateboard need?
8 bearings
A skateboard requires a set of 8 bearings, 2 for each wheel. Almost every skateboard bearing is the same size and will fit on any skateboard wheel and truck. When choosing your bearings, it is important to think about your experience level and riding style.
Can you use plywood to make a skateboard?
There are many thicknesses, wood types and grades of plywood. The best plywood for making skateboards is 1/8″ Baltic or Russian Birch. Typically, Baltic Birch comes in 5′ x 5′ sheets in thicknesses from 1/8 to 3/4″.
What size skateboard bolts do I need?
Selecting the right bolt length is fairly simple. If you skate without shock or riser pads, you will only ever need 7/8” – 1” bolts. If you use standard shock pads, with a height of 1/8”, you’ll need 1” – 1 1/8” long bolts. The higher your shock pads, the longer your bolts need to be, of course.
How much does it cost to start a skateboard shop?
It can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000 to start a local skate shop, depending on the size and location of the shop. Some of the common startup costs include rent, security deposits, inventory and equipment.
How do I start a skate crew?
How to Start a Skate Team
- Talk to other skateboarders about starting a team.
- Work with the other team members to come up with a name and logo for your team.
- Practice as a team.
- Be on the lookout for new members.
- Go to as many competitions as possible.