| How can you learn proper skateboard assembly? If | | | | where a vise could come in very handy. You need to |
| you are a skater, at some point or another you will | | | | hold the board so you can push the mounting bolts |
| need to know how to assemble your skateboard | | | | through the truck holes. There are four bolts per |
| either because you want to customize your | | | | truck, but you need to push one bolt through at a |
| skateboard or because you want to set your own | | | | time. Then slide the optional riser pads up and onto |
| specs for better skateboarding. | | | | the bolt ends. Do the same with the trucks. It is |
| Before you can begin the assembly of a skateboard | | | | essential that when performing this step you have |
| you need to have the proper tools. | | | | the truck bushings and the kingpins facing each other |
| These will include:o Screwdriver or allen wrencho | | | | towards the middle of the skateboard. Otherwise, |
| Safety knife with new bladeo Metal fileo 3/8", 9/16" | | | | when mounted they will turn in the opposite direction |
| nut driverso Square aircraft lock nuto Griptapeo | | | | from what they should be turning. Use the |
| Work area | | | | screwdriver or the allen wrench to secure and tighten |
| Optional tools:o Power drillo Vise | | | | down the locknuts. |
| You start proper skateboard assembly by placing the | | | | After finishing all four trucks it is time to mount the |
| griptape onto the deck. You can buy griptape in | | | | wheels. You have to be careful not to damage the |
| full-length sheets with different designs and colors. | | | | shields on the bearings when putting them in the |
| The gritty top of the paper helps your shoes grip the | | | | wheels. You may need to purchase a tool to help |
| board and prevents slipping. This step is very easy | | | | you in this area especially if you have the hard |
| because all you have to do is peel off the backing to | | | | wheels. You do this process by dropping a bearing |
| reveal the sticky underside and stick it to the top of | | | | onto the truck axle then a spacer and press into the |
| the board you are assembling. Make sure the griptape | | | | wheel making sure they go all the way. To reduce |
| is stuck well and that it covers all the edges. | | | | friction, mount the thin washer located on the axel |
| Now you are ready for the second step which is to | | | | onto the outside of the bearing. Next add the square |
| cut off the excess griptape. You will use the safety | | | | aircraft lock nut and tighten. You need this to be |
| knife to do this which is why you need to make sure | | | | snug while still allowing the wheel to roll. It can have a |
| you have a sharp blade. After trimming the paper to | | | | little play but should not be wobbly. |
| the size of the board, take the metal file and smooth | | | | Now you are ready to skate. It is always a good |
| out all the edges. | | | | idea to carry tools with you because as you ride |
| The truck mounting will be the next step. To begin | | | | things will begin to losses up. With a new board it will |
| this step you need to poke holes through the | | | | be necessary for you to make minor adjustments as |
| griptape where the truck holes are located. This is | | | | everything begin to settle in. |