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Build your own skate longboard

SAFETY FIRST: Ask an adult to help with tools you haven't used before.

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Editor’s Note: Spend some time with Pop and create something cool. “Handy Dad” by Todd Davis outlines 25 projects for fathers and sons to tackle together. (Chronicle Books, $24.95 softcover. All ages.) Click here to purchase.

Here’s an excerpt from the book’s Skate Longboard project. Read a preview below and click the bottom link for a PDF of the entire craft!

From pages 74 and 75 of “Handy Dad”:

Have you ever noticed how many roads there are in your neck of the woods? Everywhere you look, there are smooth, sloping asphalt waves—I mean, slopes—just waiting to be carved up. Get into a crouch or put your toes on the nose. Feel the flow as you—I mean, your kids—carve back and forth across the blacktop with the sun on their faces and the wind in their hair. Actually, let’s not kid ourselves. I have a feeling you’re going be “borrowing” this board to relive those early glory days of skateboarding yourself.

Materials:

  • 4-foot 1×7 Brazilian Ipe wood (This sounds like an odd size but it’s actually a factory-cut measurement. Look for Ipe wood at your local specialty lumberyard.)
  • 2 super-wide 10-inch skateboard trucks (I like Independent-brand trucks, myself.)
  • One set of super-soft street wheels (Yup, they come 4 to a set.)
  • Eight bearings built for speed
  • 4 feet clear grip tape, 10 inches wide

Fasteners:

  • 1 1/2-inch skateboard mounting hardware, for bolting the trucks to the deck

Tools:

  • Measuring tape
  • 4-foot level or straightedge
  • Pencil
  • Carpenter’s square
  • Felt-tip pen
  • Drill with 3/16-inch and 1/4 -inch bits
  • Band saw or jigsaw with wood blade
  • Electric sander with a few sheets of 60-grit sand paper
  • Screwdriver
  • Utility knife or pocketknife
  • Socket wrench with 1/2-inch, 3/8-inch and 9/16-inch sockets

Click here for a PDF of the rest of the project!


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26 Comments on Build your own skate longboard

  1. So fun during the summer.

  2. i really like this idea i made one and it works great

  3. trucks are too spendy

  4. i heart longboards

  5. I like my longboard but my mom would not let me even though I know how to ride it.I learn how to ride it at my friend’s house.

  6. I wish i could long board. It looks so fun and fast and everything, but i just cant do. I do however, LOVE to ripstik.

  7. starwars2374 // April 25, 2012 at 3:21 pm // Reply

    i love skateboarding

  8. I like longboarding but there like a millon bucks. so i just made one.

  9. i,ll get you // February 13, 2012 at 8:50 am // Reply

    i always wanted a longboard but my mom in dad did not hav enouch money graices sincerly, michael 2012

  10. This is a great idea! I really like longboards, but building one is a lot cooler.

  11. ninja theves // November 22, 2011 at 6:34 pm // Reply

    i alwas wanted a long board so i really hope i can do this

    “(0.0)”
    R A W R

  12. Chessmaster 11 // October 27, 2011 at 8:53 pm // Reply

    If you cut 2 groves in the bottom of the board and then use some very strong wood glue put 2 peices of wood that are the length of the board in the groves this will make your board way stronger and will last you a long time.

  13. i have got that book. its awesome!
    i just don’t know were to get those super wide trucks

    • you're mainstream // October 30, 2012 at 5:36 pm // Reply

      Bustin is a really cool brand, so is jati. My personal fav is a jati jiro with 46 degree gunmetal trucks, zelous berrings, and venom 72 mm 80a cannabales

  14. REDLINE BIKER BMX // July 16, 2011 at 9:41 pm // Reply

    My friend bought an awesome longboard. The one you build just might break.

    • I'mAJenious // July 18, 2012 at 10:17 am // Reply

      Yes my nickname is a joke. Also I made mine out of metal…it’s a little heavy but it is insanely strong pulse you can bend it to any shape you want you can cut pieces out and all kinda of stuff

  15. i use a real board not a long board i hate long boards

  16. I can’t wait till I make one of these.
    It ma be cool.

  17. i just bought a longboard

  18. lizardman // May 19, 2011 at 5:43 am // Reply

    Brings back memories. Mine was about 41/2 feet. I used my brothers short board for the pattern and ripped off, I mean used, the trucks and wheels from my sisters short board. It was a rush. Great Memeories. Thanks

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