How to Build Your Own Skateboard: Parts, Sizing, and Assembly

Building a skateboard from scratch is more straightforward than it looks. Once you know how the parts fit together, and why sizing matters, the rest clicks into place quickly.

This guide covers everything you need, how to match the parts up correctly, and how to assemble the finished board.

If you want the parts selection made easy, the Custom Skateboard Builder Kits on Skatewarehouse bundle everything in one place. Or you can pick each part individually. Every component is available separately.

What you need to build a skateboard from scratch

A complete skateboard has six core components:

• Deck the board itself
• Trucks the metal axles that attach to the deck and hold the wheels
• Wheels four wheels, available in varying hardness and size
• Bearings two per wheel, eight in total, letting the wheels spin freely
• Grip tape the sandpaper-like surface applied to the top of the deck
• Bolts and nuts eight bolts and eight nuts to attach the trucks to the deck

You may also want riser pads depending on your wheel size, and a skate tool to put everything together. A skate tool is a single T-shaped tool that handles every bolt on the board.

Step 1: Choose your deck, width matters most

Deck width is the most important measurement. It affects how the board feels underfoot, how easy tricks are, and what size trucks you need.

As a general guide:

Wider decks feel more stable but are heavier and harder to flip. Narrower decks are lighter and more responsive for technical tricks. If you are not sure where to start, 8.0 inch is a solid all-round choice for most adult riders.

Browse skateboard decks with graphics, or go for blank skateboard decks if you want to keep costs down or paint your own design. Blank decks use the same maple construction as graphics decks. You are just not paying for the printing.

Step 2: Match your trucks to your deck width

Truck width needs to match your deck. Trucks that are too narrow or too wide make the board feel unbalanced and awkward to steer.

Different truck brands use slightly different numbering systems, so use the 'For Deck Size' filter on the skateboard trucks page rather than relying on the number alone. The truck sizing guide covers this in more detail if you need it.

Step 3: Pick your wheels, hard for tricks, soft for rough ground

Skateboard wheels are rated by hardness (durometer) and measured by diameter in millimetres.

• Hard wheels (99a-101a): Best for smooth surfaces, skateparks, and street tricks. Fast and responsive.
• Soft wheels (78a-87a): Better for cruising, rougher tarmac, and commuting. They absorb vibration and roll over cracks more easily.
• Size: Smaller wheels (50-54mm) suit technical street skating. Larger wheels (55mm+) are better for rolling over uneven ground.

Browse skateboard wheels filtered by hardness and size.

Step 4: Bearings, bolts, risers, and grip tape

Bearings: You need eight, two per wheel. Standard skate bearings are 608 size and fit any standard skateboard wheel. Skateboard bearings are sold in packs of eight.

Grip tape: Applied to the top of the deck before you fit anything else. One sheet covers a standard deck. Grip tape comes in black or various colours and patterns.

Bolts: You need eight bolts and eight nuts. The right bolt length depends on whether you are running riser pads:

This is easy to get wrong. Bolts that are too short will not tighten properly. Bolts that are too long will poke up through the grip tape. Skateboard bolts and nuts are available in all standard lengths.

Riser pads: These sit between the truck baseplate and the deck, raising the board slightly. They are mainly used to prevent wheel bite, where the wheel clips the deck on sharp turns, when running larger wheels. For standard 52-54mm wheels, you probably do not need them. Running 56mm or larger, a thin riser helps. Browse riser pads to see what is available.

If you want to grab bolts, nuts, and hardware all at once, skateboard hardware kits bundle the essentials together.

How to assemble a skateboard, in the right order

1. Apply grip tape to the top of the deck first, before fitting anything else.
2. Push the bolts through the truck holes in the deck (four per truck, from the top).
3. Place the baseplate of each truck over the bolts on the underside and thread on the nuts.
4. Press bearings into the wheels, one bearing on each side of each wheel.
5. Slide the wheels onto the truck axles and secure with axle nuts.
6. Check everything is tight, but not over-tightened. Wheels should spin freely.

The how to assemble a skateboard guide covers each step in more detail. For the grip tape side of things, how to apply grip tape walks through that specifically.

The only tool you need is a skate tool. It handles the kingpin nut, axle nuts, and truck bolts in one. Most skateboard hardware kits include one.

Should you build your own setup or buy a complete?

Buying a complete skateboard is quicker and usually cheaper for a first board. The parts are already matched and sized, grip tape is applied, and it is ready to ride straight away.

Building your own makes more sense when you have a clear preference for specific parts, a particular deck width, softer wheels, a specific truck brand, or when you are replacing worn parts on an existing board without starting from scratch.

If you are a complete beginner with no strong preference yet, a complete skateboard is the easier starting point. If you want to choose every component yourself, Custom Skateboard Builder Kits simplify the process by letting you pick parts from a curated range without worrying about compatibility.

Ready to build?

Every part in this guide is available on Skatewarehouse: decks, trucks, wheels, bearings, grip tape, bolts, and risers. You can put a full custom setup together from one place and be confident the sizing is right.

If you have questions about sizing or compatibility, call the shop on 01837 55778 or email info@skatewarehouse.co.uk.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to build a skateboard from scratch?

Building a custom setup part by part usually costs more than buying a complete, because complete boards are sold as a package deal. You get exactly what you want, but individual parts do add up. A custom skateboard builder kit can help by bundling the key components together.

What size deck should I get for my first custom setup?

For most adult beginners, 8.0 inch is a reliable starting point. It suits a wide range of riding styles and foot sizes. If you are building for a younger or smaller rider, 7.75 inch is a better fit. Go narrower for technical trick skating, wider for park and transition.

Do I need riser pads?

Not always. Riser pads are mainly useful if you are running larger wheels (56mm or above) and want to prevent wheel bite on sharp turns. For standard 52-54mm wheels, most riders skip them. If you do add risers, increase your bolt length to match.

What length bolts do I need?

No riser: 7/8 inch or 1 inch. With a 1/8 inch riser: 1 inch. With a 1/4 inch riser: 1.25 inch. With a 1/2 inch riser: 1.5 inch. Getting this wrong is a common mistake. Bolts that are too short will not tighten down properly.

Can a beginner build their own skateboard?

Yes. There is nothing technically difficult about assembly. That said, a complete skateboard is usually the better starting point for a beginner. The parts are already matched and it costs less overall. Building your own is more worthwhile once you know what you want from a setup.

What is a blank deck and is it worth buying one?

A blank deck is a plain maple deck with no graphic. The construction is the same as a branded graphics deck. The difference is purely cosmetic. Blank decks cost less, which makes them a practical choice if you want to paint or sticker your own design, or simply save money without compromising on the wood.