Category — Build a Skateboard

We’ve added some new information to the Warehouse Skateboards buying guide to make it easier to find the right skateboard for skaters 12 and under. Here are some helpful hints to keep in mind when building a kids skateboard.

Deck size will determine the size of all of the other skateboard components. Use this chart to make sure you get it right (click to enlarge):

• The total width of your truck should match your skateboard deck width.
• All skateboard bearings are the same size, so it’ s not necessary to search for smaller bearings for kids’ skateboards.
• Small decks and wheels do not require risers pads, but adding shock pads can reduce the occurrence of wheel bite.
• Standard 1-inch hardware works with most deck sizes, even smaller kids’ skateboard decks.

For more detailed information on building complete skateboards for skaters of all ages and sizes, visit the Warehouse Skateboards skateboard buying guide.

Still looking for the perfect holiday gift for a skater in your life (or for yourself)? There’s still time to get just what you need at Warehouse Skateboards! Use this shipping guide to figure out how soon to place your order for Christmas delivery:

UPS Ground Shipping (free with $150+ orders) – Order by 4 pm EST on Tuesday, 12/16
2nd Day Air Shipping – Order by 4 pm EST on Friday, 12/19
Next Day Air – Order by noon EST on Sunday, 12/21

Check out the Warehouse Skateboards shipping guide for additional information on shipping rates and guidelines.

Still not sure what you need? Head over to our buying guide for tips.

Here are some step-by-step instructions for assembling your new complete skateboard:

Here’s what you’ll need:

Gripped skateboard deck
Skateboard hardware
Skateboard trucks (2)
Skateboard bearings (2 for each wheel, 8 total)
Skateboard wheels (4)
Screwdriver
Skate tool

If you haven’t done so already, pop through the screw holes in your deck. There should be eight holes total. Insert a screw into each hole.

With the large bolt (kingpin) facing the center of the deck, attach the truck to the screws. Tighten the bolts using a screwdriver and skate tool. Repeat for the second truck.

Carefully remove the nut and two washers from the truck axle. Put them aside.

Insert the bearings into each wheel by first placing the bearing on the truck axle with the metal side down. Put the wheel onto the axle and press to insert the bearing. Repeat on both sides for each wheel.

To attach the wheels, place one of the washers onto the truck first followed the complete wheel and the second washer. Use a skate tool to secure the wheel with a nut. Repeat for the other three wheels.

Note: The nut should be tight enough to securely hold the wheel, but loose enough that the wheel can still spin easily.

You’ve found the perfect skateboard deck, skate truck, and wheels. Now all you need to do is assemble your board. Here’s what you’ll need to start rolling:

Bearings

Bearings vary quite a bit in quality, but not in size. You don’t want to compromise the quality of your skateboard with cheap bearings. The more expensive ones are actually made better; they’re sealed better, have more inner ball-bearings and higher quality metals are used.

Warehouse Skateboard only sells high-quality bearings, so feel safe to grab what’s in stock!

Riser Pads

If you’ve got a smaller board with wheels smaller than 55mm, you probably don’t need risers. Larger wheels are prone to rubbing the underside of the deck on a hard turn which can cause wheel bite. In general, the longer the board and the larger the wheels, the more height is needed in a riser pad.

You should also consider shock absorption. Softer and thicker riser pads absorb more shock and vibration. Downhillers, cruisers and street carvers often opt for thick risers to absorb street vibrations and ensure that their wheels don’t rub the deck when leaning into carves.

Trick, ramp and park skaters are better off with thin, soft risers to absorb some shock during landings from aerials, kick flips and ollies. The shock absorption also helps keep hardware from vibrating loose on rougher surfaces.

Check out the available riser pads at Warehouse Skateboards!

Skateboard hardware

Choosing the right skateboard hardware is simple. If you’re getting riser pads, go with longer bolts. If you’re not, go with the shorter ones. Even if you end up getting them too long, it’s just a few strokes with the hacksaw to trim them down, so play it safe.

Now you’re ready to assemble your board. Why not make it easy on yourself? When you build a complete skateboard at Warehouse Skateboards, we’ll assemble it free! Start building today!

When choosing a skateboard truck, you want to consider width and height.

Width

Your skateboard truck should match your deck in size. Skateboard deck sizes vary from 7.45 to 8.5 inches in street skating. Measure the body of the truck to get the info you need to determine if it will fit your deck.

• 5-inch skateboard trucks fit decks from 7.5 to 8 inches.
• 5.25-inch skateboard trucks fit decks from 8 to 8.5 inches.
• For skateboard decks 9 inches and above made for street cruising, ramp, and pool skating, you’ll need a larger truck.
  • For decks 8.5 to 9 inches, use a 149mm skateboard truck.
  • For decks 9 to 10 inches, use a 169mm truck.
  • For decks 10 inches and above, use a 215mm skateboard truck.

Height

The height of your truck will affect what you can do with the board. If you want more stability for flip tricks, a low skateboard truck and small wheels are your best bet. For cruising and speed, you need a higher skate truck to accommodate large wheels. If you’re a beginner, stick with a standard medium truck.

Check out the available skateboard trucks at Warehouse Skateboard!

The right skateboard wheels can be the difference between a smooth right and a wipe out. Where and how you skate will determine what kind of wheels you need.

Here’s are some of the terms you’ll see when you’re shopping for wheels, what they mean for your ride, and how to make the right selection for your skateboard.

Durometer

Durometer is a measurement of hardness and durability for wheels. Hard wheels equal speed and durability with less grip. Soft wheels have the best grip with less speed and durability.

Here’s a list of common durometers and what kind of skating they’re best for:

• 87A – For rough surfaces, longboards or street boards that need lots of grip.
• 95A – Similar to 87A, but slightly harder and faster. You’ll sacrifice a bit of grip, but the grip’s still good.
• 97A – Good speed and good grip. Good all-around street, ramp, park wheels. Best durometer for beginners.
• 100A – Hardest and fastest, but poor grip. Not good on very rough surfaces (no shock absorption) or on very slick surfaces (no grip).

Size

Keep in mind when choosing wheel size: the smaller the wheel the slower, while larger equals faster.

• 52-55 MM – Slow but stable, and good for trick riding and smaller riders. Not good for longboards.
• 56-60 MM – Good all-around size. Good for big and small riders on ramp, park, and street.
• 60+MM – Good for big riders, longboards, old-school boards, high speed, and rougher surfaces.

Warehouse Skateboards has a huge inventory of skateboard wheels in all durometers and sizes. Check it out!

There’s a lot more to choosing a skateboard deck than graphics. You’ll also want to consider length and width.  Check out the post on the basics of different board types for more info on how to decide on the right length for your deck.

Shape

Symmetrical: If want to kick-flip the board around under your feet and ride it in reverse half the time, you want a symmetrical board (both ends are the same shape).

Asymmetrical: If you’re going to be riding forward 95% of the time while carving, ramp riding or downhilling, feel free to go with an asymmetrical board.

Concave

If you’re looking at a shortboard/standard skateboard, you’ll want a good concave. Concave strengthens the deck and kills flex, making it more responsive.

Carvers and downhill boarders tend to like a little flex – or even a lot of flex . If that’s what you plan to do, it’s up to you to decide how much flex floats your boat. Many carvers and downhillers have a stiff board and a really flexy downhill board to get the best of both worlds.

Width

The width of your deck is determined by your size and what you want to do with the skateboard.

Mini 6.5″ – For the little guy, up to 6 years old and under 80 lbs.
Mid 7.0″ to 7.5″ – Great board for 7 to 10 year olds.
7.5″ to 7.87″ – Skating streets or doing more technical tricks.
7.87″ to 8.25″ – Skating pools, ramps, and parks with heavy transitions.
8.25″ and above – Going old school or just cruising.

Check out the available skateboard decks at Warehouse Skateboard!

Preassembled complete skateboards are great for novice skaters who want a board with all the right parts. They’re also great for the skate-masters who know precisely what they want, since many completes are built with components from top skateboard brands.

There are different types of skateboards for different types of riding. Here’s a rundown on the different types and what they’re for:

• Short, narrow boards with small wheels and trucks: Technical, trick skating. Boards are light, low and easy to flip around under your feet.

• Short, but wider with mid-size wheels and trucks: The standard board for everything from tricks to ramps to street. Stable, but still light and agile.

• Longer, wider boards with wide trucks and big wheels: Better carving and street riding on rougher surfaces. Good for some ramp and park skating, but mostly for carving or downhill skating.

Most boards these days are symmetrical, so they can be flipped around and ridden the same way. Longboards and retro-boards (“old-school” classics) tend to have a definite, pointed nose and a squarish tail. They weren’t intended to be ridden backwards. When you’re carving or downhill skating on a longer board, you just don’t do a lot of reversing. The old-school asymmetrical boards are just classics that are revered from the early days of park and ramp skating.

If you’re just getting started and want the universal board, go with a symmetrical (both ends look the same) board as described in the middle bullet above.

Warehouse Skateboards offers complete skateboards that are built from the same quality parts offered separately on our site. We do the brainwork of deciding what works well with what and you get a skate-ready board and a nice little discount for buying all the parts at one time!

Check out our up-to-the-minute inventory of complete skateboards currently on sale 20% off!