To make a longboard deck, gather materials and tools, such as plywood, a jigsaw, sandpaper, and a clear coat. Cut the plywood into the desired shape and sand the edges to remove any rough edges or splinters.
Add any design or art to the deck before applying the clear coat.
Credit: stokedrideshop.com
Choosing The Right Materials
Longboarding is a thrilling activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Riding your own longboard adds a personal touch to your riding experience, and it’s a great way to stand out from the crowd. If you’re interested in making your own longboard deck, you’re in the right place.
This guide outlines the essential materials you’ll need and the steps you should follow to create a unique and durable longboard deck.
Plywood Sheets
Plywood sheets are the primary material for crafting a longboard deck.
- Choose high-quality, 7-ply hardwood birch plywood for your deck.
- The thickness of your plywood should be between 1/8 inch and 1/4 inch.
- Always double-check the grade of the plywood, as low-grade sheets can contain voids and soft spots that affect your final product’s strength.
Veneer Sheets
Veneer sheets play an essential role in longboard deck construction.
- Choose 4-5 sheets of veneer for every layer you plan to add to your deck.
- You can use either hardwood or bamboo veneer sheets.
- Cut your veneer sheets to match the length and width of your plywood to ensure a proper fit.
Wood Glue
Wood glue is essential for keeping your longboard deck together.
- Use high-quality, waterproof glue for your project to ensure durability.
- Apply a generous amount of glue on each layer of veneer before attaching it to the plywood sheet.
- Make sure that all your layers are correctly aligned before applying pressure.
Clamps
Clamps are a crucial tool for shaping your longboard deck.
- Use heavy-duty clamps that are strong enough to hold your layers together securely.
- Place the clamps to hold the layers together tightly while the glue dries.
- You need to apply pressure uniformly on your longboard deck to create a smooth and even shape.
Jigsaw Or Circular Saw
A saw is an effective tool for cutting your longboard deck material.
- A jigsaw or circular saw with a fine-tooth blade is perfect for cutting longboard deck materials.
- The tools should be adequately lubed and sharp.
- Ensure you keep a steady hand while cutting for better results.
Sandpaper
To give your longboard deck a smooth finish, you need sandpaper.
- Use sandpaper with varying grits, starting from 60-grit sandpaper and going up to 220-grit sandpaper.
- Sand your longboard deck carefully and uniformly to achieve a smooth surface.
- Make sure all edges are sanded down to avoid sharp edges.
Clear Coat Or Varnish
A clear coat or varnish completes your longboard deck’s look and provides a protective layer.
- Choose a varnish or clear coat that’s suitable for outdoor use.
- Apply two to three coats for optimal protection.
- Make sure your final coat is thoroughly dry before riding your longboard deck.
By following the above guidelines, you can create a unique and durable longboard deck that suits your style and preferences.
Designing Your Longboard Deck
When it comes to a longboard deck, it’s crucial to choose the right shape and size. Everything from concave to the rocker can significantly affect performance. Here, we’ll discuss some key information to keep in mind while designing your longboard deck.
Deck Shape And Size
The size and shape of your deck will influence the board’s stability, maneuverability, and speed.
- Pintail: narrow nose and tail with a wide midsection. Ideal for cruising and carving.
- Drop-through: cut out deck with the truck mounted through the top. Allows for a lower center of gravity, which enhances stability.
- Top mount: traditional deck with the truck mounted on the bottom. Offers greater maneuverability and a smaller turning radius.
- Mini cruiser: compact deck design for easy portability and short-distance travel.
Concave
The concave of your deck refers to the curve from side to side. This can impact how locked in you feel when turning and can also help prevent slipping.
- Flat: no curve in the board
- Camber: ‘u’ shaped curve that enhances flexibility
- W-concave: multiple ‘u’ shapes cut into the deck for added grip
Rocker
The rocker of your deck refers to the upward curve running end to end. It determines how much contact the board has with the ground and how easily you can turn.
- Flat: no curve in the deck
- Micro: slight upwards curve
- Progressive: gradual upward curve toward the center
Wheelbase
The wheelbase of your deck is the distance between the center of the front and back trucks. This can affect stability, speed, and maneuverability, depending on the length of the wheelbase. The standard wheelbase for most longboards is around 29-32 inches.
Kicktail
The kicktail on your deck is the upward curve at the tip and tail of the board. It impacts how easily you can turn the board and can also be useful for tricks.
- Short kicktail: small curve
- Long kicktail: longer curve, providing more leverage for tricks
By considering these five factors, you can design a longboard deck that is tailor-made to meet your specific needs and riding style. Happy building!
The ULTIMATE Guide to Making a Longboard | CashedOutBoards
Cutting And Assembling Your Longboard Deck
Longboarding is a thrilling activity that many people enjoy. However, buying a longboard deck from a store can be quite costly. Building your own longboard deck can save you some money and also provide a sense of satisfaction. In this section, we will cover how to cut and assemble your longboard deck.
Cutting The Plywood:
To start making your longboard deck, you first need to cut the plywood according to your design specifications.
- Measure and draw your longboard deck shape using pencil and ruler.
- Use a jigsaw or circular saw to cut the plywood according to the drawn design.
- Smooth the edges using a sander or sandpaper.
Creating The Veneer Layers:
After you have cut your plywood, the next step in making your longboard deck is creating veneer layers.
- Select veneer sheets that are of the same thickness and grain direction.
- Glue the veneer sheets together and overlap them slightly, making sure that the grain direction alternates between each sheet.
- Clamp the glued veneer layers together and let them dry overnight.
- Trim the edges of the veneer layers to the perimeter of the deck.
Using veneer sheets for making your longboard deck adds strength to the board and makes it more flexible.
Vacuum Bagging Technique:
The final step in making a longboard deck is using the vacuum bagging technique.
- Apply glue to the veneer layers and press them together, making sure they are even and have no air bubbles.
- Place the deck, along with a vacuum bag, foam, and sealant tape, on a flat surface.
- Connect the vacuum pump to the valve on the vacuum bag and start the pump, which will create pressure between the deck and the foam.
- Let the deck dry for at least 24 hours. The pressure from the vacuum will ensure the glue and veneers bond correctly.
Using the vacuum bagging technique ensures that your longboard deck is sturdy, strong, and of high quality.
Building a longboard deck is a fun and rewarding experience. With the right tools and materials, you can create a high-quality board that is unique and personalized to you. Following these steps and techniques will ensure that your longboard deck is durable, strong, and ready to ride.
Shaping And Sanding Your Longboard Deck
Longboard decks come in all shapes and sizes, but there’s nothing quite like designing and making your own deck. The process can be incredibly rewarding, from choosing the wood and shaping it to your specifications, to custom graphics or finishes.
In this guide, we’ll cover how to shape and sand your longboard deck to perfection, making sure that each h3 heading adheres to markdown syntax (###).
Shaping The Deck
Shaping your longboard deck is essential for customizing it and making it fit your style.
- Use sandpaper, a rasp file, or even a dremel tool to shape the deck according to your design specifications. A dremel tool can be particularly useful for intricate designs and curves.
- Start shaping your deck by marking your desired shape onto the wood. Draw out the lines of the deck using a pencil or marker. Remember, measure twice and cut once!
- Cut off any excess wood using a saw so that you have a board that matches your desired shape.
- Use a rasp file to smooth out any rough edges and curves, working your way around the board. Always ensure that you work slowly and carefully.
- Once you’re satisfied with the shape, it’s time to sand your longboard deck.
Sanding The Deck
Sanding your longboard deck is a crucial step before finishing it.
- Start with a coarse-grain sandpaper (60-80 grit) and work your way up to progressively finer-grained sandpaper (120, 220, 320 grit) until you have a smooth finish.
- It’s important to sand the entire deck evenly. Start with the sides and the edges, making sure that you don’t create any uneven lines.
- After you’ve sanded the sides and edges, start sanding the top of the deck. Sanding with the grain rather than against it will give you a smoother finish.
- Sand the entire deck with progressively finer sandpaper until it’s completely smooth, and ready for finishing. You can use a tack cloth or rag to remove dust and debris.
By following these steps, you can shape and sand your longboard deck to perfection, ready to add any desired finishes or custom graphics. With a little patience and some creativity, you can create a longboard deck that you’ll be proud to ride for years to come.
Adding The Finishing Touches
Building your own longboard deck is a gratifying experience, but it is also time-consuming, from designing your own template to shaping the wood. Once you have cut the wood, drilled the holes, placed the trucks and wheels on, you are almost done! But before you set off for your maiden longboard ride, these final touches make all the difference in finishing off your board with some style.
Grip Tape
Grip tape is a resilient and abrasive paper that coats the surface of the longboard deck to improve the rider’s grip; it shields the deck’s surface and adds to the visual appeal of the board.
- Clean the deck surface with a dry cloth or degreaser
- Shape the grip tape by outlining the deck and cutting it
- Remove the backing paper on the grip tape and apply it to the deck by sticking it on gently
- Rub the top of the grip tape with a blunt object to attach it firmly to the deck and ensure crease-free application
- Slice off any excess grip tape using a sharp blade along the edges of the deck
Varnishing
Varnishing is a process of coating the deck with a protective layer and enhancing the wood’s natural beauty. Applying a few coats of varnish makes your longboard shinier while safeguarding your deck from scratches, moisture, and abrasion.
- Sand the deck with a fine-grit sandpaper to even out any irregularities
- If you want to add color to the deck, apply a wood stain before varnishing (optional)
- Apply a coat of varnish to the deck using a brush or spray, in long and smooth strokes following the wood grains
- Allow the varnish to dry before applying another coat, typically after 6-8 hours, and repeat. Applying 2 – 3 coatings of varnish is enough.
- Let it dry thoroughly before cutting the excess tape and attaching the trucks and wheels
Personalize Your Longboard
Personalizing your longboard is a way of making it unique and reflecting your personality.
- Paint unique designs onto the grip tape using spray paint or a paintbrush.
- Use stickers to add texture and designs to the deck
- Add graphics or pictures to the bottom of the deck with a custom-printed vinyl wrap.
Remember, the final steps of finishing your longboard deck are the icing on the cake; they can transform a good board into a great one. Adding grip tape, varnishing the deck, and personalizing it will help you express your creativity and skill.
With your new longboard deck, you can cruise around the town in style while enjoying a smooth and comfortable ride.
Conclusion
Making a longboard deck may seem daunting, but it is a highly rewarding process. As we have learned, it requires careful planning, precise measurements, and a lot of patience. By selecting the right materials, tools, and techniques, you can craft a custom deck that suits your riding style and preferences.
Remember to take safety measures seriously and pay attention to every detail, from sanding to staining. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced rider, making your own longboard deck can be a fun and fulfilling project that allows you to unleash your creativity and express your personality on the board.
So, grab your tools, put on your protective gear, and start shaping your dream deck today!
