Skateboard Setup / Assembly

First a little bit of story, I still remember when I was very young 6 years old or younger came across a Snake board. I don't remember how but at that time I already knew what a skateboard was and already knew that it was a dangerous sport. I definitely tried the snake board and I still remember having both hands on the front and my knees on the back while twisting in different directions and falling on my face with hands getting.

Now in 2016 I decided to just go forward and get myself a skateboard where I made research on where I wanted to have a professional one suited to me and one that I want to assemble myself. Unfortunately in my country all the shops would sell assemble ones and all from different brands that I didn't know about and very expensive like over $200 for the good quality ones.

Then I went online and to play it safe bought a skateboard with all the parts that comes in one package tailored for the board. Once I received it I just went on YouTube and followed the instructions on how to get everything together.

First thing is to make sure that you have all the parts that you need to assemble your skateboard.

Here are the Parts list + more details about each of them

Deck - mine is a DAVIDSON JUJU

Deck size - 8.0''

Trucks - Black/Black 50 Core

Wheels - 52mm White "TGM Goth Logo"

Bearing - Amphetamine ABEC 5 Speed Bearings

HARDWARE - 1" Hardware high grade shoulder bolt (Bolts, Nuts, Washers, Spacers, Bearings)

Risers - 1/8" H-Block Riser Pads (I didn't use them)

Grip Tape - Black Diamond Grip Tape

Skateboards T-Tools

Cutter/Razerblade - To cut the Grip tape

Alright, once you have all the parts ready, lets move to the next step.

First thing to do is to apply the grip tape to the board. Set the board down then take the grip tape and at eye level try to make it cover the board to get a feel of how it will be. Then when you are sure to put it in place, remove the paper to reveal the adhesive.

From there carefully align the grip tape so that it fits the board from the top deck and when you are ready to go just start laying the grip tape from one side and then continue to apply pressure all over till you reach the other end of the board.

Once grip tape applied, we need to remove the excess around the board as remember we want it to fit nicely. To do that we can use a screw driver, piece of metal (I used my Allen Wrench) or anything that u can use to scratch around the edge of the board to make the outline.

Once the outline has been completed, use your cutter/razor blade and start cutting away from you by pressing tightly against it and just move along the line that was marked which should easily follow through as the mark created a path and the board will allow the cutter to glide easily. (I did it towards me because I had more leverage but did it slowly so that it doesn't slip and cut me open) Once done look around the board for any excess or missed part and then remove to make it nicely.

Once the grip tape has been applied, it is time to attach the trucks. However with the Grip tape in place we need to located the holes on the board so that we can fit in the bolts in. To poke the hole it is better done from the top as some grip tape might tear if done from the bottom. What I did was to use a sewing push pin and from the underside of the board locate each hole and push the pin through it that would just mark the hole position on the other side.

Once done turn the board over to the grip tape and then use a screwdriver or in my case an Allen Wrench. Locate the small holes that were made and then start poking the holes from the top till the last one.

I recommend starting from one side and with one truck. First put the bolts in the holes which for me didn't went through completely so I used my T-tool put over the bolt and then applied pressure to get it through. Then flip the board to the other side and insert the truck over the bolts add the nuts over the bolts and loosely fasten the nuts by hand. Next is to take the skate tool or the T-tool use the screwdriver piece and start tightening everything. Once completed do the same thing to the other side. Note: when installing the trucks make sure the kingpins are both facing towards the center else when riding the skateboard it will not go in the direction as you want to.

Make sure that you have all the tools and accessories in place.

Time to put the wheels and bearings onto the board, the easiest way is to put the bearing into the axle and then put the wheel over it then push hard till the bearing is in the wheel. Remove the wheel put another bearing into the axle put the wheel onto the other side and push onto the bearing till it is into the wheel. Then put the wheel onto the axle make sure that it spins smooth and not wobbly. If it is wobbly the bearings are not fully inside the wheels, remove the wheels flip it on each side and use the axle to push it down with more pressure so that it fits in properly. Repeat the same for each wheel.

If any reason you need to remove the bearings from the wheels, put the wheel inside the axle then pry it out by angling the wheel to the side when removing from the axle that will make the bearing come out easier.

Before u put the wheels on you should have spacers in your hardware and like 8 of them where two for each wheel one inserted onto the axle first then the wheel goes in, then the other spacer gets in and finally put on the nut onto the axle and tighten it up. The spacers are used to space out the bearings from the nut and the trucks to protect it from smashing against each other. Note if you don't put the bearings you can still use your skateboard which is no big deal really except that your bearings will tend to wear faster.

Once all the wheels and nuts are in, time to tighten everything together using the skate / t-tool. Be sure to test the wheel after it has been tightened as if too much the wheel will not roll that smooth so you need to loosen a bit. Do this till it rolls freely but not too loose or too tight and do this for all the 4 wheels.

That's it it's done, your skateboard is ready and now you need to test it and configure it to your liking as different people will have their own configuration. As you can see the grip tape already dirty with my foot print.