Skateboard Shelves With LED Lighting

I've seen various versions of these, but wanted to add some lighting so I could use them as a night light in our son's room. The whole thing cost about $100 which I was pretty happy with.

3 or 4 Kids Skateboards (I used 17" ones which were $9 each online)
2 strips of wood about 15mm x 40mm x 1200mm
8 small angle brackets
1 piece of 5mm perspex about 300mm x 900mm
32 small wood screws no longer than the thickness of the skateboards
Some gloss enamel paint
Some PVA wood glue
Some wood filler
About 2m of RGM led strip light
12v DC Adaptor
1 Mini RF Remote Control LED controller

I removed the trucks (wheels) from the skateboards as I wanted to hide the brackets behind them. Cut off 300mm of wood from each length and save for later. Space the skateboards out evenly along the two strips of wood and affix brackets, pre-drilling each hole. Ensure you use screws short enough so they don't come through the top of the skateboard decks. Ensure the inner edges of the wood are 300mm apart and parallel (use the off-cuts as spacers).

My skateboard's axles were slightly wider than the skateboard deck. So I drilled a hole the same diameter as the axles about 8mm deep (the same as the overhang). I was careful to test the position for each axel, removing the wheel. This allows the skateboard to remain perpendicular to the wooden rails once the trucks are reattached. It also added some vertical strength, allowing the shelves to take extra weight.

Use the 300mm offcuts to complete the frame at the top and the bottom. I simply used wood glue but you could also angle screw or countersink a screw and then fill over the screw head.

Flip the frame over and test fit your perspex. I actually got a piece cut after my frame was built, as I wanted a snug fit. I used frosted perspex rather than clear. You could use coloured perspex or opaque perspex also. Once you are happy it all fits together, take the skateboards off and paint the whole thing. Ensure you fill any joins, and sand between coats to get a smooth finish.

Reattach the skateboards to the frame, and attach the trucks to the skateboards. I wanted all the wheels on, but you could leave them off or leave the inside wheel (closest to wall) off. I was unable to reattach the nut on the wheel with the axel drilled into the frame, but it was a snug fit and can't fall off.

Flip it back over, drop in the perspex and then drill a hole in the bottom to fit the DC socket from the mini RF LED controller. Cut your LED strip to length. My LED strip had self adhesive backing, so I used this to stick it around the edge. It also helps hold the perspex in place, although I did use a few dots of hot glue behind each skateboard. I also hot glued he DC socket and controller in pace.

I added some picture hangers to the back and a small strip of rubber (optional). The rubber stops any light leaking out the sides and also stops the wall from being damaged. The RF controller lets me change colours, dim or brighten, and also run through a range of auto changing modes. Just hang it on the wall with two sturdy screws and you have shelves and a night light.