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Christian Snead
TTED 5030 Advanced Woodworking
Project: Skateboard (Grades 9/10)
I chose this skateboard project as a supplemental project to offer to grade 9 and 10 students. I
believe this project would appeal to many students – who like to skateboard – and they
therefore, would find value in this project. This project could appeal to the students in the
sense that they would find it useful because they would get to use their boards when they are
done.
Project Description
Although the end project will be a completed skateboard, the majority of this project will focus
on creating the jig/ press. Once the jig is complete, the fun of creating the skateboard design
will occur. It is important to point out that approximately 75% of this project entails creating
the jig/press.
Plans for the Project
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Photos Detailing the Manufacturing Process at the Key Stages (and written construction procedure)
STEP 1: get the two skateboard decks that provide the shape and contour of the skateboard in the
press.
STEP 2: using the 2 X 4’s, cut each 2X4 into 3 equal pieces.
STEP 3: you now have 6 equal pieces of 2 X 4.
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You need to form the 2 X 4’s to match the contour of both the top and bottom boards.
You will position each piece of 2 X 4 in 3 specific spots (outer edges and middle – running
length wise) on both Board A and Board B. (Figures 1 and 2 show this step.) Figures 3 and 4
show this step in its completed form.
TIP: in order to achieve a match of the contour on the 2 X 4 with the board, you need to first
trace out the contour onto the 2 X 4, then on a belt sander, sand out the board until the
contour fits as tight as possible.
Figure 1
Figure 2
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Figure 3
Figure 4
STEP 4: Individually place each brace piece in its desired location on both Board A and B. Through
each brace piece, drill a pilot hole into the deck. After all holes are lined up properly, secure brace
piece to deck using a wood screw.
TIP: Make sure you use a counter sink bit. This will ensure that the screw head is not protruding
when you press your board.
STEP 5: You are now ready to install the clamping device for your press.
All you need to do this is two pieces of 1/8 inch Redi Rod and the corresponding nuts and washers.
Figure 3: 1/8 inch Redi Rod
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Figure 4
Place your both Board A and Board B (along with attached brace pieces) together. Using a 3/8
drill bit, drill holes through the middle pieces of each end of the jig.
Once you have drilled through both middle pieces, you should be able to place your Redi Rod
through the end holes. (See Figure 3)
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STEP 6: You can now set aside jig and prepare material for creating the skateboard.
Figure 5: Veneer
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Figure 6: Skateboard Layers
Cut wood veneer to about 35 inches long – use and Xacto knife for this.
I used 16 layers for my skateboard. Depending on the thickness of your veneer, you can use
anywhere from 7 to 16 layers.
Once all the pieces are cut to the desired length, set up an area to begin gluing each individual
piece.
Figure 7: Spreading Wood Glue
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Cover each individual layer with regular yellow or white wood glue. (See Figure 7)
Make sure you jig is close by and open, as the glue sets quickly. You will need to work quickly.
Use either a piece of cork or cardboard for the outside layers in your press. This will ensure
that any imperfections in the lining up of the top and bottom of your presses are absorbed
and minimized.
Once all 16 layers have been glued and stacked on top of one another, place pieces, centered
in jig and tighten the nuts on each end of the Redi Rod as tightly as possible. See Figure 8
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Figure 8
Figure 9
STEP 7: After leaving the laminate to set in the press for at least 2 – 4 hours (ideally leave it in
overnight), remove the unfinished board from the press. Cut out the finished shape of the board on
the band saw. See Figure 10 below.
Figure 10
STEP 8: Round of the edges of the board using a belt sander. (See Figures 11 and 12).
Figure 11
Figure 12
STEP 9: Now it’s time to finish your board with POLYRIFAYNE? – water proofs, sealed from the
element. You can add your hardware (trucks, wheels, grip tape)
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Materials List
1. 2 skateboard decks (these can be bought fairly cheaply. I bought 2 at Walmart for under $50).
The standard size skateboard is about 33/34 inches.
2. 2 lengths of 1/8 inch Redi Rod
3. 2 2X4 (approximately 36 inches long)
4. 12 – 16 sheets of Canadian Maple laminate wood (this will depend on the thickness you want to
make your deck. I used 15 plies of the wood).
5. Wood glue
6. Grip tape for the end product
Wood Cost
$1.70 in veneer cost
Works Cited
1. Photo of Skateboard Deck
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=pictures+of+skateboard+decks&qpvt=pictures+of+skat
eboard+decks&FORM=IGRE
2. Photo of 2 X 4
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=pictures+of+2+X+4+wood&qpvt=pictures+of+2+X+4+w
ood&FORM=IGRE#view=detail&id=249405ACFAD46FB134FA81104F8BA8D6E4187E57&selected
Index=5
3. Photo Redi Rod
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=pictures+of+2+X+4+wood&qpvt=pictures+of+2+X+4+w
ood&FORM=IGRE&&id=249405ACFAD46FB134FA81104F8BA8D6E4187E57&selectedIndex=5#vi
ew=detail
4. Photo of layers of skateboard and veneer wood
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=veneer+layers+of+skateboard&qpvt=veneer+layers+of
+skateboard&FORM=IGRE