Introduction: Building Skateboards Out of Wood Waterskis
Hey everyone – Jeff King here – Host of Fuel TV’s series “Built to Shred.” Today we’re going to show you how to make skateboards out of old water skis. Sometimes people think that you have to go buy a new skateboard to replace your old deck. But there are some alternatives – like finding an old wooden waterski at a yard sale – to make a new (or even cooler, retro looking) skate deck. To check out more skate spots, moto jumps, snowboard rails, wakeboard obstacles and bmx burns, watch “Built to Shred” on Fuel TV or check out previous shows at fuel.tv.
Step 1:
Find a good wooden water ski. Check out garage sales or flea markets for good deals.
Step 2:
First thing you need to do is take off all the old component parts from the waterski.
Step 3:
Then you draw your shape of skateboard deck you want on the waterski, and if you want, you can draw a template on a piece of paper or you can draw it directly on the ski by hand. You can make whatever shape you want and then cut it out with a band saw.
Step 4:
Use a band saw to cut out the shape you just traced. Let the blade do the work and just lightly guide the saw. If you don’t have access to a band saw you can use a jig saw or some kind of a hand saw if you want. Your edges are going be a little bit sharp, so you’re going to have to sand them when you’re done.
Step 5:
Drill holes for your trucks. Just make sure that when you put your trucks on that you center them. Get a straight edge and run it down the length of the ski/board to get the center.
Step 6:
Next you put your grip tape, your trucks and wheels on the board.
Step 7:
Now it’s time to go shred!
36 Comments
8 years ago on Introduction
guys I have a water ski, one layer, but I don't know if it's gonna resist my weight. Do you know how to make it more resistant?
12 years ago on Introduction
Love the Idea guys, I made a beautiful six foot longboard yesterday just by ommitting the cutting step =P but I'm going out to test it today, keep posting more instructabes!!
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
( •_•)
( •_•)<⌐■-■
(⌐■_■)
plz make a youtube video
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
that's not a longboard it's a loooooooooooooooooooooong board
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
epic
12 years ago on Introduction
Thank you for the memories. My friends and I used old skies back around 1967 to build our skateboards. Of course we had to use the dreaded hard composite wheels that would spill you in you hit so much as a small twig. PS: You do a much better jog than we did.
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
no polyurethane wheels when you made them yet, huh?
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Nope. No such thing as polyurethane wheels in those days. The only other choice would have been steel wheels.
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
That must have stunk. I have seen videos and pictures of the old steel and "cement" wheels that people used to use
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
It did stink! But then again, it was all that there was and it was still fun. You had to ride on clean swept concrete. Asphalt would just throw you to the ground.
12 years ago on Introduction
Is it just me, or is this ible about making skateboards, not what to wear when making one or safety equipment... Please stay on topic. Instructibles is starting to run down the drain here.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
The title is sort of Building "Skateboards Out of Wood Waterskis"
Is it just me, or does this not convey the slightest hint of safety gear?
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
full grown men here, their mommies dont have to tell them what to do
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
I'm only like 15, so I'm kinda nor grown. also, It's been a year since I posted this, so great job. You must feel so fufilled
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
I mean the instructable, i meant no offense to you
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
So you were agreeing with me? Sarcasm is hard to read.
11 years ago on Introduction
where can you buy longboard trucks and wheels?
12 years ago on Introduction
great job but can sombody tell me how to put pictures on (i use kodake easy share)
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
just put the jpgs in a folder on your desktop then whil you post a comment you click upload images then brouse for them in the folder, select whichones you want and click ok.
then you click upload waight for them ti finish uploading then post your comment or reply
11 years ago on Introduction
I love Sammy's inverted cross on his board.