This Instructable provides detailed instructions on how to build a custom and inexpensive LED Skateboard, including the skateboard assembly and making the LED throwies for the under lighting on the board.

This Instructable can be attempted by anyone over the age of 13, with any level of expertise. It is advised that anyone under the age of 18 be supervised by a responsible adult. After completing this Instructable, the creator should be familiar with the various parts and process of building a skateboard, as well as, having a better understanding of batteries and their charges.

For ages 13 and up due to the following warnings:

CHOKING HAZARD: The materials used for this Instructable should be kept out of reach of small children.
SHARP EDGES: The metal leads on the LED are sharp, and should be handled with extreme caution.

Step 1: Gather the Materials

Resources:

Skateboard
Skateboard tool
Skateboard hardware
Scotch tape (any kind of tape will work)
10mm diffused LEDs - 6 count
- Note: The number and color of LEDs used to make an LED skateboard varies by preference and desired brightness.
- Note: You may wish to purchase extra LEDs in case of malfunction.
CR2032 3-volt Lithium batteries - 6 count
- Note: The number of batteries should be equal to the number of LEDs you are using to light your skateboard.

Note: The resources used for this Instructable make one LED skateboard.

WARNINGS

CHOKING HAZARD: This Instructable uses materials that should be kept out of reach of small children.
SHARP EDGES: The metal leads on the LED are sharp, and should be handled with extreme caution.

Step 2: Attach the Truck Base to the Board

Place board on its side
Truck base must be placed with the bolts facing inward
Aline truck base screw holes with board holes
Place screws from the opposite side, through the holes, and into the truck base
Tighten the 3/8" nuts on the end of the screws
Use the screwdriver to hold the screw in place while using the skateboard tool to tighten the nut on the other side.
Tighten bolts until snug

Step 3: Assemble the Trucks

Insert the pivot push into base so that the bolt goes through the hole in the center of the truck.
Place the rubber red ring, large side down, into the bolt in the center of the truck.
Place the silver ring on top of the red ring.
Place the 9/16" king pin nut on the end and tighten with largest end of the skate tool.

Note: The tighter the king pin nut is, the harder it is to turn. The looser the king pin nut is, the easier it is to turn.

Step 4: Put the Bearings on the Wheels

Use your hands to push the bearing, with the ring facing out, into the wheel well.
Turn board on to side so that the end of the truck axel points upward.
Slide the wheel onto the truck axel with the bearing facing down
Use all of your body weight to push down on the wheel until you feel the bearing slide into place.
Turn the wheel over and repeat this step.

Step 5: Put the Wheels on the Trucks

Turn board on to side so that the end of the truck axel points upward.
Slide one of the small metal O-rings on to the end up the truck axel.
Slide the wheel onto axel followed by another O-ring.
Screw a 1/2" nut onto the end of the axel.
Use the medium size end of the skateboard tool to tighten the nut until it is at least flush with the axel.
Repeat for all wheels.

Step 6: Making LED Throwies (without Magnets)

To make the LED throwies, you will need the following materials:

Tape
10mm diffused LEDs
CR2032 3-volt Lithium batteries

This Instructable does not use magnets to create the throwies, making them more portable, inexpensive, and easier to secure to the underside of the skateboard. The magnets are not needed since they will not stick to the wood on the board. The creation of LED throwies using magnets will not be covered in this Instructable as it is not relevant to the purpose of this project.

Once you have gathered the needed materials, proceed to the next step.

Step 7: Familiarize Yourself With the LED and Lithium Battery

Before beginning, take some time to familiarize yourself with the different components of the LED and battery.

On the Lithium battery, you will notice that one side has a plus sign etched into the metal. This is the positive side of the battery. The opposite side is the negative side, but does not have any etch marks.

When looking at the LED, notice that the metal leads extending from the colored tip are different lengths. The longer lead is called the anode and it has a negative charge. This lead will attached to the positive side of the battery. The shorter lead is called the cathode and it has a positive charge. This lead will attach to the negative side of the battery.

Once you feel comfortable with the components of these item, you may move on to the next step.

Step 8: Test the LED

To test the LED:

Insert the Lithium battery between the two metal leads on the LED.
- Attach the longer lead on the LED (the anode, or, negative side) to the positive side of the battery. Remember, the positive side has a plus sign etched into the metal.
- Attach the shorter lead on the LED (the cathode, or, positive side) to the negative side of the battery. This is the side without any etchings.
Press and hold the metal leads onto the sides of the battery to test the LED.
- Note: If the LED does not turn on, flip the battery around and try again. If the LED still does not light, the LED or battery may be bad. In this case, switch them out for new ones and repeat step 1.
  After the LED successfully lights up, move on to the next step.

Step 9: Tape the LED to the Battery

Now that the LED has been tested, use tape to secure the LED leads to the battery.

Cut a 3 inch strip of scotch tape.
- Note: If using wider tape than scotch tape, first, use scissors to cut the tape into 1 inch by 3 inch segments.
Attach the tape to the battery with the LED pointing up, as shown in the photo.
Wrap the tape around the battery.
Press the tape onto the leads to make sure they are secure.

Repeat the previous step (Test the LED) and this step (Tape the LED to the Battery) until all LEDs are secured to a battery.

Note: Once the LED is secured to the battery, handle only by the end with the battery, not the LED. This will ensure that the LED leads remain secure.