The Handmade Skateboard: Design & Build a Custom Longboard, Cruiser, or Street Deck from Scratch

I bought this book for my husband for Christmas because I thought it would make him finally want to pack up our flannels, gender neutral toddler, rescue mutt and upcycled iguana and move to Portland to start the donut-based food truck we'd always dreamed of. But noooooo we still live in Wisconsin, I only do yoga like once a month (ok fine it's Senior Strech at the old strip mall but it's free and I look like a solid 10 next to those old ladies) and nobody really appreciates my Tibetan throat singing here.I mean, can you imagine actually making a skateboard? Like with your hands? It would be an epiphany! This place is not for me! I belong with my skateboard carpenter brethren! The coolest Jesus EVER. I thought for sure this is what it would take for Nedrebo to toss his Vans and beard wax in the old gunnysack he uses as luggage and head for the hills. Now he's all 'I don't have time to make a skateboard, I have a job.' And alas, here I sit, still recovering from the salmonella I got from our backyard chickens we slaughtered in the driveway. I can barely meditate over this godawful hockey game that inexplicably follows me around. The neighbors are starting to get pissed about our beehive and my kid doesn't even like chia seeds any more. I don't know how much longer I can take it here.This book did not meet my expectations. Would NOT buy again. 4/5 stars because having it on our bookshelf conveys an important message about our values to any house guests and/or passing vagrants. And it technically does teach you how to make a skateboard. Whatever.

I've been doing some woodworking as a hobby for a couple of years and wanted to make a skateboard. I like the look of the old-school decks and was particularly interested in a making a longboard. I got this book and read it cover to cover... and re-read it several times! It covers 4 main styles of construction ranging from a solid piece of wood, to vacuum compressing veneers. It can be overwhelming when shopping for the parts (trucks, bearings, wheels, spacers, pad, hardware) and this book along with some websites helped explain the differences. The book covers what type of finish to use on the board and how to make it grip without using grip-tape. It explains which tools are easiest to use and often provides alternatives in case you don't own the tools.The author has a Facebook page for his line of boards and was very responsive when I had a question.Here are some pics of my first board. It's 40-inches long and 9-inches wide in a fishtail shape made from solid Padauk and Maple. I'd say that I spent more time reading the book and researching the project than I spent actually building the board. I think it came out nice and I'm a little wary of getting it banged up now. I guess I'll have to build another.

Bought this to use as a reference for my High school woods class that I teach. I was able to follow it and make a few of the designs from what we have in the shop. Many more can also be made with basic tools and ability as well. I would recommend this to anyone interested in skateboard making or just learning about the industry.

I really appreciated the book with all the information and technical aspects.Learned a lot yet (I must say) if you travel over the web you find identical or even more detailed information.

Love the book! I like the background of skateboarding and how encouraging it is. I haven't made one yet, but I will. It's great to know that I don't need a huge shop of power tools. I'll share a picture of my first board when it's done.

Fun book. Great for the coffee table even if I don't ever get around to building a board. Has a good deal of information if I do build a board. The history and pictures are appreciated.

This is a great book. It is well written and fun to read. More importantly, it has easy to follow instructions. You could just go straight for the instructions, but you'd miss out on the history of skateboards as well as spotlights on different companies making custom boards.

Exactly what my hubby was looking for, thanks!

I’ve got a general interest in building skateboards so bought this after following the author on instagram. Not put it down since I got and got loads of ideas for building skateboards. Book also goes into the history and different styles of boards. You dont need to be a master woodworker with loads of tools and fancy shop to start building your very own board.

It’s only a short book but I picked up a few hints and tips that will make my life much easier!

After having made my first garage board I wanted to know more about the history and best practices of longboard making. This book is exactly what I needed.

Je cherchais un livre de référence pour fabriquer moi meme un skateboard... Bon c'est une jolie histoire qu'on me raconte, rien de plus...Il n'y a pas de plans, peu de méthodologie, rien qui puisse réellement nous aider à designer et fabriquer un skate. On en apprend plus dans les tutos internet ;-)J'attendais plus d'infos sur l'impact des options de designs (angles, devers, position des trucks....)1 étoile pour l'histoire.

Muy buen libro. Te cuenta los orígenes y luego te explica claramente como construir un longboard, las maderas a elegir, etc. Totalmente recomendable.