Table of Contents

Introduction

A Case for Do-It-Yourself

The Short History of This Skateboard Maker

Early Innovations in the Garage Shop

Computer-operated manufacturing revolutionizes the skate deck

Chapter One

The History of a Skateboard Maker 1930 - Present Day

The Complete Illustrated Guide to Skateboard Design

Design Elements

The Ingredient

Deck Types

Chapter Two

Project One: How to Build a Hack Board

Project Two: How to Build a Vintage Pin-Striped Skateboard

Project Three: How to Build a Bergerboard

Project Four: Build a Pro Street Deck

Project Five: Going Pro: How to Up Your Game

Chapter Three

Lessons from a Furniture Maker and Woodworker

Resources

Index

About the Author

Matt Berger is a digital producer, author, and woodworker in northern California who has a passion for making things from scratch and teaching others how to do the same. Matt earned his stripes in the woodshop as an editor at Fine Woodworking magazine where he edited articles, and produced and starred in how-to videos featured on FineWoodworking.com. There, he honed his skills building high-quality furniture the authentic way with hand tools, sturdy joinery and quality hardwoods. These days, Matt practices woodworking on nights and weekends building skateboard decks out of his garage workshop, aka SK8Makers HQ and through his series of DIY Skateboard Workshops at local schools and community centers. By day, he’s a content manager for a major Silicon Valley technology company, producing video, social media, and interactive content for the web.

Reviews

"I know Matt Berger from the woodworking world so I expected this book to be an excellent resource for the “how-to” of deck building. What I didn’t expect was the healthy dose of history and cultural perspective, leaving me much more informed and appreciative of the skateboard movement and the thought that goes into even the most modest skateboard design." - Marc Spagnuolo, aka "The Wood Whisperer"

“Like a canoe-building manual for dry land, Matt Berger’s elucidating treatise will elevate your skateboard shop skills from “ollie” to “goofy-foot kick-flip”, with panache. Build yourself a stylish vehicle that requires no fuel beyond bacon, vanquishing the traffic and the claustrophobia of conventional conveyance.” - Nick Offerman Actor, comedian, woodworker, and author of "Paddle Your Own Canoe"

"When my dad, brothers and I opened Val Surf in 1962, we had decided to include skateboards in our product offering thus making us the world's first legitimate skateboard shop. The skateboard has evolved so much since then, so it's great to see a new generation of skatemakers head back into the garage shop to build their own decks. A copy of The Handmade Skateboard would be a very helpful tool to guide them along." -- Mark “Wally” Richards, President and Co-Founder of Val Surf Boardshop and early skateboard pioneer