So, you’ve heard about 3D printing everything from shoes to car parts, and now someone’s suggesting 3D printing skateboard parts? 🤔Honestly, when I first heard about this, I couldn’t help but smirk. I mean, can a printed piece of plastic really stand up to the beating we give our boards?
In this post, we’re gonna dissect this idea from deck to wheels. We’ll look at what’s possible, what’s laughable, and whether 3D printing has any real place in skateboarding.
A video titled ‘3D PRINTED SKATEBOARD TRUCKS OFF ETSY!‘ from the Braille Skateboarding YouTube channel.
Key takeaways
- 3D printing skateboard parts is possible, but strength and durability often fall short compared to traditional materials.
- Even with carbon fiber–reinforced filaments, critical components like trucks struggle to handle real-world impacts.
- Wheels and bearings demand precise tolerances and specialized materials that home 3D printing can’t replicate well.
- For now, 3D printing is best for non-critical accessories, while metal and wood remain the safest bets for serious skating.
The feasibility of 3D printing skateboard parts
Alright, let’s get into it. 3D printing has come a long way, no doubt about it. People are printing prosthetic limbs, art pieces, even components for rockets. But when it comes to skateboarding, we’re talking about an entirely different beast. The abuse we put our gear through is no joke.

Decks: Can a printed deck hold up?
First off, the deck—the heart and soul of your board. Traditional decks are made of multiple layers of maple wood, offering that perfect blend of flexibility and strength [6]. Now, imagine replacing that with layers of plastic filament. Sounds sketchy, right?
But isn’t there high-strength materials we can use? Sure, materials like NylonX or Onyx reinforced with carbon fiber exist, and they’re touted for their strength. Yet, even the strongest printed plastics can’t replicate the feel and durability of a wooden deck.
Would you trust a plastic deck when dropping in on a half-pipe? I certainly wouldn’t.
Trucks: the backbone or a breakdown waiting to happen?
Next up, the trucks. These bad boys bear the brunt of your weight and the impact of every ollie, grind, and occasional bail. Some people have 3D printed trucks using materials like Onyx reinforced with carbon fiber, even adding steel axle inserts for strength [5]. Sounds impressive on paper, but in the real world? I gotta say, I’m skeptical.
Metal trucks have a proven track record—they’re durable, reliable, and can take a beating [7].
A printed truck might hold up for a casual cruise, but the moment you hit the park and start shredding, I bet they’d crumble faster than a cookie dunked in hot coffee.
Wheels and bearings: roll with caution
As for wheels and bearings, 3D printing seems even less practical. Wheels need to be perfectly round, balanced, and made of high-quality urethane to handle slides and wear. Printing wheels? Good luck achieving the necessary hardness and rebound.
Bearings are precision metal components with tiny tolerances. There’s no way a 3D printer’s gonna replicate that, unless you’ve got access to some futuristic tech Tony Stark’s been hiding [8].
Bones REDS Skateboard Bearings
- High-speed
- Pre-lubricated
- Inexpensive
I may earn a commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
The material dilemma
Let’s talk materials. The choice of material is crucial when it comes to 3D printing functional parts. Skateboarding isn’t kind to materials—decks snap, trucks grind down, and wheels wear out.
Most 3D printers use thermoplastic filaments like PLA or ABS. They’re great for prototypes or models, but they’re too brittle for skating. Even advanced filaments like NylonX have limitations.
But can’t we use stronger materials? Even the toughest 3D printed plastics don’t match metal’s strength and durability.
Materials like Onyx reinforced with carbon fiber offer improved strength [5]. But again, they’re still plastics at the end of the day. They might survive a few sessions, but long-term reliability? I wouldn’t count on it.
Accuracy, precision, and reality checks
Skateboard parts need tight tolerances. Loose trucks are one thing, but misaligned components can be downright dangerous.
Tolerances matter
High-end printers can achieve tolerances of ± 100 µm (0.1 mm) [4]. Sounds good, but in practice, small errors can lead to big problems. Imagine a truck that’s slightly off—you’re setting yourself up for a nasty fall.
So, is any part worth printing?
Now, to be fair, there are some components where 3D printing might make sense, like custom grip tape stencils [9], riser pads, or even bushings if you’re feeling adventurous [3]. For electric skateboards, printing motor mounts and gears has shown some promise [1]. But for the core parts that take serious stress? I’m not buying it.
Final thoughts
3D printing skateboarding parts is more of a novelty than a viable option. While it’s a cool idea and has potential for certain applications, it’s not ready to replace traditional manufacturing for the core components we rely on. So just cough up the cash and get some proven parts.
So, can you 3D print skateboarding parts? Technically, yes. But should you? That’s a whole other story.
Sources and references
- Instructables – DIY 3D Printed Electric Skateboard
- NIJ – The Next Generation of Crime Tools and Challenges: 3D Printing
- MatterHackers – Create Functional, 3D Printed Skateboard Parts with NylonX
- Formlabs – Guide to 3D Printing Tolerances, Accuracy, and Precision
- Markforged – Project Build: 3D Printed Skateboard Truck
- How Are Skateboards Made?
- Skateboard Truck Maintenance
- Skateboard Bearings Buyer’s Guide