1. Skateboard Nuts & Bolts: General Info
Bolt packs, hardware, shorties or simply nuts and bolts, connect the skateboard deck to the trucks, and are thus a very crucial part of your skateboard setup. Here, you can learn about the different kinds of bolt packs and how to find the right bolt length.
But do they really have to be skateboard nuts and bolts?
You really shouldn’t use the nuts and bolts from your parents’s toolbox to assemble your board. The hardware in skateboard bolt packs is specifically made to fit perfectly in the holes in your deck as well as into your trucks.
Additionally, these mounting kits include self-locking nuts, which largely prevent them from loosening due to strong vibrations or tension. Nevertheless, after your first couple of rounds, you should check to make sure your nuts are still tight. It’s possible that they’ll have to be tightened again. After that, however, everything should remain snug and secure.
2. What types of bolts are there in skateboarding?
You can find bolt packs in different lengths and shapes. The type of bolts you ultimately want to use, is simply a matter of taste. In recent years, Allen (or socket) bolts have gained popularity over Phillips head for aesthetic reasons.
The best way to tighten nuts and bolts is by using a skate tool. Skate tools contain both Phillips and Allen, and also have the matching Allen key for the mounting nuts, kingpin nuts, and the axle nuts.
Phillips Bolts:
Phillips bolts have a head with a cross-shaped socket. You can easily tighten these with a suitable Phillips screwdriver or the Phillips attachment of a skate tool.
Allen Bolts:
Allen bolts have a head with a special 6-sided, hexagonal socket. Allen keys can be found in any skate tool and come with most Allen-bolt packs.
Countersunk vs. Raised Head Bolts
When browsing through our skate shop you’ll find both countersunk and raised head bolts. Don’t panic though! To skate, you only need countersunk bolts. This type of bolt is set in the deck to form a smooth surface that won’t interfere with your skating. Raised head bolts are especially suited for drop-through longboards and special materials in longboard construction.
• Remember: For skateboarding always stick to countersunk bolts!
3. How to get the right length for your skateboard setup!
Selecting the right bolt length is fairly simple. If you skate without shock or riser pads, you will only ever need 7/8” – 1” bolts.
If you use standard shock pads, with a height of 1/8”, you’ll need 1” – 1 1/8” long bolts. The higher your shock pads, the longer your bolts need to be, of course.
Setup | Bolt Length |
---|---|
without Shock Pads | 7/8“ – 1“ Bolts |
1/8“ Shock Pads | 1“ – 1 1/8“ Bolts |
1/4“ Riser Pads | 1 1/4″ Bolts |
1/2“ Riser Pads | 1 1/2″ Bolts |
Helpful Hint #1: If you’re looking for hardware for your longboard, check out our page on Longboards.
Helpful Hint #2: All of the bolt packs you’ll find in our shop will fit in your deck and work with your trucks. You can use the filter options to easily search for the right bolt type and length.
Skateboard Bolt Packs in the skatedeluxe Skate Shop Want to learn more? Check out the skatedeluxe Skateboard Wiki