Recycling Old Skateboards: 5 Creative DIY Projects and Ideas

Now, in fairness, I know most of us don't have some proper woodworking studio on hand like our friend @adrianmartinus (def check out his work). But again, items like simplified skateboard deck shelves, little benches, chairs or even small bookshelves are a great way to utilize those boards all the same.

Create Custom Photo Frames 

Similar to making proper household furniture, making DIY photo frames out of skateboard decks might take a little extra skill and technique. Don't let that stop you, though! Everyone starts somewhere, and honestly, sometimes, all the trial and error is the best part. 

But yeah, these frames below, for example, from artist (and former TWS alumni) Paul Kobriger are pretty much pieces of art in themselves. That said—look how rad they are! His process to make these is pretty impressive, to say the least, but let them inspire you to do something similar. Cut those planks into pieces, get some wood glue and let your imagination run wild. 

Oh, and you should definitely get some of Paul's art! Great gifts for the skater, musician or art-lover in your life... or hey, just treat yo' self! 

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Make Custom Jewelry or Ornaments

I see custom, handmade jewelry on social media all the time, and it's no surprise that the majority of these items are made from recycled skateboards. It might take some work, a little bit of thought and planning, and perhaps some prior experience... but the end result will always be worth it. And like I keep mentioning—trial and error, trial and error!

At the end of the day, we can all appreciate handmade gifts. Whether you're crafting rings, earrings, necklace emblems, holiday ornaments—the list goes on—it’s a perfect reason to start digging through that dusty stack of skateboards and get creative. 

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Rethink Practical Household Items

Now, when I said "skateboards," I didn't necessarily just mean the decks. While that's typically what most folks think of, don't neglect old trucks, wheels and bearings either! Think: key holders, towel racks, hat racks, toilet paper holders. Whatever! All of these are pretty simple to make and look super rad. 

But yeah, back to recycled decks. (Ha!) Everyone loves custom home decor, right? You can create mosaic art pieces like the ones below, for example. To add some originality, consider leaving parts of the old graphics visible or cutting the boards into larger chunks and different shapes. The world is yours! Again, it's all part of the process, and the process is half the fun. 

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Create Your Own DIY Fingerboards 

Tech Decks were a huge deal when I was growing up, and they certainly still are, but the wild world of fingerboarding has evolved almost as much as skateboarding itself! There are literal fingerboard brands out there—tons of them, actually—and folks have really taken these fun little toys to the next level. 

Gone are the days of plastic planks and fake griptape! Create your own wooden DIY fingerboards from the plies of your old skateboards for a truly unique mini complete. You can even use the other parts from a Tech Deck! But a wooden fingerboard is honestly pretty rad. Add the fact that you made it, and boom. It's a win-win. 

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Encouraging skaters to get creative with their old decks is certainly nothing new, but man, after doing a little research, it’s clear that things have evolved over the years. I mean, some folks have genuinely built proper businesses that stemmed from the use of recycled skateboard decks! So rad. 

Small or large, easy or difficult, it's all awesome, and it's a great way to get those creative juices flowing. 

Again, the holidays are here! Maybe you’ll look at that stack of old decks a little differently after reading this. Dust off the cobwebs and get creative! One person’s trash is another person’s treasure, after all.