How to Build Your Own Professional Fingerboard Setup

Fingerboarding isn’t just a hobby anymore. For many people, it’s a real passion, a creative outlet, and even a serious skill. If you’ve ever watched someone land clean tricks on a tiny board and thought, “I want to do that,” then building your own professional fingerboard setup is the perfect place to start.

The good news? You don’t need to be an expert or spend a fortune. With the right parts and a bit of guidance, you can create a setup that feels smooth, performs well, and actually helps you improve.

Let’s break it down step by step.

What Makes a Fingerboard “Professional”?

A professional fingerboard isn’t just about looks. It’s about performance. The difference between a toy fingerboard and a pro setup is huge. A professional setup uses higher-quality materials, realistic sizes, and better hardware. This gives you more control, better pop, and smoother tricks.

A proper professional fingerboard setup usually includes:

• A quality wooden deck
• Metal trucks
• Bearing wheels
• Good grip tape
• Proper screws and bushings

Each part plays a role in how your board feels and performs.

Choosing the Right Fingerboard Deck

The deck is the heart of your setup. Most professional fingerboard decks are made from real wood, usually with 5-ply or 7-ply construction, just like real skateboards.

When choosing a deck, pay attention to:

Size:

Common sizes are 32mm, 34mm, and 36mm.

• 32mm: Good for smaller fingers
• 34mm: The most popular and balanced option
• 36mm: Great for people who like more control and wider tricks

Shape and Concave:

Concave is the curve of the board. A medium to high concave gives better control for flip tricks. If you want your professional fingerboard to feel responsive, don’t ignore this detail.

Graphics:

This part is all about style. Anime graphics, clean logos, or custom art—pick what matches your personality. A setup feels more special when it looks like your board.

Trucks: Where Control Comes From

Trucks are the metal parts that attach to the deck and hold your wheels. Cheap plastic trucks wobble and feel unstable. Professional fingerboard trucks are made of metal and offer much better balance.

Good trucks give you:

• Smoother grinds
• Better turning
• More stability
• A realistic skateboard feel

You’ll also notice that pro trucks come with bushings. These tiny rubber parts control how tight or loose your trucks feel. Softer bushings are great for smoother turns, while harder bushings offer more stability for technical tricks.

Wheels: Small Part, Big Difference

Wheels might be tiny, but they make a huge difference. Most professional fingerboard wheels come with bearings, just like real skateboard wheels. This allows them to spin smoothly and roll longer.

When choosing wheels, consider:

Material:

Urethane wheels are the top choice. They feel smooth, grip well, and last longer than plastic wheels.

Shape:

Some wheels are more rounded, others are more flat. Rounded wheels are great for street-style tricks, while wider wheels can offer more control on ramps.

Sound and Feel:

Believe it or not, good wheels even sound better. That smooth rolling sound is one of the most satisfying parts of using a professional fingerboard.

Grip Tape: Comfort and Control

Grip tape is what keeps your fingers connected to the board. Without good grip, tricks become frustrating fast.

Foam grip tape is the most popular choice for professional fingerboards because:

• It’s comfortable on your fingers
• It provides excellent control
• It lasts longer than regular sandpaper grip

Make sure you apply it carefully. Press it down firmly and trim the edges neatly. A clean grip job makes your setup look and feel more professional.

Assembling Your Setup

Once you have all the parts, it’s time to put everything together. This is honestly one of the most enjoyable parts of building your own professional fingerboard.

Here’s the basic process:

1. Apply the grip tape to your deck
2. Poke holes through the grip for the screws
3. Attach the trucks using the tiny screws and tool
4. Slide the wheels onto the truck axles
5. Adjust the tightness of the trucks

Don’t rush this step. Take your time and enjoy it. Building your own setup makes you feel more connected to your board.

Finding Your Perfect Feel

Every fingerboarder has a different preference. Some like tight trucks for precision. Others like loose trucks for flow and style. The beauty of building your own professional fingerboard setup is that you can customize everything.

Try experimenting with:

• Truck tightness
• Different wheel types
• Deck sizes
• Bushing softness

Over time, you’ll naturally discover what feels best for your style of riding.

Why Building Your Own Setup Is Better Than Buying Cheap Completes

Many beginners start with cheap plastic fingerboards, and that’s fine at first. But if you’re serious about progressing, upgrading to a professional fingerboard setup changes everything.

With a pro setup, you’ll notice:

• Tricks become easier to control
• Your consistency improves
• Your sessions feel more enjoyable
• You stay motivated longer

It’s not about being fancy. It’s about having tools that support your growth instead of holding you back.

Taking Care of Your Professional Fingerboard

Once you’ve built your setup, take care of it. A little maintenance goes a long way.

Simple tips:

• Keep it clean
• Avoid water (wood decks can warp)
• Don’t overtighten screws
• Store it safely when not in use

Treat it like a real skateboard, just smaller.

Final Thoughts

Building your own professional fingerboard setup is more than just assembling parts. It’s about creating something personal, something that reflects your style and supports your progression. Whether you’re learning your first ollie or working on advanced combos, a quality setup makes the journey smoother and more enjoyable.

The best part? You don’t need to be perfect. Fingerboarding is about creativity, patience, and having fun. Start simple, build your setup with care, and enjoy every trick along the way.