Okay, here’s my blog post about the “keel Volleyball engineer board timber” project, written from my personal experience, keeping it casual and using simple language:
So, I had this crazy idea the other day. I wanted to build a… well, I’m not even sure what to call it. It’s kind of like a practice wall for volleyball, but also…art? I figured I’d use some timber, you know, for that rustic look, and engineer it to be strong, like a ship’s keel. Hence, “keel Volleyball engineer board timber.” I know, the name’s a work in progress.
The Brainstorming
First, I sketched out some rough ideas on a napkin. Yep, a napkin. I was at a diner, fueled by coffee and inspiration. I wanted something that could take a beating from volleyballs, but also look decent enough to not be an eyesore in my backyard.
Gathering the Materials
Next up, I got all material, that day was so hot!
I hit up the local lumber yard. I chose pressure-treated timber because, well, it’s going to be outside. I grabbed a bunch of 4x4s for the main frame and some wider planks for the hitting surface. I also got some heavy-duty screws, brackets, and some exterior wood stain.
Building the Frame
This is where the “engineer” part comes in. (Or at least, my version of it.) I started by building the frame. I measured and cut the 4x4s, making sure everything was level and square. This took some time, and I definitely messed up a few cuts. But hey, that’s part of the process, right?
I used the brackets and screws to join the pieces together, creating a sturdy, rectangular frame. I made sure to double-check the stability as I went. I didn’t want this thing collapsing on me the first time I spiked a ball at it.
Attaching the Hitting Surface
Once the frame was solid, I moved on to the hitting surface. I laid out the wider planks across the frame, spacing them evenly. I used more of those heavy-duty screws to secure them. This part was actually pretty satisfying, seeing it all come together.
- Cut the timber to size.
- Pre-drilled some holes.
- Screw it all together.
- Stand back and admire (briefly).
Finishing Touches
After the main structure was done, I gave the whole thing a good sanding to smooth out any rough edges. Then, I applied a couple of coats of that exterior wood stain. I went with a dark walnut color, because why not? It makes it look a little less like a construction project and a little more like…something intentional.
The Test Run (and some adjustments)
Finally, it was time for the moment of truth. I grabbed my volleyball and started practicing. The first few hits felt great! The board was solid, and the sound of the ball hitting the wood was super satisfying.
I did notice a few things I wanted to tweak. I added some extra bracing to the back of the frame to make it even more stable. And I might add some padding to the front later on, to reduce the noise a bit. I don’t want to annoy the neighbors too much.
Wrapping Up
So there you have it! My “keel Volleyball engineer board timber” project. It was a fun build, and it’s already getting a lot of use. It’s not perfect, but I’m pretty proud of how it turned out. And who knows, maybe I’ll even come up with a better name for it eventually!
