How to Build a Fun Box for Skateboarding
Here’s what you’ll need:
· 6 – 2″x4″x8′ Douglas fir or Hemlock
· 1 – 3/4″x4’x8′ sheet of plywood
· 2 – 2″x2″x6′ angle irons
· 1 lb. 2.5″ drywall screws
· 1 lb. 2″ drywall screws
· 30-50 16D nails
· 1 tube construction adhesive caulk, like Liquid Nails
· A caulking gun
· 25′ Tape measure
· Chalk snap line
· Power hand saw
· Hammer, a framing hammer works well
· Electric drill or screw gun
What to do:
Measure, mark, and cut:
· 4 – 2″x4″x70 1/2″ top and bottom of side walls
· 8 – 2″x4″x11 1/4″ wall studs / vertical frame supports
· 6 – 2″x4″x14 1/2″ connect side wall frames together
Measure, mark, and cut plywood sheet:
1 – 16″x72″ top of the box
2 – 15 3/4″x72″ sides
2 – 16″x16″ ends
Using nails, tack together:
2 – 70 1/2″ long 2×4 pieces with 2 – 11 1/4″ lengths 2×4 pieces between them on either end, and 2 spaced evenly through the middle. Think of making a ladder with top and bottom pieces.
Once the frame is tacked together, pre-drill three holes at each joint. Pre-drilling will make getting the screws in easier, as well as prevent the wood from splitting.
Make one more ladder-with-top-and-bottom-piece frames, first tacking with nails then pre-drilling. These are the frames for the sides. Stand them length wise on their 4″ edge so they roughly make the shape of the box.
Pre-drill 4 of the 14 1/2″ 2×4 pieces with three holes per end. Screw one 14 1/2″ length of 2×4 onto the inside top and bottom joints on either end of the box, connecting the two side frame pieces on top and bottom. This will provide the width of the box, so make sure they are even and straight. You should now have a basic rectangular box, with 2×4 supports in the top and bottom of the inside of the frame.
Attach the 16″x72″ piece of plywood to the top of the box with nails then caulking. Set the plywood down on the frame, position it while the caulk is still drying, and then screw the plywood to the frame with screws spaced evenly along the edge.
Attach one 15 3/4″x72″ side piece of plywood to one side of the frame, using the same technique as described above. Repeat this step for the opposite side of the box.
Next attach the 16″x16″ pieces of plywood to each end of the box using the same steps as you did for the sides. Now you have the final box shape.
Secure one piece of angle iron to each 72″ long edge of the top of the box with caulking. To secure the angle iron while the caulk is drying, add 3 to 5 nails under the iron. Bend the nails over as far as they will go so they are supporting and squeezing the angle iron in place. Repeat with the second piece of angle iron.
Allow the caulk to dry for several hours, preferably overnight. Once it has dried, pull the bent securing nails out of the box. Your box is now finished and ready to skate or decorate with paint, stickers or whatever you wish.
