How to build a balance board

DirtBlogger · Post by **DirtBlogger** » Sun Nov 15, 2009 2:01 pm

Balance board training can help your build your core strength and stability, help increase the range of motion in your lower extremities, as well as improve your posture, all of which are good things of course and can help make you a better mountainboarder.

There are many great options out there as far as commercial balance boards are concerned, but most are either over prices or poorly made. If you are on a budget or are just a do it yourself kind of guy then follow the steps below to build your own Voodoo balance board.

How to Build a Balance Board

By Kathy Westergaard originally posted on Xshelton.com[size=-1](Mar 2003)[/size]

Necessary supplies:

Plywood sheet: 1/2" or 5/8" thick. Approx 20" X 30" for the board plus 2 2" X 20" strips for the bumpers
Pipe: 4-6" diameter, approx. 18" length
Friction tape: 2" wide, 4-6'
Wood glue

Optional supplies:

Wood stain or paint
Polyurethane
Non-skid additive
2 Pipe end covers
Sand

Suggested tools:

Measuring tape
Newspaper, pencil, tape, scissors
Saber saw/Jigsaw or router
Sander or sandpaper
Hacksaw

Clamps
Carpenter square
Paint brush
Razor blade

Making the Board

Note: click on any photo to enlarge

Step 1: Create the balance board pattern
Take a piece of newspaper or butcher paper and cut it to 30" X 20". Fold the paper into fourths. Along the outside edge (not the folded edge) draw a curve then cut along this curve. Unfold the paper and you should have a fairly even oval pattern.

Step 2: Trace and cut the plywood
Tape your paper pattern to the plywood then trace the pattern in pencil on the wood. Using a jigsaw or whatever woodworking tools you have available (we used a router), cut the plywood into the shape of the pattern. If necessary sand the edges of the plywood until smooth.

Step 3: Add bumpers
Cut two strips of plywood, 2" X 20". Using wood glue, glue the strips flush with the two ends of the board and parallel to one another. I used a measuring tape and carpenter square to make it as even as possible. Clamp the two strips down and let dry for several hours or overnight. Once dried, cut the excess wood off so the bumpers match the shape of the board (a router works best for this.) Finally, sand down the edge of the two boards so it's one smooth edge. If you're going to stain the deck you should also lightly sand the deck with fine sandpaper to prepare it.

DirtBlogger · Post by **DirtBlogger** » Sun Nov 15, 2009 2:01 pm

Step 4: Make the roller
Using a hacksaw, cut the pipe to 18" length. Attach three strips of friction tape to the pipe—one in the center and one on either side a couple inches in from the ends. I measured the desired location and put down a strip of masking tape as a guide to make sure the friction tape was applied straight. Use a razor blade or sturdy scissors to cut the tape to size.

Optional: If you want to slow down the action of the board you can do so by pouring a few cups of dry sand inside the pipe then putting on the pipe ends to seal it up.

Step 5 (Optional): Add textured finish to the deck
You can either leave the board unfinished or add sealant and texture to the deck. The texture will help you to keep from slipping. You can stain or paint the deck before you seal it. I stained mine blue.

Pour some polyurethane into a jar or plastic cup and mix in a small amount of the non-skid additive. Brush the mixture evenly over the deck of the balance board. Allow to dry for several hours (follow directions on can.)

Finished Product

http://www.xshelton.com/balance_board/images/30.jpg

Ian@KentATB · Post by **Ian@KentATB** » Sun Nov 15, 2009 6:02 pm

There is a video on youtube of sombody using a 2 litre coke bottle on a old skate deck. Seems to work

Ian@KentATB · Post by **Ian@KentATB** » Sun Nov 15, 2009 6:03 pm

Lord Banks · Post by **Lord Banks** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 2:23 pm

I made one with the coke bottle method and me old core 1 deck, works fine.

Jasper · Post by **Jasper** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 2:34 pm

with the coke bottle did u use sand or water? im assuming sand, but im thinking of makng one and i think water would just pop?

Post by **Jhammo52** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 2:44 pm

Any solid cylyndrical object should suffice, though if your gonna use a bottle of water, at least do it outdoors!

Jasper · Post by **Jasper** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 2:52 pm

thats what i thought, sand then? and maybe cover it in duct tape ?

Post by **Jhammo52** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 2:56 pm

duck tape would work! Just make sure its a screw cap and things should stay dry (:

Jasper · Post by **Jasper** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:06 pm

hmm i think sand would still be safer, il use sand and grip tape when i get round to it

should hopefully help with my manuals on all forms of boards

Ian@KentATB · Post by **Ian@KentATB** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:30 pm

I have a scrub balance board. I got it for strengthening my knee whilst rehabilitating a injury. Served its purpose , now just sits in my shoe cupboard .

Jasper · Post by **Jasper** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:46 pm

yeah i can imagine, seems to make more sense to make your own or even do it really make shift like i will be doing

Ian@KentATB · Post by **Ian@KentATB** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 4:37 pm

Ian@KentATB · Post by **Ian@KentATB** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 4:38 pm

Ian@KentATB · Post by **Ian@KentATB** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 4:40 pm

etchy6 · Post by **etchy6** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 4:43 pm

I might build one at some point... does the deck have to be totally flat or can u use a mountainboard eck?

BgSurfer · Post by **BgSurfer** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 6:59 pm

A flat board works better.

In the Dark Ages they were called Bongo Boards.

GoofyMark · Post by **GoofyMark** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 11:07 pm

Inspiring stuff!

I have an old scrub deck, (which is being kept for my daughter of 17 months), so i stripped it down, and tried some really thick cardboard tube, but it just squashed under my weight, then i used some threaded rod to bolt the rims together, applied a bit of gaffer tape, and hey presto!

I'm now thinking of adding some runners to the bottom ,and end stops right on the tips, so the rims can run to where the wheels would be on a mountain board, then bolt the bindings back on and I should be able to do nose manuals on it.

Warg · Post by **Warg** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 2:27 am

I know this is a bit of a necropost, but I'm thinking of making a balance board using an old skateboard I found in the shed and I have a few questions.

Do I need bumpers?
Can I use the existing trucks as bumpers or are they in completely the wrong spot?
What is the most suitable type of pipe?

pd2h · Post by **pd2h** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 3:54 am

I used an old scrub deck and a piece of twinwall pipe, had been going for a couple of years but the pipe has deformed now so is more of an oval shape!! Just need a new bit of pipe and its sorted!!

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