How to Make a Pole Jam for Skateboarding

A pole jam is an obstacle commonly found in skateparks, designed for practicing grinds and slides. It consists of a sloping pole, that rises from the ground at around a 45 degree angle. It can be cemented into the ground or free standing. It has a couple of benefits over a standard flat rail. Approaching from the low side prevents you from having to ollie too high to mount it. Sliding down the slope is a good way to practice sliding hand rails without taking to the stairs.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 6-foot lengths of 1 inch diameter steel pole
  • Angle grinder
  • Scrap wood block
  • Safety cape, goggles, gloves and welding mask
  • Wire-feed welder
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Instructions

    • 1

      Put on the leather welding cape and gloves with some form of eye protection. Clear a space, preferably outdoors, and away from any combustible material. The grinder and the welder create a lot of heat and sparks, which can be a fire hazard. Measure to the middle of one of the 6-foot lengths of pole and mark it. Place the marked section onto the piece of scrap wood and hold it in position. Use a sandbag or clamp, or have a friend hold the far end of the pole down. Ensure your assistant is also wearing hand and eye protection.

    • 2

      Use the angle grinder to cut through the pole at its midpoint. The piece of scrap wood underneath will prevent you from cutting into the ground or work surface as you do so. This will leave you with two 3-foot pieces. Bring the long pole length to your work station and lay it down. Place one of the 3-foot lengths beside it at one end, forming an "L" shape. It's a good idea to move the short piece along the long piece slightly, so that there will be a 3 inch to 4 inch overhang from the end.

    • 3

      Use the 90 degree corner of a set square to mark both ends of the short piece into points, with both sides angled in at 45 degrees. Use the angle grinder to cut off the triangular pieces at the ends of the short pipe. Mark the same shape on the side of the long pole, about 4 inches from the end and cut out a triangular notch that corresponds to the pointed ends of the short piece.

    • 4

      Take the remaining 3-foot piece of pipe, and mark a cutout notch at its halfway point, identical to the one you made in the long pipe. Use the angle grinder to cut this out, just as you did with the long pipe. You should now have the following three pieces; a 6-foot long pole with a equilateral triangle notch cut out of the side, 4 inches from the end, a 3-foot length of pipe with an identical notch in its center, and a 3-foot length with pointed equilateral triangles and both ends.

    • 5

      Switch your cutting goggles for your welding mask and power up the wire-feed welder. If you've never welded before, it's strongly recommended you someone experienced do this for you. Wire-feed welders are designed to be easy to use tools for hobbyists, but they still get incredibly hot and can cause serious injury to inexperienced users.

    • 6

      Rotate the 6-foot length of pipe on the floor so the notch is facing upward. Place one of the pointed ends into the cutout notch and carefully move the welding torch around the seam. Allow it to cool thoroughly and check it for strength by forcibly wiggling it. It shouldn't move. Place the other short piece on top of the first one, forming a T-shape. Weld this in place exactly the same way and allow to cool. Once everything is firmly secured and cooled down, Your pole jam is ready to skate on.