How to Build a Skateboard Box

Learning to perform tricks on a skateboard can be difficult, particularly in areas where there are strict rules against performing skateboarding tricks in public areas. One way to practice grinding without the risk of damaging public property is to construct your own homemade skateboarding grind box out of plywood. Grind boxes allow skaters to place a grinding rail in a location to practice skating, and as they are lightweight, this allows the skaters to pick up and move the box when they are done skating.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 wood beams, 8 feet long, 12 inches wide, 2 inches thick
  • Power drill
  • Screwdriver bit
  • Screws
  • 10 Metal L-brackets, 4 inches long
  • 9 Wood 2 by 4's, 12 inches long
  • Saw
  • Tape measure
  • Wood plank, 8 feet long, 12 inches wide, 1 inch thick
  • 2 pieces of PCV piping, 2 inch diameter, 8 feet long
  • Drill bits
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Instructions

    • 1

      Attach five L-brackets to each of the 8-foot long beams, using screws and the power drill with a screwdriver attachment. One bracket goes at each end of a plank, with the remaining two brackets spaced evenly down the length of the beam, with one bracket every 2 feet. The second arm of the L's should be running parallel to the top of the beam they are attached to.

    • 2

      Connect the two beams, which will be the sides of your box, using the 2 by 4's. Screw two two screws into each 2 by 4 through each side of the box. Five 2 by 4's go along the bottom (the edge without the L-braces) of the sides, with a 2 by 4 at each end, and three more spaced evenly along the bottom edge. These 2 by 4's will align directly below the braces. Attach the remaining four 2 by 4's along the top edge of the side beams, with a 2 by 4 positioned 1 foot from each end of the box, and a 2 by 4 positioned 3 feet from each end of the box. The 2 by 4's provide extra stability for your box.

    • 3

      Mount the 8-foot long plank atop the L-braces using screws and the power screwdriver. The plank will not align flush with the outer faces of the side beams.

    • 4

      Drill a series of holes into the pieces of PVC piping with a bit larger than the body of the screws being used, but smaller than the heads of the screws. Drill the first hole 4 inches from one end of a piece of piping, then drill an additional hole every 8 inches, and repeat for the second piece of piping. The holes drilled should pass clean through the pipe, meaning each drilling will make two holes.

    • 5

      Attach a bit that is larger than the head of the screws you are using, and drill through the top set of holes on each pipe. You will be left with a series of small holes on one side of the PVC pipe, and a larger set of holes aligned directly over the first set.

    • 6

      Screw one piece of piping to the top of each side beam. To attach a screw, pass the screw through the larger hole in the piping, then through the smaller hole aligned directly beneath it. The larger hole will allow you access to get the screw into the body of the pipe, while the smaller hole will prevent the head of the screw from passing through the pipe entirely, securing the pipe in place.

    • 7

      Construct additional 8-foot boxes to increase the length you can grind. By building your box in 8-foot sections, it will make storing the box and transporting the box much easier than building one long rail.