How to Build a Homemade Climbing Wall Cheaply

A climbing wall consists of angled plywood sheeting, or other hard wall materials, with predetermined foot and hand holds bolted to their surfaces. In addition, there are top-rope sections installed with bolts, pulleys and ropes. All of these items add up as the costs are not cheap. To save money when constructing a homemade climbing wall, try some tested ideas and tips. Concentrate on finding high-quality but gently used items to defray costs on the wall project.

Things You'll Need

  • Power drill
  • Power saw
  • Metal file
  • Foot and hand holds
  • Super epoxy
  • Measuring tape and pencil
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Instructions

  1. Gathering Cheap Materials

    • 1

      Contact climbing gyms and ask if they have used foot and hand holds. Many climbing gyms routinely move and change the routes and holds, giving you a chance to find used holds for cheap prices. Check on used pulleys or top-rope systems. Do not attempt to buy used ropes, as you do not know the history of the ropes and they may be dangerous.

    • 2

      Wait until home hardware or supply stores have sales on plywood sheets and crossbeam timber supports. If you have a good relationship with a local hardware and timber store, give them a list of your needs and ask them to contact you if they have sales.

    • 3

      Salvage timbers from old buildings if you have old barns or outbuildings on your property. Get creative, look for rafters and old barn timbers as they tend to be stout and make good crossbeams and supports for a climbing wall.

    Wall Assembly

    • 4

      Measure out the location where the wall will be installed. Cut the plywood down to the appropriate size. Attach the plywood sheets together using the crossbeams and support timbers. Lay the plywood sheets flat, then set the crossbeams across the seams where the sheeting connects. Place the support timber across the seam and bolt it to the plywood, making a full wall with the crossbeam.

    • 5

      Flip over the assembled wall and file down any screw or bolt tips sticking out on the wall as a safety precaution. If needed, turn it back over and add a perpendicular support beam to supplement and strengthen the wall. Create a "cross" with the support beams on the back of the climbing wall.

    • 6

      Bolt the plywood wall to a garage wall or a strong and supportive interior wall.

    • 7

      Plan out your climbing routes and begin to go through the foot and hand holds, selecting the pieces that are concurrent with the proposed routes. For example, if you plan to make a 5.8 -- a moderately difficult climbing route -- on one section of the wall, select easier foot and hand holds.

    • 8

      Apply glue to the back of the holds, then bolt them into the proper location on the wall. Mark the locations with pencil prior to gluing and bolting, as a visual reminder for where you want them.

    • 9

      Run your top-rope setups off of roof rafters or support beams. Again, do not use previously used ropes. They may have a history of falls and whips, rendering them dangerous for your climbing wall.