How to Make a Butter Box Rail

Butter box rails are long-time staples of skate parks where both skateboarders and snowboarders go for fun, practice and neighborhood competitions. Essentially, they are slightly inclined ramps where skaters can practice various moves on their boards without fear of serious injury. Some skaters and snowboard enthusiasts build their own butter box rails in their backyards. You can make them out of almost anything, and get creative with designs and features.

Things You'll Need

  • Hammer
  • Nails
  • Saw
  • Screwdriver
  • Wooden pallets
  • Plywood
  • Scrap lumber boards
  • Paint
  • Paintbrush
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Instructions

    • 1

      Line up three or four wooden pallets end-to-end, and nail them together to make a run whatever length you choose. Make them the same depth by adding strips of plywood or scrap 1-by-3 boards to the underside, to keep the entire project level.

    • 2

      Attach additional boards to the underside to raise the rail higher -- giving it some height to get it above ground level. Use either roof or floor joists, attached lengthwise on edge to either side of the pallet structure. These are heavy pieces of wood and will add stability.

    • 3

      Turn the structure over and add features like a ramp for beginners or steps to one or both ends of the board. Build a ramp by adding another pallet to one end of your rail. Nail it in place at an angle to make it secure. If it bounces, brace the underside with wooden blocks or additional pieces of floor joist to stabilize it.

    • 4

      Cover the top of the entire structure with 6-inch-wide pieces of board or plywood, to create a smooth surface. Nail the boards close together -- leaving no spaces that might catch fingers, if you fall.

    • 5

      Paint the wood whatever color you like with an exterior latex or oil-based paint. This adds durability and seals the surface, reducing the risk of splinters from the unfinished wood.