How to Make a Hangboard

Hangboards are an invaluable piece of rock climbing equipment for the avid climber wanting to keep in shape. They're a useful means of maintaining upper body strength and conditioning the muscles and tendons of your forearms and hands so strain is less common when climbing. Given that they often carry a sizable price tag and only come in a fixed number of patterns, creating one yourself can be a cost effective and gratifying alternative to buying one.

Things You'll Need

  • Hardwood
  • Router
  • Router bits
  • Drill
  • Bolts or wood bolts
  • Adhesive
  • Sandpaper
  • Pen or pencil
  • Paper
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Instructions

    • 1

      Start by tracing the board you're working with onto a sheet of paper. Place hard lines anywhere you want an edge on the final product. Consider the depth of particular holds and where you're putting them. It's also important to consider how you're going to fix the hangboard when it's finished. Allow space for bolts or ropes to suspend it.

    • 2

      Transfer the pattern you've created onto the piece of wood. This can be accomplished in several different ways. If your pattern is simple, you may be able to easily replicate it with a ruler and pen, if it's more complicated you can also glue the pattern directly to the board with a light adhesive. This will require sanding later to remove the paper and glue entirely, however, it's the easiest way to transfer the concept onto the wood.

    • 3

      Route out the marked spaces on the wood using the appropriate router bit and plunging to a desired depth for the areas in question. Be sure to leave enough wood so that the final product isn't too flimsy in areas under stress. If you deviate from the pattern you've created, allow space for some means of hanging or fixing the board.

    • 4

      Sand the now routed board to eliminate any sharp or splintery edges and remove any unwanted grit. If you glued a pattern to the board, it may take some work to remove it. Drill out holes for bolts, wood bolts, or other means of suspending the board. You now have a functional hangboard.