How to Make a Rink Rake

Backyard ice rinks have become a winter fixture in the northern United States and Canada. One of the tools that helps to create perfect backyard rink ice is the rink rake, an inexpensive water distribution device that spreads water evenly across the ice, creating a smooth surface. It is also known as a "homeboni" or backyard Zamboni. The concept is similar to that of the Zamboni that is found in indoor ice rinks: the machine floods the ice surface with warm water, creating pristine ice conditions. All the parts for a rink rake can be purchased at most home improvement stores.

Things You'll Need

  • 1 PVC 3/4-inch x 10-foot pipe
  • 1 PVC 3/4-inch adapter
  • 2 PVC 3/4-inch end caps
  • 1 PVC 3/4-inch tee
  • 1 PVC garden hose shutoff valve (optional)
  • PVC primer
  • PVC cement
  • Hacksaw
  • Power drill with drill bits
  • Cable ties
  • An old towel
  • Safety glasses
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Instructions

  1. Build The Rink Rake

    • 1

      Choose a large working area to lay out all of the components -- preferably a basement or garage floor. The area should have proper ventilation because the PVC cement you will be using to glue the rink rake together has strong fumes.

    • 2

      Cut the PVC pipe in half with a hacksaw so that you have two equal lengths of 5 feet each -- one for the part that will drag along the ice and one for the handle. Five feet is a comfortable size, but if you choose to make your rink rake larger, buy a longer piece of PVC pipe.

    • 3

      Fit the rink rake loosely together to get an idea what it will look like before you start gluing and drilling holes. Slide one of the PVC pipes through the PVC tee and fit the other PVC pipe into the tee to make a "T."

    • 4

      Drill holes along the top of the "T" 1 inch apart using your power drill with a 3/32-inch bit. You may find it helpful to use a marker to dot where you want to drill. Do not go all the way through the PVC pipe.

    • 5

      Read the directions on the cans of PVC primer and cement before you start gluing your rink rake together. Prime and cement the PVC end caps to the ends of the "T," the PVC tee where the two pipes meet and the PVC adapter to the end of the "T" where the garden hose will attach. Let the cement cure according to label directions.

    • 6

      Attach the PVC garden hose shutoff valve to the PVC adapter if you wish. Attach a garden hose to the PVC adapter or shutoff valve. Use cable ties to attach the towel to the bottom of the "T" that will drag along the ice.

    • 7

      Turn on the water. The water should flow through the holes and onto the towel. Drag your rink rake across the ice to create a smooth surface.