benr12

I'm building a box and a rail in my backyard, and i need some advice on supplies. For the rail, i'm planning on going with a double barrel made out of PVC pipe since it's cheaper and easier to build with than metal. Will this work or is it a waste? Also, any advice on what to use for supports. I've got a very limited budget, so free stuff is best.

Phenom

Here's an idea for one seeking free materials:

Go to a local establishment, this includes a nearby library, hospital, senior citizens' center, etc. (any public venue basically) and find a nice rail, bonus points for finding a kink rail. Take a hacksaw to the base of the supports and then just strap that baby to the roof of your car. Remember to hang a red flag from the rail while transporting it or else a cop will pull you over (you need that red flag, it's the law).

Easy, and free.

__________________
East Coast Park Rat
2008 Burton Twin 157 w/ Rome 390 Boss
2005 Burton Canyon 168 w/ Ride LS
"its ppl like you, that I would "impact damage" your face if i ever saw you
keep your mouth shut. one more time, please and thank you." -user: chingy_

Mr. Right

Haha, that's hilarious, so you better not forget the red flag to not get pulled over for transport, but stealing a handrail is ok
Not knocking you, I just think thats funnier than shit.

Oh yeah, and fuck the hacksaw, get a cordless sawzall to fly through it. You could probably get a handrail removed in less than 10 minutes with one. On a side note I wouldn't reccomend using pvc because it will more than likely crumble under the weight of a human being, especially with the force you on a snowboard could throw at it.

I'd use wood if you don't know how to weld but if you came to me (I'm a welder) I could probably whip something up for you out of square metal tubing for around $100 and it would maybe take me all of 1 hour or so. Then you just need to skin it with whatever they put on those boxes to make them slick.

Check local welding shops and give them a rough drawing, you'd be suprised how quickly and inexpensively something like that could be built.

benr12

My school has a fabrication shop with various welding and metalworking supplies, so if anyone could help me with how you would weld a rail together (ARC maybe?), i could get permission to build it as a side project and get my supplies from a scrapyard.

Mr. Right

If you don't know how to weld I wouldn't reccomend a snowboard box or anything structural for your first project. See if the shop teacher can help you. Welding isn't exactly the type of thing you just pick up and do first try. You will be arc welding though, whether it is Mig, Flux, Stick etc. to answer your question. You will be welding on mild steel. Mig or Flux core would be your best bet because it is the easiest to learn.

Gnar_DUDE

well PVC works somewhat and its cheap but the best solution i have found for making PVC stronger is getting 3-5 sizes that all fit inside each other snugly and then you have an (almost) solid pipe, use some PVC cement and you are good.

SUPERGILDO

I would just fill it with quickcrete if I went that route

FilmerD

Old Cutting boards will work well for the box, as long as the gaps between the boards are small.

With the rail, I like the PVC pipe idea.

snowsam17

me and a couple friends built a few boxes this summer using wood frames. we did use small metal rails for the coping, but they were easy enough to drill through with a powerdrill. also, we ordered polyethylene online for the top. it was a bit pricy but worth it, the stuff is slippery as fuck.

we did all of this with almost zero experience and ended up with a couple of solid boxes. it didnt take long either.

sorry i have no rail-building experience but i can give u more info on how to make these boxes if u want.

Mr. Right

Where did you order the polythylene?? I've been trying to get ahold of some because I am in the process of building a little flatrail at work, I just don't have anything to skin it with.

__________________
When the fuck did we get ice cream?