Balance boards like the one above are great for working on your overall balance while off the snow, but they’re also kind of pricy for what is basically a few pieces of wood and a roller.
To solve this, one of our readers decided to make his own balance board. I thought it was a neat project, so I’m going to repost the instructions and pictures he sent me in case any of you guys want to build your own balance boards.
This does require some basic knowledge of how to use power tools like drills and cutters, so it’s not a project for everyone.
Here’s some alternatives for the non-power tool using readers of Snomie:
- 2 liter coke bottle filled with water + skateboard deck (very simple and cheap budget alternative to buying an Indo board)
- Buy the original Indo Board (indoboard.com) (easy, no work required, but pricy)
Alright, so for the rest of my readers who like DIY projects and know how to use power tools (or can bribe a knowledgable friend to help them), here’s how to build your own balance board.
The homemade balance board:
Disclaimer – As with building anything and handling tools/power tools, please make sure you’re careful and know what you’re doing. If you are under 18, don’t try this without help from your parents.
Don’t even think about using power tools if you don’t know how to safely use them.
Obviously I take no responsibility if you injure yourself building or using this balance board, so please build and use with care.
What you need:
- 1 plywood board: 76cm x 46cm x 18mm
- 2 plywood bumpers: 46cm x 6cm x 18mm (which are first attached to the board, then cut out with the same pattern)
- 1 PVC pipe: 16cm diameter x 3mm thickness x 120cm length
- 6 screws 30mm
- 3 strips of duct tape to put around each PVC pipe (for grip)
- 1 layer of varnish for the finishing touch
- 2 rubber stops (to stop ends of balance board loudly hitting against ground)
How to build the balance board plank:
Cut out the board, then the 2 bumpers.
Draw half a circle on both ends and on both sides of the board with a radius of 23cm.
Attach the 2 bumpers to the nose and tail with 3 screws while making sure the screws form a triangle and that they are located at least 1-2cm from the sides.
Drill a countersink for every hole so the head of the screw is flush with the surface.
Cut out the arcs on both ends of the board with a jigsaw.
Detach the 2 bumpers and round off the edges of every piece of plywood.
Brush off every piece of wood and apply 1 layer of varnish. After applying the layer of varnish you can let it soak in, and then remove excess varnish with a cloth so the end result has a more coarse surface.
Reattach the 2 bumpers to the board.
Attach 2 rubber anti-skid patches on the bottom of each bumpers with a distance of 10cm in between them and close to the edge. This way the board makes less noise when it hits the ground and it makes it easier to initiate the balancing.
Put a nail through the center of each patch so it will never detach from the bumper.
Alright, that’s the balance plank done. Now to build the roller.
How to build the circular roller:
Cut the PVC pipe to a length of 60cm and round off the edges.
Apply 3 strips of duct tape around the pipe for grip.
Cut a second piece of PVC pipe (length of 60cm or just a leftover piece).
Draw a straight line over the length of the pipe and use a jigsaw to cut the pipe open and make it smaller so it can fit inside the first pvc pipe.
Insert the second pipe in the first pipe, hold it against the inside of the first pipe and mark the overlay on the second pipe.
The reason for adding the second pvc pipe to the inside is to add strength and help keep the roller keep it’s shape.
Draw a straight line from the mark and cut off the piece of excess material lengthwise.
The second pipe should fit nicely inside the first pipe. Attach 3-5 strips of duct tape around the second pipe to hold it together and give a better fit inside the first pipe.
Insert the second pipe back into the first pipe.
You’re Done! Put both pieces together and you have yourself a homemade balancing board.
A quick warning on using your new balance board:
Don’t use the balance board on slippery surface! Use it on a surface that provides enough grip combined with the duct tape. You can use a piece of vinyl or anti slip rug (1m x 2m) under the balance board to protect the floor.
Thanks Kevin D. for sharing his instructions and photos from this project.