Topic: Building a Rail to Practice On

[-Ash-]

Well, since the closest place for me to practice vaults is a good five miles away, I was thinking I could build a little rail-like thing to put in my back yard.

Any ideas for materials? And then, how would I stabilize it? My dad won't let me use concrete; he says it's a "big deal".

My first idea was using some cinder blocks stacked on top of each other, with a decent sized wooden rail-thing to go between the holes in them. That just fell over, though.

My second idea was just a railing, with supports, built out of wood. I imagine this would work, but how would I stabilize it? I could drive it into the ground, but then it would just fall over after a few uses.

[Brian Dayton]

You could buy a wooden saw horse and drill two 2x4's to the bottom for stabilization. It would look something like this.

                               /\
                              /  \
                             /    \
                            /      \
       ____________ /_____\___________


The boards on the bottom would stabilize it but I'm not sure how well and they might crack/break so I wouldn't try anything to big on it.

[-Ash-]

Hm. I think that would work. Thanks!

[WoodlandGhillie]

http://www.americanparkour.com/smf/index.php/topic,23944.0.html

Check for ideas, post any in there.

[Softxlanding]

well on the sawhorse idea it directly says on it that it can support 2000 lbs so if you don't gain to much weight I am sure you should be good on not breaking it. otherwise if you have any welding skills then i suggest same thing but out of metal pipes

[JoryVigs]

yeah i was thinking about building some stuff in my backyard this summer too. any more ideas ppl?

[-Ash-]

well on the sawhorse idea it directly says on it that it can support 2000 lbs so if you don't gain to much weight I am sure you should be good on not breaking it. otherwise if you have any welding skills then i suggest same thing but out of metal pipes

Yeah, maybe if I lose a few pounds...loljk.

[Grayson]

I would just say build a vault box and a pair of precision rails/trainers, alot less of a hassle and alot smaller.

[-Ash-]

I would just say build a vault box and a pair of precision rails/trainers, alot less of a hassle and alot smaller.

Where can I find instructions for making a vault box? I want to be able to practice kongs, lazy vaults, speed vaults, and the turn vault, at least.

My dad says the saw horse thing will cost around $100, and that it wouldn't work. 

EDIT: I just made a pair of precision trainers and secured them to the ground (carpet in my basement) with velcro.

[Corndogg]

Where can I find instructions for making a vault box? I want to be able to practice kongs, lazy vaults, speed vaults, and the turn vault, at least. 

Here's ours - http://www.americanparkour.com/smf/index.php/topic,21648.0.html

[-Ash-]

Thanks.

[WoodlandGhillie]

You could probably find a cheaper way to make the parcube though.

[-Ash-]

I can't really practice anything but kongs and barrels on a parcube, though.

[WoodlandGhillie]

Hmm...

Can you give me a day or two? I'll try to create a decent schematic and post it on my Deviant Art account.

What do you want to do on this? Is there a max amount of money you want to spend? How big? Should it be portable? Surface type? (Metal rail, wood, painted wood, concrete, coarse sandpaper like, other...?) What other qualities do you want? Anything else?

[-Ash-]

Oh, yeah, sure. Thanks! 

I want to be able to do the turn vault, kong vault, and speed vault. That just about covers everything move wise... I don't want to spend an insane amount of money, maybe... $25-$50. And as for height, about the height of the normal rail you would vault over, if you know what I mean. :\ If that isn't clear enough, I'll go find a rail and measure it. Width...doesn't really matter. Just big enough to vault. Metal or wood. It just has to not move around too much.

And before you start a schematic thing, let's get all this clear. I'd hate for you to go all that trouble. I'm in no hurry.

Thanks!

[WoodlandGhillie]

Okay, so far it looks like a sawhorse, except for a top (instead of a flat wooden piece,) it has a rail connecting to two threaded wells. Instead of a bottom support, it will have a rail for turn vaults. Tell me how tall you want it, by then I can get an estimate of cost. (depending on where you live., your home depot or local hardware might have differing costs.)

Like the PARcube, I think I'm going to call it the FREERailing.

[Casey Boatwright]

Okay, so far it looks like a sawhorse, except for a top (instead of a flat wooden piece,) it has a rail connecting to two threaded wells. Instead of a bottom support, it will have a rail for turn vaults. Tell me how tall you want it, by then I can get an estimate of cost. (depending on where you live., your home depot or local hardware might have differing costs.)

Like the PARcube, I think I'm going to call it the FREERailing.

lol i like it,   keep us posted, especially if you get blueprints or something,

[WoodlandGhillie]

I'll scan my notebook before tonight.

[Casey Boatwright]

thanks

[-Ash-]

Okay, so far it looks like a sawhorse, except for a top (instead of a flat wooden piece,) it has a rail connecting to two threaded wells. Instead of a bottom support, it will have a rail for turn vaults. Tell me how tall you want it, by then I can get an estimate of cost. (depending on where you live., your home depot or local hardware might have differing costs.)

Like the PARcube, I think I'm going to call it the FREERailing.

Sounds good! Hm, around 3'-3'6". I'm thinking 3' because I could learn new stuff easier on a low rail. I could probably change it up myself if I decide I want it taller.