I decided to make shortened plans for the rail, since it was a 45 minute process. Here is the basics at what I did though. Click here for a picture of my rail. Note: I used 2" Square Steel tubing for the whole thing, except for the Feet, which is 1/2\" Steel (roughly)

Materials Needed:

• 2" Square Steel Tubing (it's what I used)
• A Welding Machine. I used a Wire fed welder, and Arc welder. You can use basically any type of welder for this. Ask family if they have/know anyone with a welding machine.
• Some spray paint (I used it, prevents rusting in the short time period)
• A saw, or some means of cutting the tubing
• Something to flatten/grind down the ends of the Tube, so it is flat (for the legs)

1) First, I decided the height of my rail. I decided 16\". This isn't very high, but I wouldn't mind it being shorter, for learning new tech tricks/grinds on it.

2) Second, Figure out how long you want it to be, and what you will use for the base of it (the feet)

3) Third, If your rail is going to be, 10" high, you want to cut the legs roughly 2\", since the top bar is 2\" tall, already.

4) Cut the legs. Make sure they are the SAME length, or else it will be sloped. Stand the feet on flat ground, and make sure they do not shake

5) Cut the bar that you want to use for your grinding surface. This really doesn't matter if the ends are flat, or not. I had mine 8 foot 9inches. I'd suggest more like 7 feet, or somewhere around there.

6) Put your legs on the bar, which should be lying on the ground. Place the legs on as if the rail was upside down. Now, if you know how to weld, weld the leg on. I put my legs about 6\" from the edge.

7) Repeat step 6 with your other leg. After you have welded/had someone weld the legs on, use a wire brush to get the debris from the weld off.

8) Now, you should have 2 legs welded to your top/grinding surface. You should have your feet ready now. I used an Arc welder, at 140W Roughly. Any welder should work, but I wanted my weld to be strong, since the steel was a bit thick for the other welder. 9) If you took the time to do this, by now, you are dying to get a chance to skate this. One last thing I do, is spray paint it. This will protect it from rusting in the near future. I painted mine once, and went over it with a quick coat of paint. Although a lot of it gets worn down, it will stop some rusting. If you have time, then paint this every now and then. Here's some pictures and small explanations of my rail-building process...

Here is a picture of the leg I am using. This steel took forever to cut. Went through a Sawzall blade, a set of Ryobi (Those little hobby tools) disc' finally finished it, barely. Anyways, here's the leg, it's 14" long.

The reason the tape measure is there, is because I wanted (I am video taping..uncle is welding) to make sure that the legs were a certain amount from the outside...here is a closer picture of what I was doing. Eventually the Leg was exactly 8\" from the end of the rail...We (My uncle and I) did this to make sure it was balanced.

Here is a picture of the legs being welded on to the main grinding surface.

For the next leg, repeat the last couple of steps. Here is a picture of the next one being welded on...

After you make the welds, you should use a wire brush, to clean the weld up...here is a picture of this being done...

Now, you should have a material for the base. I was going to get fancy, and use some rubber..so it wouldn't slide, but It'd be to much trouble. I found some scrap flat steel lying around. This stuff is thick, about 1/4" steel. First, put the leg about where you think it looks right...then move to the next step...

Get a tape measure. You want to center this leg, so it'll be a bit more stable. For example: If your 'foot' (the flat piece) is 12" long..then you'd put it at the 5" mark on one side. Then the leg is 2\" wide, so thats 7", then there is 5" on the other side...which makes it perfectly centered! Here's a picture of the centering..

I don't have any pictures of the next step, but I'll explain as good as I can. You should have the leg centered on your 'feet'. Now, if you do not have a welding machine, ask neighbors, your school (shop class), or any family members if they have one. I'd suggest having someone else do it if you've never done it before. For most of this rail, a Wire fed welder was used. The next step, since the foot is so thick, we used the big Arc welder, to weld the leg to the base (foot). After you have done this, you're done! If you used the same stuff, and materials as I did..here is what it comes out like!

I'd suggest painting it (spray painting) so that it'll prevent rusting in the near future. I painted this thing with one coat, and then made little touch up's to it. It has rusted a little bit, since I used it, then winter hit, and I left it lying outside in the rain/snow, since I had no other place for it. I'll have to paint it again...here's what the original looked like! (NOTE: NICE CAMERA WORK, EH?!)

If you come across problems, or need advice or help, leave a message on the forum. I'd suggest you make yours about 5-8" shorter then you think it should be. If you think you can ollie and grind it at 1 1/2 feet..than make it like 8". Trust me, it'll be nicer! Have fun...Later!

Last update:  02-20-2008
Submitted by Ramprage