Okay, here’s my blog post about making a basketball backboard from rubber tree timber:

So, I’ve been wanting to build a basketball hoop for the backyard for ages. I finally decided to just go for it! I didn’t want to buy one of those cheap plastic ones, I wanted something sturdy and, well, real. I figured, why not try making the backboard myself? I’ve done a bit of woodworking before, nothing fancy, but I’m always up for a challenge.

First, I needed some wood. I did a bit of looking around and ended up choosing rubber tree timber. Seems like it’s pretty durable, and supposedly it can withstand the weather okay. Plus, it wasn’t crazy expensive, which is always a bonus.

I sketched the shape on paper, which size is suitable for me.

I got a big sheet of the rubber tree timber from the local lumber yard. It was pretty heavy, so I had to get my neighbor, Bob, to help me unload it from my truck. Thanks, Bob!

Cutting and Shaping

Next up, the fun part – cutting! I used a jigsaw to cut out the basic rectangular shape of the backboard. I’m not gonna lie, my lines weren’t perfectly straight. Jigsaws can be a bit tricky, especially on thicker wood. But hey, it’s rustic, right?

After the main cut, I used a router to round off the edges. This was mostly for safety, so nobody gets scraped up playing. Plus, it looks a bit more professional, even if my jigsawing was a little wonky. I clamped the backboard down to my workbench – safety first, people!

Sanding and Smoothing

Then came the sanding… oh, the sanding. I started with some rough grit sandpaper to get rid of any splinters and smooth out those jigsaw imperfections. Then I moved to a finer grit to really make it smooth. This took a while, and my arms were definitely feeling it by the end. Dust mask is a MUST for this part, by the way. Don’t want to be breathing in all that sawdust.

Finishing

Once it was all smooth, I wiped it down with a damp cloth to get rid of any remaining dust. Then, I applied a few coats of exterior wood sealant. I wanted to make sure this thing could handle the rain and sun. I let each coat dry completely before applying the next. Patience is key here, even though I was itching to get it finished.

Mounting (The Real Test)

Finally, it was time to mount the backboard. I bought a separate mounting bracket and rim – I’m not that good at DIY. I bolted the bracket to the backboard, making sure to use some heavy-duty bolts. Then, with Bob’s help again (seriously, I owe him a beer), we mounted the whole thing to the wall above my garage. We used some serious lag bolts to make sure it was secure.

And… it worked! It actually looks pretty good, if I do say so myself. It’s definitely not perfect, but it’s solid, and it’s something I made. We shot some hoops, and it held up great. Now, I just need to work on my jump shot…

It is not perfect, there are flaws in the process of making it, but I am satisfied with the result.