Okay, so today’s project was all about getting some plywood up on the wall for a makeshift volleyball practice area. I’ve been wanting to improve my bumping skills, and a flat surface seemed like a good start. I’m calling it “batten Volleyball plywood timber” because, well, that’s basically what it is!

Getting Started

First things first, I had to figure out where I wanted this thing. I’ve got a decent-sized wall in my garage, so I measured out a good space – enough height for a decent bump and some width so I wouldn’t be chasing the ball all over the place. I mark the area on the wall.

Prepping the Plywood

Next, I grabbed a sheet of plywood from the hardware store. It wasn’t anything fancy, just standard stuff. I decided to cut it down to size. I had them do the big cuts, because my saw at home is good but not that good.

Finding the Studs

This part was crucial. You can’t just nail plywood to drywall and expect it to hold. I used a stud finder – that little beeping thing – to locate the studs in the wall. I marked them with a pencil, making sure to double-check everything. Gotta be accurate!

Attaching the Battens

Now for the battens. These are just strips of timber – I used some 2x4s I had lying around. I cut them to the width of the plywood. These are what the plywood will actually attach to, giving it support. I lined up the battens with the stud marks and screwed them into the wall, making sure they were level. This part took a bit of time, but it’s important to get it right.

Putting Up the Plywood

Finally, the main event! I lifted the plywood sheet and lined it up with the battens. With a friend helping me hold it in place (thanks, Mark!), I started screwing the plywood into the battens. I used plenty of screws to make sure it was really secure. We worked our way across the sheet, making sure it was flush against the battens.

The Finished Product

And that’s it! It’s not the prettiest thing in the world, but it’s solid and functional. I tested it out with a few bumps, and it felt great. The ball bounced back nicely, and the whole thing felt sturdy. Now I can practice my volleyball skills whenever I want, right in my garage! It’s a simple project, but I’m pretty happy with how it turned out.