Okay, here’s my attempt at a blog post in the style you requested, focusing on a “batten dancing sleeper portable wooden flooring” project:

Alright, so I wanted a dance floor. Not just any dance floor, mind you. I wanted something I could move around, maybe take to a friend’s place, or even just stash in the shed when I’m not using it. And I wanted it to feel good under my feet, you know? Like a real, proper dance floor.

I started lookin’ around online, and man, those pre-made portable floors are expensive! Plus, most of them looked kinda flimsy. So, I figured, “Heck, I can build something better myself!”

The Basic Idea

The plan was simple: a wooden surface, supported by something that would give it some spring. That’s where the “batten” and “sleeper” parts come in. Think of it like a mini version of a real dance studio floor.

Gathering My Stuff

• Wood: I grabbed some decent plywood for the top. Nothing fancy, just sturdy enough.
• Battens: These are just strips of wood, kinda like thin planks. I used some leftover 2x4s that I ripped down.
• Sleepers: This is what gives the floor its bounce. I found some thick foam padding. I used to use it to be put under my old workout equipment.
• Screws and Glue: Gotta hold it all together, right?

Putting it Together

First, I cut the plywood into smaller, manageable squares. Size depends on you.

Next, I laid out the battens on the floor, spacing them evenly. These are the “ribs” of the floor, running in one direction.

Then, I cut the foam padding into strips and glued them to the bottom of the battens. These are the “sleepers,” and they sit perpendicular to the battens, resting on the actual floor.

Then, I glued and screwed the plywood squares to the battens. Make sure you use enough glue and screws, or the whole thing will fall apart when you start jumpin’ around!

I repeated these steps until I had enough sections to make up the size of floor I wanted.

I put all the square together.

The Result

It’s not perfect, I ended up getting some small injuries because my cutting wasn’t accurate, but it works! It’s got that nice, springy feel that’s easy on the joints. And when I’m done, I can just stack the sections and tuck them away. Plus, I saved a bunch of money compared to buying one of those pre-made things.

If you’re thinking about doing something similar, just take your time, measure carefully, and don’t be afraid to improvise. It’s a fun project, and you end up with something you can actually use!