Alright, so I’ve been wanting to build a little practice dance floor in my basement for a while now. I finally got around to it, and let me tell you, it was a bit more involved than I initially thought! I wanted something portable, so I could move it around or store it if needed. The idea was a “keel dancing engineer board portable wooden flooring” – basically, a sturdy, sprung floor that I could assemble and disassemble.

First, I gathered all my materials. I went with some decent quality plywood for the top surface, and then some 2x4s for the underlying frame – the “keels,” if you will. I also picked up a bunch of those rubber things…you know, the kind you sometimes find under heavy machinery? Those were going to act as my “springs.” Don’t ask me the official name, I just know they’re squishy!

The Build

The frame was pretty straightforward. I built a simple rectangular frame, using 2×4, the size i want.

Next, I started attaching those rubber thingamajigs to the underside of the frame. I spaced them out evenly, making sure there were plenty near the edges and a good number in the center. My thinking was, the more, the merrier, when it comes to cushioning. I used some heavy-duty construction adhesive and screws, just to be extra sure they wouldn’t pop off mid-pirouette.

Then came the plywood. I laid the sheets down on top of the frame, making sure they were flush with the edges. I wanted a nice, smooth surface, so I took my time and made sure everything lined up perfectly. I secured the plywood with screws, lots of them, so the wood connected well with keel.

It get better result, I added a layer of padding on top. I found some interlocking foam tiles at a local store, They are like puzzle. It is easy to connect together.

The Result

It’s not perfect, mind you. It’s a little bouncy in some spots, and I might need to add a few more of those rubber cushions in the future. But overall, I’m pretty happy with it! I can practice my moves without worrying about wrecking my knees on the concrete basement floor, and I can take it apart and store it when I need the space. Success!