Okay, let me walk you through this little project I tackled recently. It involved some cushions, a basketball hoop, plywood, and some timber. It started ’cause the backboard we had was just… knackered. Totally falling apart.

Getting Started – The Idea

So, I figured, why not build a new one? But I wanted something a bit different, maybe a bit safer for the kids when they’re messing about near the hoop. That’s where the cushions came into my head. Maybe pad the edges or something? Sounded like a plan, anyway.

Gathering the Bits

First stop was grabbing the materials. Needed a solid piece of plywood, went for something reasonably thick, maybe 3/4 inch? Can’t remember exactly, just wanted it sturdy. Picked up some decent timber too, standard stuff, like 2x4s, for building a frame around the back. The existing hoop and net were still okay, so I planned to reuse those. The trickiest part was the cushions. Didn’t want to spend a fortune. Ended up finding some old, flat outdoor seat cushions at a garage sale. They looked tough enough.

Putting it Together

Alright, the actual work. Got the plywood sheet laid out on some sawhorses. Measured out the size I wanted for the backboard. Nothing regulation, just what looked right for the space. Got my circular saw out and carefully cut the shape. Made sure to sand down the edges straight away – splinters are no fun.

Next up, the timber frame. Cut the 2x4s to fit around the back edges of the plywood piece. Used some decent wood screws to attach the frame directly to the back of the plywood. This really stiffened the whole thing up nicely. Felt much more solid.

The Cushion Challenge

Now for the cushions. This bit was fiddly. My initial idea was to wrap them around the timber frame edges. I laid them out, tried to figure out the best way to attach them. Staples didn’t feel strong enough, and I was worried they’d just rip through the fabric over time. I ended up using a combination of things. Drilled some holes through the timber frame and used heavy-duty cable ties looped through the cushion fabric in hidden spots. Also used a whole load of strong, outdoor-rated contact adhesive between the cushion backs and the timber. Clamped it all down and just had to leave it for a good while to set properly. Had to trim some of the cushion foam away in places to make it sit flush and neat, especially around the corners.

Finishing Touches

Once the adhesive was dry and the cushions felt secure, I gave the exposed plywood front a couple of coats of outdoor paint I had leftover. White, classic look. Made sure to paint the timber frame bits that were still visible too, just to protect the wood from the weather. Drilled the mounting holes for the actual basketball hoop, making sure they went through both the plywood and the timber frame for strength.

• Cut plywood to size.
• Built timber frame on the back.
• Attached cushions to frame edges (cable ties & adhesive).
• Painted the plywood and exposed timber.
• Drilled holes for the hoop.

The Result

Getting the finished backboard mounted back onto the pole was a bit of a mission, definitely heavier than the old one. Needed a hand to get it lined up and bolted securely. Attached the old hoop and net. Stood back and had a look.

Honestly, it turned out pretty good! The cushioned edge looks kinda chunky, but it definitely feels safer if someone accidentally bumps into it. The ball hitting the padded edge makes a dull thud instead of a loud clack, which is an unexpected bonus. Played a few shots, feels really solid when the ball hits the main board. Not sure how the cushions will hold up long-term with rain and sun, but hey, it was a fun practical thing to build and figure out. Better than the old broken thing, that’s for sure.