Okay folks, so I finally tackled that basketball pad project with the solid wood flooring. Total journey, let me tell ya. Started simple: needed a solid spot in the backyard for hoops. Concrete base was already there, kinda bumpy though. Figured, why not wooden pads?

The Whole Process

First, dragged myself to the lumber yard. Bought a bunch of pressure-treated 2×6 planks – solid stuff, won’t rot fast. Measured the concrete pad real careful, sweat dripping down. Marked everything with chalk. Grabbed the circular saw – brrrrr – cut the planks to size. Messed up one cut though, too short. Had to run back and grab an extra plank. Dumb waste of time.

Laid out those cut planks right on the concrete, side by side. Made sure they fit tight like puzzle pieces. Used my heavy-duty drill to sink timber screws down into the wood, every 16 inches. Went overboard at first, put too many screws. Wood split on a couple boards near the ends. Took ’em out, cursed a bit, drilled new holes slightly wider apart.

Surface Stuff

Wanted it smooth, ball’s gotta bounce. Got myself an orbital sander. Whirred away for hours – arms felt like jelly. Started with rough sandpaper, like 80 grit. Felt like rubbing the wood with bricks. Moved to 120 grit, then 220 for the finish. Cloud of dust! Looked like a ghost exploded. Wore a mask, obviously. Stupid mistake? Did it on a windy day. Dust coated my neighbor’s car. Had to apologize with beer later.

After the dust settled (literally), brushed on a wood sealant. Water-resistant stuff, thick and sticky. Used a big ol’ paint roller for most, cut in the edges with a brush. Did two whole coats. Waited ages between coats… so boring. Couldn’t touch it until it dried all day.

Final Touches

Threw down some of those grippy basketball pads. Cut ’em to size with a box cutter. Taped them together underneath with outdoor carpet tape. Weird smell, that tape. Laid them flat over the sealed wood, pressed down hard. Bounced the ball – nice solid feel. Much better than concrete.

Things I’d Change:

• Measure thrice, cut once. Really. That extra trip sucked.
• Sanding. Do it inside if possible, or pick a calm day.
• Sealant. Wear gloves. Stuff peels skin like crazy.

Turned out solid though. Tough project, but hearing that ball smack the wood? Worth every splinter.