Okay so I wanted a basketball hoop in my backyard but didn’t want some flimsy plastic thing you find at Walmart. My neighbor’s kid put one up last summer that blew over like cardboard in the wind. Nah. Needed solid wood. But here’s the kicker – my wife hates permanent stuff in the yard. Said no drilling into the deck or concrete anchors. So had to figure out how to make it solid yet removable.
Grabbing Stuff & First Mistakes
Went to Home Depot looking for heavy timber. Found these 4×4 posts but they felt light. Sales guy swore they were pressure-treated. Got home and realized they felt light ’cause they were pine. Should’ve checked the stamp. Ugh. Went back next day for actual oak. Heavy as hell – needed help loading.
Supplies list:
- Three 6-foot oak 4x4s ($ouch)
- Bag of concrete mix
- Big plastic planter bucket
- Metal bracket kit for basketball pole
- Bolts, screws, buncha sandbags
The Concrete Base Nightmare
Thought the planter bucket trick would be easy. Mixed concrete in a wheelbarrow – turned out chunky like cookie dough. Poured it into the bucket standing upright. Then realized I should’ve put the center post in FIRST while concrete was wet. Had to jam the pole in when it was half-set. Concrete splashed everywhere – ruined my favorite sneakers.
Let it cure for three days. Got impatient day two and wobbled it. Big crack sound. Panicked thinking I’d ruined it. Just the bucket flexing thank god.
Assembly Chaos
Now attaching the other two posts to the center one. Measured wrong three times. Wood chips everywhere from re-drilling holes. Screws stripped constantly – oak’s stupid hard. Finally got the bracket clamped around all three posts. Bolted through with washers like my life depended on it.
Couldn’t find level. Used my kid’s marble instead. Good enough.
The “Removable” Part
Here’s the magic: Wrapped thick canvas around bottom where pole meets concrete bucket. Cinched it tight with ratchet straps. Then dumped six sandbags around base as weights. Important part – didn’t glue anything together. Whole thing stands by pure balance and friction.
Tested it by dunking myself on the rim – probably shouldn’t at 200lbs but no cracks. Whole setup shakes when ball hits backboard but doesn’t tip. Sandbags saved my marriage from concrete holes.
Final Tuning & Thoughts
Made a handle from rope to pull it upright when it leans. Added old yoga mats between posts to stop creaking noises. Kid uses it daily now. When winter comes, just unstrap the whole thing and drag it to garage.
Total cost around $180 and two weekends. Not perfect but survives wind and stupid adults hanging on rim. Probably would do shorter poles if I did it again – this monster’s 11 feet tall. But solid timber? Damn right.
