Alright so I figured I’d document how I pulled off this removable volleyball flooring project. Wanted something sturdy but easy to break down since we use the community center for multiple events.
Planning Stage
First I sketched rough layouts with crayons on pizza boxes – classy I know. Measured the entire court area three times because last time I trusted my eyeballing skills, we ended up with a lopsided badminton net.
Gathering Stuff
Went scavenging for materials:
- Snagged rejected hardwood planks from flooring liquidation
- Rummaged junkyard for modular connectors
- Bought discount foam padding
- Found weird rubber thingamajigs for shock absorption
Total cost? $300 including gas station coffee runs.
The Assembly Nightmare
Started laying planks at 3AM thinking it’d take two hours max. Reality check:
- First row went smooth like butter
- Second row connectors snapped like twigs
- Third row developed 1cm gaps when hammered
Wound up drilling custom holes through connectors using my neighbor’s dented power tools. Sweat more than during actual volleyball matches.
Removable Part Test
Biggest worry was whether sections would hold during spikes but collapse for storage. Did stress tests by:
- Jumping repeatedly in center section
- Slamming medicine ball on corners
- Making kids do cannonball dives
Foam padding flew everywhere during first three attempts. Fixed by duct-taping padding edges like a maniac.
Final Tuning
Sandpapered splinter zones after teammate got wood shrapnel in palm. Added bright orange grip tape on boundaries because referee kept tripping over invisible lines.
Current Status
Whole system breaks down into 2x3ft panels stacking against the wall. Takes 40 minutes to setup with three people now. Still find random wood chips in my socks though.
Local teens already dented section 7B with excessive celebrating. Might need to reinforce with steel plates or just accept the character marks.
