Okay, here’s my blog post about making volleyball cushions from solid timber:

So, I had this crazy idea. My kid’s volleyball team needed some, uh, enhanced seating for their games. You know, something more supportive than those flimsy folding chairs. And being the DIY enthusiast I am, I thought, “Why not make some cushions… out of wood?” Yeah, I know, it sounds weird, but stick with me.

Getting Started

First, I grabbed some leftover solid timber from my last project – a surprisingly sturdy bookshelf. It was just sitting there, taking up space, so I figured, why not put it to good use? I measured the existing chairs (metal folding chairs) and started creating the new cushions for them.

• Timber selection: I had some decent-sized pieces of oak. Nice and solid, perfect for taking a beating.
• Tools: Circular saw, sander, some wood glue (just in case), and a whole lot of sandpaper. Oh, and safety glasses! Always safety glasses.

The Chopping and Shaping

I fired up the circular saw (after putting on those safety glasses, of course) and cut the timber into rough rectangular shapes, slightly larger than the chair seats. No fancy curves or anything, just basic rectangles. My woodworking skills are… let’s say “functional,” not artistic.

Then came the sanding. And sanding. And more sanding. I started with a coarse grit to get rid of the rough edges and splinters, then gradually worked my way down to a finer grit to make the surfaces smooth. My arms were definitely feeling it by the end of this stage!

Assembly (or Lack Thereof)

Honestly, there wasn’t much “assembly” involved. Since I was going for solid, single-piece cushions, it was mostly just cutting and sanding. I did consider using wood glue to join some smaller pieces together, but the oak I had was big enough, so I skipped that step.

Finishing Touches

I have got to be honest, there isn’t one. Because, the cushions were made according to the folding chairs I prepared, and I inserted the timber into the cushions very smoothly, which made them fit together well, and I didn’t need any extra steps. They looked great, so I finished the project.

The Big Reveal (and the Reactions)

I brought the finished “cushions” to the next volleyball game. The initial reactions were… mixed. Some of the parents looked at me like I was crazy. The kids, though, they were intrigued. They carefully sat down and sat.

Okay, so maybe “cushion” is the wrong word. They’re more like… solid wooden seat enhancers. But hey, they’re sturdy, they won’t collapse, and they definitely add a unique touch to the sidelines. Plus, I got to use up some leftover wood and flex my (very basic) woodworking muscles. Mission accomplished!