If you want to have a backyard session, you need something to slide right? Well, I’m going to show you how to build a snowboard handrail that can be bolted together as most people probably don’t have welders, and if you do have one you probably don’t need my help in the design process.

What You Need:

Tools:

Cordless Drill

13/32″ Drill

Hex Wrenches

Adjustable Wrench

Vise

1″ x 82 Degree Countersink

Tape Measure

Personal Protection Equipment

Materials:

(1) 6′ Length of 1 1/2″ x 3″ Square Tubing

(2) 3″ Length of 1/2″ x 3″ Square Tubing

(2) 6″ x 12″ x 1/2″ steel plates

(8) 1 1/2″ Angle Iron in 2 3/4″ long

(2) 3/8″ x 3 3/4″ Socket Cap Bolts

(2) 3/8″ x 2″ Socket Capital Bolts

(4) 3/8″ x 1″ Socket Cap Bolts

(4) 3/8″ x 1 1/4″ Flat Socket Bolts

(10) 3/8″ Nuts

All of the tubing lengths can be modified to your desired length. Since this is a bolt together design, I built this hand rail to a height that I can use to learn how to skateboard, and as a balance board for summer snowboarding. Keep in mind that the taller you make your rail, the wider the base needs to be, or the deeper in the snow it has to be buried to keep it upright. If you are going to bolt it to the ground for skateboarding then this is irrelevant.

Most steel yards will cut your materials to length for you. If you buy “used” steel, you can get it pretty cheap. I probably have $50 worth of Cold Roll Steel into this project. You can probably make it a little cheaper if you go with Hot Rolled Steel.

Step 1: Drilling the Angle Iron

Place your angle iron in a vise and drill the bolt holes. Drill the holes in the center across the 2 3/4″ length of the iron, but near the edges of the 1 1/2″ side. This allows you to have room to work with your bolts.

Step 2: Drilling The Uprights

Lay your angle iron flush with the base of your uprights, center to the width of the 1 1/2″ length. Mark the hole locations on the upright. Place the uprights in your vise and drill your holes all the way through the uprights. Turn your uprights over and repeat this process on the 3″ length.

Step 3: Assemble The Uprights.

Use the 3 3/4″ bolts to bolt the angle iron through the 3″ section of tubing and the 2″ bolts through 1 1/5″ section of tubing.

Step 4: Layout and drill the baseplates.

Use your tape measure to center the uprights to the plates. Mark your hole locations on the baseplates using your angle iron as a template. Drill and counter sink your base plates so that your flat hex screws are flush to the plate.

Step 5: Layout the Top Rail

Place the uprights on the bottom of the rail at the ends of the rail. Mark your hole locations and drill the holes through just one side of the tubing. Make sure you drill these holes on location. There are no do-overs here and you can’t fake these hole locations, it has to be exact. It’s a good idea to spot (dimple the metal before drilling) these holes if you have a center punch so that your drill does not wander. Keep your uprights close to the end of the rail so that you can actually get a wrench to the inside bolt head.

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Remember what I said about making sure you your holes are drilled on location? I messed up on one end. Thankfully I have access to a plasma cutter and can elongate the holes. The only other way to fix this would be to cut the end of the rail off and start over.

Step 6: Assembly

Mount the uprights to the top rail using the 3/8″ x 1″ bolts. Place your baseplates on top of the uprights with the countersink sides up. Drop your flat hex bolts into the holes and tighten them.

You now have a completed hand rail. If you work efficiently, you can have this prepped and assembled in around two hours. It’s also a good idea to go through and remove any sharp corners and edges, as there will be many. Good luck with your build and shred on.

Disclaimer: It’s not our fault if you build one of these and break your shit. You are responsible for your own actions and the injuries that may result from them. We are not held liable for how you use this information. Only you can prevent broken bones, lacerations, punctures, and death.

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