How to Build a Portable Tetherball Set
Building a portable tetherball set allows you the flexibility of playing tetherball competitively without making it a permanent fixture. If you want to build a tetherball set that is sturdy enough for holding a game in your backyard without interfering with normal activities, you can easily build a portable one. Having to build one is not difficult. Follow the simple step-by-step instructions below to build your portable tetherball set.
Tools and Materials Needed for the Job
- 5/16-inch Drill Bit
- Drill
- 2-inch Threaded Eye Bolt (Stainless Steel with ¼-inch Shaft)
- 1 ¾-inch 8ft Long OD Steel Pipe (Galvanized)
- 2 nos. ¼-inch Lock Washer
- 2 nos. ¼-inch Washer
- 1 ¾-inch DIA x 1-inch Long Vinyl End Cap
- 2 ¼-inch DIA x 1-inch Long Vinyl End Cap
- 2 nos. ¼-inch Hex Nut
- Large Tire
- Plastic Sheet (Big enough to cover the hole inside the tire)
- 2-inch ID Steel Pipe (Galvanized – 10-inch Long)
- Cement
- ¼-inch x 2 ½-inch Long Hex Bolt (Stainless Steel)
- Tetherball
- 12ft Nylon Rope
- Measuring Tape
- Stick
- String or Wire
Step 1 – Drill the 8 Ft Steel Pipe
Measure 2-inch with a measuring tape from 1 end of the 1 ¾-inch 8ft long OD galvanized steel pipe, and make a mark. Use the 5/16-inch drill bit to drill a hole into the steel pipe. Drill it right through the steel pipe where you have made the mark.
Step 2 – Install Eye Bolt into the Steel Pipe
Slide a 2-inch threaded eye bolt through the drilled hole of the steel pipe. Fasten the eye bolt in its place against the steel pipe with 1 washer, 1 lock washer, and 1 hex nut (outside). Tighten the nut.
Step 3 – Install 1 ¾-inch Vinyl End Cap
Stretch over the 1 ¾-inch vinyl end cap at the steel pipe’s open end located just above the 2-inch eye bolt. Then set the pipe aside.
Step 4 – Drill the 10-inch Steel Pipe
Measure 1-inch with a measuring tape from 1 end of the 10-inch long ID galvanized steel pipe, and make a mark. Use the 5/16-inch drill bit to drill a hole into the steel pipe. Drill it right through the steel pipe where you have made the mark as in step 1.
Step 5 – Install 2 ¼-inch Vinyl End Cap
Stretch over the 2 1/4-inch vinyl end cap at the steel pipe’s opposite end away from the drilled hole. Then set the pipe aside.
Step 6 – Fill the Tire with Cement
Place the tire flat on a smooth and level surface. Place the large plastic sheet inside the tire. Mix the cement based on the manufacturer’s instructions. Then, pour it into the tire till it’s full. As you are pouring, use a stick to work around the cement to ensure that the tire is packed completely and there are no air spaces under the rim.
Step 7 – Install the 10-inch Steel Pipe
Install the 10-inch steel pipe you have set aside in step 5 into the middle of the cemented tire by pushing it, with the vinyl cap side, down. Allow 2-inch to 3-inch of the pipe to stick out from above the tire rim and cement. Then, stretch a string or wire across the pipe. Fasten the string or wire on either sides of tire. This holds the steel pipe in its place.
Step 8 – Clean out Cement
Clean out the cement that may have gone into the pipe when you installed it in step 7. Make sure that the hole you have drilled in step 4 is at least 1-inch above the cement surface, and is clear of cement. Let the cement cure for at least 24 hrs before you remove the temporary string or wire fastening you have installed in step 7 for the steel pipe.
Step 9 – Install the Tetherball Pole
Tie 1 end of the nylon rope onto the eye bolt you have installed in the 8ft steel pipe in step 2. This will be used as the tetherball pole. Place the tetherball pole in an upright position inside the 10-inch pipe section that is set into the cement tire. Drill 5/16-inch holes into the tetherball poles. Use the holes on the outside pipe (10-inch steel pipe) as a guide. Make sure that the holes on both poles line up with each other.
Step 10 – Install the Tetherball Set
Slide a 2 ½-inch hex bolt into the holes of both pipes. Place the washer, the lock washer, and the nut on the opposite. Tighten them. This locks the tetherball pole in its place. Attach the tetherball to the other end of the nylon rope. Adjust the length as desired.
