Casting Volley Ball Poles with Removeable Transport Axle
The axle makes moving the poles much easier. Having the axle removable lessons chances of injuring while playing and adds to economy of contruction.The constuction method of these requires very minimal consideration given to making the transport axle align with the holes in the base.
- Pole and Base
- Base form
- Circular form so that base of pole has raised center makes the pole less inclined to wobble. 2x4 upright (consider green treat) fastened to base with say 5 inch lag screw. 3/4 inch or 1-1/2 inch blocks on base form further raise center of base.
- Image 3 shows that plastic (a garbage bag) between the base form and the pole and concrete lets the base form be removed much easier after the concrete is cured. The plastic also makes the base forms last longer.
- Pin Receiver Holes
- Conduit of sufficient diameter (say 1 inch) to recieve pins from axle.
- A regular twist drill doesn't work well in rubber, plus most tires have steel wires embedded. A metal hole saw works well. Places holes roughly in center of tire face.
- The conduits should run roughly parallel (see image 4) so that they'll sit on the axle's pins.
- Concrete probably won't leak into conduits, but tape over ends insures it doesn't.
- Base form
- Axle Fabrication
- The axle has sliding rings of pipe on it. The pipe rings have pins sticking out of them that slide into the cylindrical holes casting into the pole base.
- Tapping threads into the rings, screwing 5 or 6 inch 1/2 inch bolts in, and welding in place makes for easy alignment. The heads on the bolts then need to be cut off. It was found that 3/8 inch bolts bend in this application.
- Steel "T" fence posts work well for the axle.
- If the pipe for the ring is too small to go over the axle (like 1-1/2" well pipe) it can be split open with a cutting torch or grinder like shown in the rightmost image in image #5.
- The wheels in image #2 are at angles because it was assumed a 1/2 inch shaft was needed instead of checking that it was 5/8 inch. Nothing is bent.
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