Comments on: How to build your own ice rake http://www.myfamilylovesit.com/blog/index.php/2007/12/09/how-to-build-your-own-rink-rake/ Family reviews, stories, ideas and activities. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:29:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Graeme http://www.myfamilylovesit.com/blog/index.php/2007/12/09/how-to-build-your-own-rink-rake/comment-page-2/#comment-9756 Graeme Fri, 25 Nov 2011 04:08:34 +0000 http://www.myfamilylovesit.com/blog/index.php/2007/12/09/how-to-build-your-own-rink-rake/#comment-9756 Might seem like a dumb question to those of you who are clued up on these things. But is it possible to use a level concrete base?? I ask because I would drain it for the summer time and cover it with timber decking boards for a terrace. Thanks in advance for any advice. Might seem like a dumb question to those of you who are clued up on these things. But is it possible to use a level concrete base?? I ask because I would drain it for the summer time and cover it with timber decking boards for a terrace. Thanks in advance for any advice.

]]> By: Scott http://www.myfamilylovesit.com/blog/index.php/2007/12/09/how-to-build-your-own-rink-rake/comment-page-2/#comment-6523 Scott Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:01:02 +0000 http://www.myfamilylovesit.com/blog/index.php/2007/12/09/how-to-build-your-own-rink-rake/#comment-6523 Hi Greg; My wife and I (OK mainly my wife...she is completely obsessed) have been building a small rink (maybe 35 x 25) in our front yard for 5 years now. We put the tarp down either directly on the grass or on a layer of snow, depending on when we get things set-up and when mother nature decides it should snow. So far, the grass comes back every year. Truthfully, this is very surprising to us as the area we live in has very sandy lots so the quality of the grass is poor to begin with. I am no expert, but I suspect that if our poor quality grass fights its way back every Spring, higher quality, thicker grass would rebound even better. I suggest that you try it and if you have to do some lawn repair in the Spring – so be it. You can look back and smile at the fun you and your family had during the Winter while you effect repairs. Best of luck! Later, Scott Hi Greg;

My wife and I (OK mainly my wife…she is completely obsessed) have been building a small rink (maybe 35 x 25) in our front yard for 5 years now. We put the tarp down either directly on the grass or on a layer of snow, depending on when we get things set-up and when mother nature decides it should snow.

So far, the grass comes back every year. Truthfully, this is very surprising to us as the area we live in has very sandy lots so the quality of the grass is poor to begin with. I am no expert, but I suspect that if our poor quality grass fights its way back every Spring, higher quality, thicker grass would rebound even better. I suggest that you try it and if you have to do some lawn repair in the Spring – so be it. You can look back and smile at the fun you and your family had during the Winter while you effect repairs.

Best of luck!

Later,
Scott

]]> By: Tim in Maine http://www.myfamilylovesit.com/blog/index.php/2007/12/09/how-to-build-your-own-rink-rake/comment-page-2/#comment-4444 Tim in Maine Fri, 13 Feb 2009 02:00:18 +0000 http://www.myfamilylovesit.com/blog/index.php/2007/12/09/how-to-build-your-own-rink-rake/#comment-4444 Hey Mark, Nicerink liners are pretty rough. I bought the single season liner because we put the rink up late into the season. Blame lots of snow. But now that it's built, I'll just unbolt it, break it down, paint it in June/July and come thanksgiving weekend its going back up. I had built it the first week in December with this sites plans and it is an awesome 28 x 64 rink with curved corners and boards. Best of all it breaks down easily(bolts) and I can add on either way down the road. Hey Mark, Nicerink liners are pretty rough. I bought the single season liner because we put the rink up late into the season. Blame lots of snow. But now that it’s built, I’ll just unbolt it, break it down, paint it in June/July and come thanksgiving weekend its going back up. I had built it the first week in December with this sites plans and it is an awesome 28 x 64 rink with curved corners and boards. Best of all it breaks down easily(bolts) and I can add on either way down the road.

]]> By: Mark http://www.myfamilylovesit.com/blog/index.php/2007/12/09/how-to-build-your-own-rink-rake/comment-page-2/#comment-4439 Mark Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:34:10 +0000 http://www.myfamilylovesit.com/blog/index.php/2007/12/09/how-to-build-your-own-rink-rake/#comment-4439 I too used a liner from Nice Rink, along with some of their brackets for the boards. They have great products. I highly recommend them. I can see their liner lasting for several years. It's a very durable piece of plastic. I too used a liner from Nice Rink, along with some of their brackets for the boards. They have great products. I highly recommend them. I can see their liner lasting for several years. It’s a very durable piece of plastic.

]]> By: Tim in Maine http://www.myfamilylovesit.com/blog/index.php/2007/12/09/how-to-build-your-own-rink-rake/comment-page-2/#comment-4427 Tim in Maine Fri, 06 Feb 2009 02:12:36 +0000 http://www.myfamilylovesit.com/blog/index.php/2007/12/09/how-to-build-your-own-rink-rake/#comment-4427 John, The plastic I got for the rink is from a company in Wisconsin or Minnesota called Nicerink. Check them out at nicerink.com John, The plastic I got for the rink is from a company in Wisconsin or Minnesota called Nicerink. Check them out at nicerink.com

]]> By: Tim in Maine http://www.myfamilylovesit.com/blog/index.php/2007/12/09/how-to-build-your-own-rink-rake/comment-page-2/#comment-4426 Tim in Maine Fri, 06 Feb 2009 02:07:31 +0000 http://www.myfamilylovesit.com/blog/index.php/2007/12/09/how-to-build-your-own-rink-rake/#comment-4426 Hey John, Used the zamboni the other night and had a wardrobe malfunction. The hose connector broke off, so I had to used the hose with water running out. Next day the ice was fairly descent but a little lumpy. Tonight I fixed it and it worked awesome!!! Smooth as a baby's you know what. Great invention you should pattern it and make some $$$$$. Anyway what is the best way to resurface? I was using it pushing it around side to side and back n forth because I heard some cracking and got nervous. My neighbor with the snow, we're tight our daughters go to daycare together, plus I plow their driveway, so we are friendly. Hey John, Used the zamboni the other night and had a wardrobe malfunction. The hose connector broke off, so I had to used the hose with water running out. Next day the ice was fairly descent but a little lumpy. Tonight I fixed it and it worked awesome!!! Smooth as a baby’s you know what. Great invention you should pattern it and make some $$$$$. Anyway what is the best way to resurface? I was using it pushing it around side to side and back n forth because I heard some cracking and got nervous. My neighbor with the snow, we’re tight our daughters go to daycare together, plus I plow their driveway, so we are friendly.

]]> By: Diane http://www.myfamilylovesit.com/blog/index.php/2007/12/09/how-to-build-your-own-rink-rake/comment-page-2/#comment-4420 Diane Wed, 04 Feb 2009 18:42:25 +0000 http://www.myfamilylovesit.com/blog/index.php/2007/12/09/how-to-build-your-own-rink-rake/#comment-4420 Hey John, I need some help with my rink. I'm just putting on the layers now, but on one side of the rink it is extremely bumpy and I have no idea how to smooth it out. What I'm doing is just using the sprinkler in one area, then after that area has been flooded, I move it to the next area. Could you give me some adivce on how to smooth out those bumps? Hey John, I need some help with my rink. I’m just putting on the layers now, but on one side of the rink it is extremely bumpy and I have no idea how to smooth it out. What I’m doing is just using the sprinkler in one area, then after that area has been flooded, I move it to the next area. Could you give me some adivce on how to smooth out those bumps?

]]> By: John http://www.myfamilylovesit.com/blog/index.php/2007/12/09/how-to-build-your-own-rink-rake/comment-page-2/#comment-4419 John Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:44:15 +0000 http://www.myfamilylovesit.com/blog/index.php/2007/12/09/how-to-build-your-own-rink-rake/#comment-4419 Tim, Glad to hear it. Stay friendly with that neighbor cause a snowblower comes in handy when clearing a lot of snow off your rink. Tim,

Glad to hear it. Stay friendly with that neighbor cause a snowblower comes in handy when clearing a lot of snow off your rink.

]]> By: Tim http://www.myfamilylovesit.com/blog/index.php/2007/12/09/how-to-build-your-own-rink-rake/comment-page-2/#comment-4417 Tim Wed, 04 Feb 2009 05:20:49 +0000 http://www.myfamilylovesit.com/blog/index.php/2007/12/09/how-to-build-your-own-rink-rake/#comment-4417 Hey John, Looked at your site and rink way back in September. Got the materials in December, built it and planned on putting it together the next weekend. But mother nature here in Maine gave us 2ft of snow Dec 21/22. It is now Feb 4 and with some help using my neighbors snow blower ( I did not want to use my plow) I cleared off at 35 x 70 area and slapped the boards together, got the plastic from Nicerink, turned on the water and some 22 hours later shut the water off. That was last friday. It just snowed a few inches and I went on the rink for the first time and shoveled it. Now my 2 year old daughter can finally learn to skate and play hockey on ice rather than on the kitchen floor. Great site, great plans, great advice I just hope we keep getting cold weather so we can enjoy our rink thanks to you. Hey John, Looked at your site and rink way back in September. Got the materials in December, built it and planned on putting it together the next weekend. But mother nature here in Maine gave us 2ft of snow Dec 21/22. It is now Feb 4 and with some help using my neighbors snow blower ( I did not want to use my plow) I cleared off at 35 x 70 area and slapped the boards together, got the plastic from Nicerink, turned on the water and some 22 hours later shut the water off. That was last friday. It just snowed a few inches and I went on the rink for the first time and shoveled it. Now my 2 year old daughter can finally learn to skate and play hockey on ice rather than on the kitchen floor. Great site, great plans, great advice I just hope we keep getting cold weather so we can enjoy our rink thanks to you.

]]> By: greg http://www.myfamilylovesit.com/blog/index.php/2007/12/09/how-to-build-your-own-rink-rake/comment-page-2/#comment-4323 greg Mon, 19 Jan 2009 10:05:14 +0000 http://www.myfamilylovesit.com/blog/index.php/2007/12/09/how-to-build-your-own-rink-rake/#comment-4323 When building the rink over lawn area, does the grass come back normally in the spring/summer? When building the rink over lawn area, does the grass come back normally in the spring/summer?

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