Making a slant board for abdominal workouts can save the cost of a manufactured slant board and provide you with several options. You can select the degree of slant that gives you the most effective workouts and choose a color for the covering on the board. PVC pipe makes a stable base and frame. Plywood is used for the board and foam padding is covered with vinyl fabric. The PVC slant board is made using a few basic hand tools and a modest list of materials.
Step 1
Use a handsaw and cut a length of 2-inch PVC pipe 10 inches long as the lower end of the frame for the slant board. Apply PVC primer and PVC cement to each end of the piece and attach 90-degree elbows at each end. Make sure the elbows are pointing the same direction. Cut two lengths of PVC pipe 60 inches long as sides of the frame and cement these into each of the elbows.
Step 2
Apply PVC primer and cement to the open ends of the 60-inch-long side pieces. Attach the center port of a 3-way elbow to the end of each side piece. Make sure the upper ports on each of the 3-way elbows are aligned to attach an end piece to the rectangular frame. Cut an additional piece of PVC pipe 10 inches long and cement it into the upper ports of the 3-way connectors to complete the frame for the ab board.
Step 3
Determine the slant of the board and cut two lengths of 2-inch PVC pipe as legs that elevate the upper end of the board to this height. Apply PVC primer and cement to the ends of these pieces and attach them into the remaining open ports on each of the 3-way elbows.
Step 4
Apply primer and cement to the end of each leg and attach a 90-degree elbow to each. Make sure the elbows are facing in. Cut another 10-inch length of 2-inch PVC pipe as the base that attaches between the legs. Cement this piece into the elbows to complete the PVC frame.
Step 5
Use the circular saw and cut a piece of 1/2-inch plywood 14 inches wide and 64 inches long as the board. Align the plywood piece on the frame with equal overhang on the sides. Drill 3/16-inch pilot holes through the plywood and the PVC sides of the frame. The holes should be about 6 inches apart.
Step 6
Insert 3/16-inch carriage bolts into the plywood and through the PVC frame at each of the pilot holes. Put washers and nuts on the end of each carriage bolt and tighten the nuts with an open-end wrench.
Step 7
Use scissors to cut a piece of 1/2-inch-thick foam pad to the size of the plywood board. Apply contact cement to the board and lay the foam pad in place. Cut a piece of vinyl upholstery fabric that covers the pad with 3 inches of overhang on the sides and 1 inch of overhang at each end of the board. Use the staple gun with 3/8-inch staples to attach the fabric at the underside and ends of the board.
Tips and Warnings
- Use a padded belt at the upper end of the board to hold your feet for sit-ups.
Things You'll Need
- 2-inch PVC pipe
- Handsaw
- 2-inch PVC 3-way connectors
- PVC primer and cement
- 1/2-inch plywood
- Circular saw
- Electric drill
- 3/16-inch drill bit
- 3/16-inch carriage bolts with washers and nuts
- Open-end wrench
- 1/2-inch thick foam pad
- Scissors
- Contact cement
- Vinyl upholstery fabric
- Staple gun
- 3/8-inch staples
Member Comments