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How to Make a Portable Tetherball Set

The need to make a tetherball pole sturdy enough to hold up to competitive play usually means fixing it permanently in the ground̵2;something not everyone is willing to do in a yard where it may interfere with other activities. However, it is possible to make a sturdy tetherball set up without making it permanent. This design, based on an idea from Mom Ready, allows for quick set up and requires only as much storage space as would be used by a spare tire and a (rather tall) garden rake.

Things You'll Need

Drill
5/16 inch drill bit
1-3/4 inch O.D. galvanized steel pipe 8 feet long
2-inch threaded stainless steel eye bolt (1/4 inch shaft)
1/4-inch washer (2)
1/4-inch lock washer (2)
1/4-inch hex nut (2)
Vinyl end cap 1-3/4 inch diameter x 1 inch long
Tire (large)
Plastic sheet (scrap--large enough to cover hole in side of tire)
Cement
2-inch I.D. galvanized steel pipe 10 inches long
1/4 inch x 2-1/2 inch long stainless steel hex bolt
Vinyl end cap 2-1/4 inch diameter x 1 inch long
12 feet nylon rope
Tether ball

Instructions

- 1
  Measure two inches from end of a eight foot long galvanized steel pipe and mark.
- 2
  Drill a hole all the way through the pipe at the mark, using a 5/16 inch drill bit.
- 3
  Slide a 2-inch threaded stainless steel eye bolt through the hole and fasten in place with one washer (against the pipe) followed by a lock washer and nut (on the outside). Tighten nut.
- 4
  Stretch a 1-1/4 inch vinyl end cap over the open end of the pipe above the eye bolt, and set pipe aside temporarily.
- 5
  Measure one inch from one end of the 10-inch pipe; drill a hole all the way through as before, with a 5/16 drill bit.
- 6
  Stretch a 2-1/4 inch vinyl end cap over the opposite end of the pipe (away from the end with the drilled hole) and set aside temporarily.
- 7
  Place a piece of scrap plastic inside a tire laid flat on a scrap of plywood or other smooth, level and firm surface.
- 8
  Mix cement according to manufacturer̵7;s instructions. Pour the cement in the tire until full, working cement around with a stick to iesure the tire is completely packed with cement and no large air spaces remain beneath the rim.
- 9
  Push the 10-inch section of pipe--capped side down̵2;into the cement in the center of the tire. Leave two to three inches sticking out above the level of the cement and tire rim. Hold the pipe in place with wire or string stretched across pipe and fastened in place on either side of the tire.
- 10
  Clean out any cement inside the pipe. Insure that the drilled hole is clear and at least one inch from the surface of the cement. Let cement cure at least 24 hours before removing the temporary fastening for the pipe.
- 11
  Tie one end of nylon rope to the eye bolt in the tether pole (8-foot pipe).
- 12
  Place the tether pole upright inside the pipe section set in the tire. Using the holes in the outside pipe section as guides, carefully drill corresponding 5/16 inch holes through the walls of the tether pole so they line up precisely with those in the outside pipe section.
- 13
  Slide the 2-1/2 inch hex bolt through holes in both pipes and place washer, lock washer and nut on opposite side, then tighten. The tether pole is now locked in place until you want to take it down or move it.
- 14
  Attach tetherball to the opposite end of the rope and adjust length to suit. You are ready to play!

Backyard Toys