Member of the Month

GayWolf420
June, 2025

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Interchangeable backyard rail set up.

profile picture
freestyledork
Posts: 345 - Karma: 17
I am working on designing a set up that will allow little work to change rail setups due to limited space in the yard.

here are some examples of the design.. let me know what you think of the idea.


Apart:
Click for larger image


Together:
Click for larger image

The rail sits at ~28 inches fully compressed.. but can be raised just depends on if you use spacers to shorten the female part of the base.
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Mcfottley
Posts: 343 - Karma: 39
a bit high but a neat idea.

14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
BmoChop
Posts: 2071 - Karma: 96
That's really smart as far as I'm concerned, but I've never done the whole backyard setup shenanigans so i wouldn't really know.
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
this is a sick idea, but imho it's gonna be easier to just make two separate rails/boxes....

how many interchangeable tops where you thinking of making ? if it's just two, you're probably gonna need just as much wood, only after 3 different tops i think you're gonna be saving wood/money ....


anyways, really awesome sketch bro, how much time did that take ?
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Relish_man
Posts: 5386 - Karma: 551
here's another idea i've been thinking about;
have the end base on each side of the rail for a T have a puzzle-like ''lightbulb'' shape either carved in it or sticking out (like a puzzle piece) so you can setup different rails end-to-end and they'll stay together
Click for larger image

but that looks pretty dope, man
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
General_Ripper
Posts: 3327 - Karma: 189
Thats pretty cool. but why is it necessary to change the height?
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
freestyledork
Posts: 345 - Karma: 17
it was made with cinema 4d.. it is all to scale..

the whole point is to basically bury the bottom in the snow in the winter so when you want to change out rails it would only take about 10 - 15 minutes... at $2 per 8 ft 2x4 price isnt much.

as for adjusting height the more snow you get the higher you would make it.. also allowing a flat rail to dub as a up or down rail.
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
how do you plan on adjusting the height ? i don't really see how that's gonna work ....
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
nevetsw18
Posts: 268 - Karma: 26
With the support post things, my eye imediatly saw llike a sick curving type rail, but real solid idea
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
freestyledork
Posts: 345 - Karma: 17
its a male/ female set up.. the base is the female.. it currently has a 4 inch block on the bottom to hold the 2 outer pieces together.. if you put another 4 inch block on top then your male piece would be restricted from going down that 4 inches making it 4 inches taller.. mileage may very.
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
you do realize your "male" support beams are gonna fit the "female" slots under an angle if you do that, isn't that gonna be a problem ?
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
freestyledork
Posts: 345 - Karma: 17
its possible... with a little math I could make angle inserts that would solve that problem.

The biggest issue I see is this is a wood set up. I will have to set holes and use bolts instead of screws to fasten the two together. screws would work but over time will weaken the wood.

I had thought of using square perforated steel tube as the male/female part but then the cost goes up quite a bit fast.
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
AWALLRUS.
Posts: 5762 - Karma: 223
IVE GOT 3 RAILS AND IM MAKING A NEW ONE.

IVE GOT A FLAT RAIL, A F-D-F, AND A SLANTED RAIL.

I CHANGE THEM UP ALL THE TIME, MAKE COOL COMBOS AND SHIT, PUT A BONK NEAR IT AND STUFF. ITS GOOD FUN.
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
freestyledork
Posts: 345 - Karma: 17
This is my set up from last year..

while there is some space I really would like to have just a jump and a rail with a quarter pipe at the bottom... it helps when you have a snow gun making 4 inches an hour.

Click for larger image
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
OCM
Posts: 1276 - Karma: 976
dude, you have all that space, and all those rails, instead of making this thing, though sick, you could do the same exact thing by just moving the 3-4 rails you already have, and just building a new one
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
roddy116
Posts: 10662 - Karma: 7,805
its good but i would give it two posts that connect so it would have a less chance of breaking.
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
freestyledork
Posts: 345 - Karma: 17
ive thought of doing something like this with like barn door latches...
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
freestyledork
Posts: 345 - Karma: 17
based on pieces needed to make the flat rail.. the total cost only comes to $25-35

1"x4"x12' - 1 = $ not sure
2"x4"x96" - 8 = $1.94 per
deck screws.. = $5-7
1 1/2" x10' PVC 10' pipes - 2 = last I checked ~$4 per

not bad for what it is.. I will follow up with other designs and will break it down further for people if there is interest.
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
monkatizer
Posts: 4704 - Karma: 1,518
this would be helpful if you dont have room to store all the arils in the summer because there would be only 1 base and a bunch of dif. tops that can all lay ontop of eashother to take up less room then if you had a different rail for each top
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
ngates_EC
Posts: 1464 - Karma: 807
threads. I like this idea, but the rail does seem a bit high.
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
HamFaceGirl
Posts: 5242 - Karma: 2,683
sick idea would be pretty hard to pull off
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
freestyledork
Posts: 345 - Karma: 17
got sidetrack thought I would share...

Click for larger image


14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
freestyledork
Posts: 345 - Karma: 17
Alot of people are complaining about the height... I have my own snow gun and live in michigan.. while we dont have the best weather Im able to make about 4 inches an hour in a 20'x20' area... so I have no shortage of snow.. to show the height a bit better once buried I made some semi transparent snow...


20' flat rail

Click for larger image

20' A frame

Click for larger image
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
-AP-
Posts: 819 - Karma: 344
ehh i think that would break right at the part where it attaches. Wouldn't you rather have 2 rails anyway?
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
TACO-DOG.exe
Posts: 11990 - Karma: 12,273
Seems like too much work for what it's worth IMO
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
I.B
Posts: 8137 - Karma: 24,369
I made an interchangeble rail system at my house. MUCH simplier.


I'll post some paint shop pics tomorrow
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
freestyledork
Posts: 345 - Karma: 17
the beams that support it are 4x6 inches,,, I would be very surprised to see one break..

and yes it is alot of work... upfront. but I dont want to be digging out rails everytime I want to switch to a different rail.

14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
freestyledork
Posts: 345 - Karma: 17
please do im interested to see your approach
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
TOAST.
Posts: 7785 - Karma: 40,157
you cant really make combo rail though.
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
jjdsteeze
Posts: 2563 - Karma: 4,144
HI TOAST,


But anyway.....


go to www.twelve60.com park 1260 is a backyard setup and they have interchangeable rails.
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
freestyledork
Posts: 345 - Karma: 17
ya this it what I originally wanted.. the only reason I cant use steel is the price.. I was laid off from my job in march havent made much money since then. This design is very specific to what I need/want. Three main components... interchangeable / cheap / reliable... maybe down the line when I buy my own house. I have certain criteria for a house.. big yard for rail set up.. stream, lake, or well for making snow. thats about it.
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,903
My concern is about how you just have one post where the supports go into the rail. I think that will get wobbly pretty fast. I made my box so that I could interchange rails too. So far I only have a fat flat box, but I will be making a rainbow for this winter. Here is how I made mine:

Click for larger image
Click for larger image
Click for larger image
Click for larger image
Click for larger image

I know you are going for skinnier dub barrels, but I'm sure I will be able to adapt the bases to take a thinner rail. My box is super stable. Doesn't rock at all.
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
-NO-
Posts: 39 - Karma: 10
I've thought a lot about making an interchangeable rail, and the simplest and cheapest idea that i came up with was to make a super solid base and then have a couple of interchangeable 2x4's with different surfaces on each (ie hand rail, double hand rail etc.) that attach to your base with a couple of bolts.
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
freestyledork
Posts: 345 - Karma: 17
Time will tell about the posts.

Looking at yours it took me a minute to figure out how it works.. If im correct, you have to pull the whole thing out of the snow to change rails. The one side of the base is completely pulled off to slide a new rail in. correct?

The main point of mine is to be able to just change the top half without removing the snow from the base. going from flat bar to Aframe in 5-10 minutes without moving snow.

I could have used perforated steel supports to telescope the height and be used at the supports, but the cost of steel is pretty high.
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
kamron_708
Posts: 944 - Karma: 1,129
Make a flippable rail, like a box on one side and a metal rail on the other, then have spaces where pegs can be inserted so that it doesn't move
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
GavinW
Posts: 574 - Karma: 89
thats a really sick idea.
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,903
Changing mine out would only take 5 to 10 minutes too. I basically just throw it down on the snow. If it wobbles because of a low spot, I throw one shovel full of snow in the low spot and it's done.

I was thinking about this and I think steel would be the best bet. This is kind of a crazy idea, but I would try to find an old circular trampoline on Craig's list. Use the legs and supports for the legs of your rail. Look at the supports for this old school tramp.

Click for larger image

Two supports could be used for 2 rails side by side and they would take seconds to swap out.
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Yinzer
Posts: 1011 - Karma: 73
A very interesting idea, and well designed. I am an engineer so take my word for it. I think your priority should be to decrease the height. one it will last you longer because as the snow melts you can can still hit it. but much more importantly I think that eventually the joints will loosen significantly over time causing you to have an extremely sketchy set up in a year. If you can decrease that lever arm by somehow bringing down the top half triangular supports bellow the bottom ones similar to a conventional set up you'll be better off. Is it really that hard to dig up to change out the rails? They'll be cheaper and more durable.

that said, kudos. pretty great concept. just refine and perfect.
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
rareison
Posts: 10263 - Karma: 219
Pretty good idea.
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
freestyledork
Posts: 345 - Karma: 17
how much shorter? the whole thing is just over 2 feet.. I know ive mentioned a few times that I have a snow gun so snow isnt an issue.. the whole thing will only be a foot above ground.
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
jabroni.
Posts: 662 - Karma: 235
or we could just build two different rails.
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
stupendous-man
Posts: 8637 - Karma: 13,297
threads
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
TheRightCoast
Posts: 314 - Karma: 4
.
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Yinzer
Posts: 1011 - Karma: 73
when i built my rails they were so solid, now that are lose as shit from water damage they are mad lose. that pin slot joint makes me nervous that after a winter it'll be a wizard sleeve. I think you should at least make the slot fitting closed on all sides so its more of a pin in hole and not an open slot. that and an attention to detail and craftmanship when building should do it. watch your tolerances tho, wood expands when wet.
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Peter.
Posts: 23796 - Karma: 13,018
just build two rails. when water gets in the seams and freezes its gonna be impossible to separate the rail from the supports
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
freestyledork
Posts: 345 - Karma: 17
Ive been thinking about the swelling wood and such quite a bit and your totally right.. What I'm looking into now is using some angle iron or steel to just make 3-6 inch parts that over lap with 2 bolts... it will still be reasonably priced and alot stronger bond. If there are any freeze ups you can just take a torch to it.
14 years ago
0 0
profile picture
freestyledork
Posts: 345 - Karma: 17
finally got around to making a sample 20ft flat rail.. it sits at 26 inches. Theres 6 contact points each has 2 bolts.. I'm gunna try and make another rail next weekend. until then this is a picture.

Click for larger image
14 years ago
0 0
All times are Eastern (-4); Currently it's 11:12AM