Build a Hockey Tree

Article Index
Build a Hockey Tree
Cutting Instructions
Base Assembly
Making the Vertical Riser
Using your Hockey Tree
All Pages

"Get rid of that smelly equipment!" If you play you will hear this from someone you live with. You can avoid this problem and keep your equipment in top shape if you dry it out each time you play.

A simple way to dry your equipment is to construct a "Hockey Tree." The tree that is described here is simple to construct, sturdy and can be customized to meet your specific needs. In addition, you can finish or paint your tree in colors to match your team jerseys.

Construction of the tree requires some minor skill with tools but should be fairly easy for most folks. The materials cost about $15 (U.S.) and can be purchased at any lumber yard or hardware store. The following tools are needed: saw, power drill, open end wrench, drill bits (1/2 inch and 1/8 inch, countersink) and scissors.

"Get rid of that smelly equipment!" If you play you will hear this from someone you live with. You can avoid this problem and keep your equipment in top shape if you dry it out each time you play.

The Parts necessary for the construction of the tree are:

2 six foot long 2 X 4s - (make sure they are straight)

6 2.5 inch long screws with flat heads

2 four foot long 1/2 inch dowels

1 five inch long lag screw - approx. 1/2 inch diameter

8 feet of rope - any size

1 small container of carpenter's glue

The parts, after being cut, are shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1.

To provide the parts for the tree some of the wood needs to be cut into pieces.

1. Cut all the small pieces from one of the 2 x 4s. This 2 x 4 will yield 6 parts needed in construction.

2. Measure from one of the 2 x 4s and cut two pieces that are 1 3/4 inches long. Label these piece "A" and "B."

3. Next measure and cut two pieces that are 1 foot long on one side and 5 inches on the other. This should be done by cutting horizontally on a 45 degree angle. Figure 2 illustrates the shape of these pieces. Label them "C" and "D."

Figure 2.

4. Cut a straight piece from the 2 x 4 which is 2 1/2 feet long. Label it "E"

5. Cut a straight piece from the 2 x 4 which is 1 1/2 feet long. Label it "F"

6. Next cut one of the dowels into to three pieces. The first should be 1 foot 3 inches long ("G".) The next should be 2 feet 6 inches long ("H".) This should leave a short piece which is 3 inches long ("I".)

7. Cut one piece out of the remaining dowel that is 3 feet 6 inches long ("J".) Cut the remaining dowel into two pieces both 3 inches long. Label them "K" and "L."

8. Cut the rope into 4 segments - each two feet long

9. Find part E which is a 2 x 4 and is 2 1/2 feet long. Drill a hole in the center of the length that is large enough to accept the 5 inch lag bolt. Use the countersink drill bit to enlarge the hole so that the head of the lag bolt can be tightened and to be flush with surface of the 2 x 4.

Insert the lag bolt into the hole and use the open end wrench to tighten. Turn the lag bolt into the hole until it is above the surface of the 2 x 4. Figure 3 illustrates this step. This is the long portion of the base

Figure 3.

10. Find parts A and B. Drill a hole in the center of each part to accept the 2 1/2 inch flat head screws. Use the countersink on each hole in order to make sure that the heads of the screws will be flush with surface of the 2 x 4.

11. Place these parts on the end part F which is a 2 x 4 that is 1 1/2 feet long. Drill through parts A and B into part F in order to ease the entry of the screws. Next, insert the the 2 1/2 inch screws into the hole and tighten. Figure 4 illustrates the assembly of this piece. This is known as the short portion of the base

Figure 4.

12. Drill a hole in the center of the short to allow the 5 inch lag screw to be attached. Next, screw the lag screw through the long base into the short base. Leave a small amount of the lag screw showing in preparation for attaching the main vertical 2 x 4. Figure 5 shows the completed base.

Figure 5.

13. Prepare the vertical riser by drilling holes in the remaining 6 foot long 2 x 4. First place the 2 x 4 on the completed base. If it is too tall for you to place a helmet on the top of the 2 x 4 adjust the following dimensions downward.

Drill three 1/2 inch holes all the way through the wide side of the 2 x 4 at 32 inches, 48 inches and 60 inches from one end. On one of the the narrow sides of the 2 x 4 drill a 1/2 inch hole approximately 1 inch deep at 34 inches and 52 inches from the end. On the opposite narrow side of the 2 x 4 drill a 1/2 inch hole 1 inch deep at 42 inches from the bottom. Figure 6 illustrates how the holes should be drilled.

Figure 6.

14. Drill a hole in the base of the vertical riser to accept the 5 inch lag bolt. Be very careful to drill the hole straight into the 6 foot 2 x 4. Screw the lag bolt completely through the base into the vertical riser. Figure 7 shows the completed attachment.

Figure 7.

Figure 8 illustrates the completed riser after it has been set upright.

Figure 8.

15. Attach the supports for the vertical riser by drilling holes through parts C and D for the 2 1/2 inch flat head screws. Countersink the holes and make sure the holes carry through into the vertical rise. Attach parts C and D to the vertical riser using the 2 1/2 inch flat head screws. Figure 9 shows the supports attached to the vertical riser.

Figure 9.

16. To make the final assembly push the longest dowel (J) through the lowest hole. Push the next size dowel (H) through the middle hole. Push the shortest dowel (G) into the top hole.

17. Put the three short dowels (I, K and L) into the holes drilled into the narrow sides of the vertical riser 2 x 4. A small amount of carpenter's glue in the holes will secure these dowels.

18. Tie the four pieces of rope into four loops. Put two loops on the each side of the tree on the lowest horizontal dowel. Figure 10 shows how the completed Hockey Tree should look.

Figure 10.

19. Place your hockey gear on the tree as illustrated in Figure 11. The helmet goes on top, then the skates, and elbow pads. The lowest dowel carries shin pads and gloves.

Figure 11.

20. Place your shoulder pads-chest protector on the top short dowel. Hang your breezers on the bottom dowel. You can use the short dowel on the back of the vertical riser to hang other pieces of gear such as groin protectors, garter belts etc.

Figure 12 shows the completed Hockey Tree with all the gear hung on it.

Figure 12.

You can finish your tree by painting it or covering it with clear finish. You may also want to add additional hooks for other hockey gear.

Your Hockey Tree should be used every time you play. Take your gear out of your hockey bag and put it on the tree as soon as you get home. If you store your gear in a room without a lot of circulation you may want to aim a fan at the tree.

When you get ready to go to your next game or practice take your gear off the tree and put it into the bag. Once you get into the habit of using your tree you will never forget any gear at home - one look and you will know it is all in your bag.

Enjoy your tree!