How to Build a Universal Bike Stand Essay Example

*Need to know: ( “ ) means inches.

List of supplies needed (ones that are optional make the process easier):

Hardware:

Box of 25 or more 3” wood-screws or deck screws

½” long staples 

Tools:

Drill with same drill bit as screws 

Miter saw (optional, makes cuts more precisely)

Hand saw (if you do not have a miter saw)

Measuring tape

Carpenters square (or something with a 90 degree inside corner)

Scissors 

Miscellaneous: 

Soft Cloth ⅛” thick by 2 feet long and 10” wide

Wax (can use any kind)

Wood

- 2x4’s (actual dimensions are 3.5”x1.5”)

2 sections 16.5” in length

1 section 58” in length

2 sections 3.5” in length

4 sections 4.25” in length

2 sections 13.5” in length 

1 section 18.25” in length

- 1x3.5 inch boards

2 sections 28” in length

Building the Top Insert 

Grab the 58” long 2x4 and lay it flat on the ground. Place one 16.5” long 2x4 on each side of the 58” long 2x4 so that they form a 90 degree angle and only stick out on one side. *The boards should be orientated so that the wider parts are facing each other, this should create an “L” shape with a space between the 16.5” boards which looks like two “arms” reaching out.* Next, fasten with four screws EACH 16.5” board to hold them in place to the 58” board. 

With the “arms” facing you, fasten with two screws one of the 3.5” 2x4’s 1” below either the left or right arm depending on preference; this will determine which side the shelf is on. *It should be oriented the same as the 58” board.* Now simply insert the 6.5” side of the 6.5x1x18 inch board in the 1” gap. This creates a small removable shelf to set tools on while working on your bike. 

Next, cut the cloth into two one foot sections and wrap each section around each arm tightly and use four staples on each one to keep it from unwrapping.

Lastly, rub wax on the end of the 58” board opposite from “arms”, coating an area at least 13” from the end (This will make it slide into the base of the stand a lot easier). 

You are now complete with this part of the process.

Building the Base

Grab the two 13.5” 2x4’s and place them so that the waxed end of the 58” board is sandwiched between them with the wide parts facing each other and they don’t stick out past the end of the 58” board. *They must be oriented the same way as the 58” board.* 

Place two 4.5” 2x4’s (for both the top and bottom) on each wider side of the configuration with the wider part of the 4.5” board facing it and so that they are oriented to where the width is the same as the configuration and is not sticking out, now the three boards are sandwiched in between the four 4.5” boards. 

With four screws each, fasten the 4.5” 2x4’s to the 13.5” 2x4’s ONLY, do NOT fasten anything to the 58” board. 

*You may now slide out the 58” board (“L” shape) and set aside.*

Take the 18.5” board and do a 45 degree cut on both sides so that the board looks like the base of a triangle with the wide part of the board facing the ground so that the angles are pointing  upwards and towards the center of the board. *Start the cut at the end of it then cut towards the center of the board so you do not shorten the board.*

Now fasten with four screws the 18.5” board to ONE of 4.25” boards so that the 4.25” board is exactly in the middle of the 18.5” board with the longer part of the 18.5” board facing away from the 4.25” board. *The 18.5” board should be oriented the same as the 4.25” board.* 

This should create an upside down “T” shape and should STAY oriented this way for the remainder of the steps to avoid confusion.

Next, take both the 1x3.5 inch boards (these are the legs) and perform a 45 degree cut on only ONE side of each board, so that when the wide part of the boards are facing down, the angles point upwards and slant toward the center of the boards.

Take ONE 1x3.5” board and align it so that the 45 degree cut is flat against the 4.25” board directly opposite from the side of the “T” the 18.5” board is on and that the 45 degree cut on the 18.5” board is flat against the 1x3.5” board. *If cut correctly, everything should meet up nicely*

Fasten both meeting points with two screws each.

Repeat steps 9 and 10 for the other side.

Putting Everything Together

Now that everything is fastened together, take the waxed end of the “L” shape and slide it back into the slot you took it out of originally. Both the “arms” and the “legs” should be pointing in the same general direction. *If the “L” shape does not slide in easily, apply more wax which acts as a dry lubricant*

You may now insert your bike’s seat tube into the space between the two cloth covered “arms.”

You have now completed the Bike Stand build and are ready to use it.