How to Make a Climbing Pegboard Wall

A climbing pegboard wall is found in many gyms throughout the country. The pegboard wall is used placing pegs in the holes and then pulling yourself up. You can climb the board or do pull-ups. While you can purchase a climbing pegboard from gym supply stores, it is not necessary to waste the money. The article that follows will instruct you on how to make a climbing pegboard wall.

Step 1 - Pegboard Wall Base

A climbing pegboard has to be able to not only stay on a wall safely but be able to hold the weight of a person climbing it. Place one piece of the plywood on the work surface. Apply the liquid nails to the plywood around the edges about an inch in from the edges. Apply a ribbon of liquid nails in the center of the plywood so that it covers at least 4 vertical inches. Place a second piece of plywood on top of the first sheet and apply the glue in the same manner. Continue until you have three layers of plywood. Put the clamps on the plywood with one clamp on each side. You may have up to three clamps per side. This helps keep the plywood together so it will not slip. Wait about a day for the liquid nails to dry before moving forward.

Step 2 - The Wall Section

The pegboard layers you made have to attach securely to the wall. This is where the fourth piece of plywood is used. Use the stud finder to locate where the studs are in the wall. Mark the first stud and the one next to it as you want the pegboard wall to be attached to two studs. Use the drill, the screwdriver bit and screws to attach this piece of plywood to the studs. Place two screws at the top and bottom of the plywood six inches in from both sides. Install a pair of screws every two feet.

Step 3 - Making the Peg Holes

Use your yardstick and measure four inches in from the top, bottom and both sides of the stacked plywood. From these marks make another set of two every 8 inches. Make sure they end at the 4-inch perimeter you marked off. Attach the 1 3/4-inch drill bit and begin drilling each of the marks you made on the plywood. When you are finished you will have the completed pegboard. Take the dowel rod and insert it into each hole to ensure a good fit. If the holes are a little tight, you can use sandpaper to round them out.

Step 4 - Finishing the Pegboard Wall

Place liquid nails on the plywood attached to the wall and to the drilled stack. Press them together, then insert screws through each corner and another on each side every 2 vertical feet. Cut the dowel rod so that you have two pieces each 7 inches long.