How to Make an Indoor Climbing Wall | I Like To Make Stuff

I built my kids an indoor climbing wall, it was super fun to make!
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In our old house I built a huge climbing wall in our backyard. With the renovation of the boys' bedroom almost completed, I thought it was a perfect time to rebuild that fun rock wall in the their room.
First, here is a safety disclaimer...I built this wall for my kids in a manner that I am completely confident in. I don't know your room layout and I don't know your kids abilities. If you want to build a wall yourself, awesome! But you are assuming all responsibility and risk in doing so (that said, it is pretty awesome and you should go make one).
I began this project by measuring out the space in the room and making a digital copy of it (Its been very helpful for me lately), being sure to accurately measure the ceiling pitch. I then mapped out the placement of some drop-in, 2x4 walls that would support the 3/4 inch plywood faces. I cut and nailed the wall pieces together and screwed them to the existing room studs with some massive lag screws. I translated the ceiling pitch to the angled wall section and used a bird's mouth cut at the end of the 2x4 so that those joists would sit on the header of the wall below it.
Once the walls were framed in place, I broke down the sheets of 3/4 inch plywood to cover each section. I made sure to mark out the location of the new wall studs on the plywood so that I could secure them together, but it also helped me identify where to NOT place the holes for the climbing holds. On the plywood, I marked out a geometric grid that would become the locations for a bunch of T-nuts. These pronged nuts will receive the bolts that attach the climbing holds to the wall. The grid allows you to change up the arrangement later if you wanted. After drilling the grid holes and hammering in the T-nuts, we mounted each plywood face to the framed-in walls.
Accurately measuring the space was crucial when putting up the faces, each piece fit together in an angular puzzle that turned out amazing. All that was left to do was to place the climbing holds and bolt them to the T-nuts. This was pretty erratic, but it allowed for different skill levels in different areas. I even got to use the hand hold that I made using a silicone mold. After I throughly tested out the wall, I let my kids go nuts. They really love this new awesome addition to their room and I'm really happy they have an area to be wild and crazy kids. If you liked this project, check out more of my work using the links above!
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How to Make an Indoor Climbing Wall | I Like To Make Stuff
• How to Make an Indoor ...
I Like To Make Stuff
/ iliketomakestuff

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Lots of people ask why I didn't just put the plywood directly on the wall. There needs to be negative space behind the plywood for the bolts to poke through. In my space, I could have removed the drywall and put the plywood on the studs but it's an attic space so that would let tons of air through .

[@noconz0727]

I would just put some furring strips on the back of the plywood for whatever offset you want from the wall. Then attach plywood directly to the wall.

[@noconz0727]

Cool project though. I might do this in my son's room.

[@doubledarefan]

Cover the studs with plastic sheeting with enough slack to keep from being poked by the hold screws, and seal all the seams airtight.

[@charltonwang]

Noconz0727 MC Agree. I ran my 2x4s flat and perpendicular to the studs and then mounted the plywood to them.

[@andrew6745]

I Like To Make Stuff I am climbing 9 times a week😆😆

[@nodin6286]

Little does this man know the impact he has on climbers in this current pandemic who now want to build home setups

[@gabrielvergara4633]

Amen for that

[@KungFuPandaria]

aye.that's why I'm here

[@OmahaRiverDonkey]

No kidding. I wish I had that setup.

[@calebheywood2678]

so true

[@NeverComplyEver]

PLANdemic

[@Sam-vv4zd]

Georgia Bob: How to make a bookcase, headboard, plywood vase Kentucky Bob: KATANAS AND CLIMBING WALLS AND AIR POWERED ROCKET LAUNCHERS

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Ha! :) Well, you can only make so many pieces of furniture before there's nowhere to put them anymore.

[@jamesgrimwood1285]

A climbing wall is just furniture you can climb on ;-) And paint it orange/blue, of course.

[@joeldowell5059]

This would be a great project to do while the kids are at school. If you were my dad, and I came home to this, I would be speechless.

[@StaxRail]

His house must be full of awesome features...

[@craftedworkshop]

So awesome! I actually think a wall like this with modular shelving and storage would look really cool, got my gears turning. And those outtakes... 😹

[@letsmake8166]

This is freaking awesome! Your kids are going to have such great memories of all the awesome stuff their dad made for them!

[@Nayde]

Let's Make aside from pictures as memories you can have these as an item or place where you can share stories with you grandkids (i know its way ahead) i guess this is how you envision great old days..

[@ahollatz]

My friends and I built a huge wall structure in our backyard. We used lock tight for the screws, and we painted the plywood with a sand/paint mixture. The texture helps a lot with climbing, but I don't think it would be absolutely necessary for a small space. Great job, I think you did everything about how it should be.

[@PenelopeKay-lc2it]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@jiin5276]

i am absolutely gonna make this some day

[@TheChipmunckMiester]

That starting transition made me chuckle so much! Very well explained, inspirational stuff!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

:) Thanks!

[@donovancorcoran1392]

Hi Bob- nicely built little wall. If you're still thinking about paint, one thing you might consider is adding some texture. There are textured paint available commercially for use on artificial climbing surfaces, but you can fairly easily make your own as well. Exterior paint in your choice of color with some sand mixed in can create a nice basic texture effect. Another option is to mix up some fast-set cement, color if desired and some sand/fine gravel. Apply like you would drywall mud, but don't pay much attention to getting it smooth. Edit- also, a quick safety tip. I noticed you and your wife climbing while wearing your wedding bands. Even on a relatively easy wall like this, climbing while wearing rings or other jewelry does present a risk of degloving injury (google at own risk). Back when I was a climbing instructor, I always told people no rings whatsoever, watches or tight fitting bracelets are ok as long as the band will break (rubber/plastic ok, metal or leather not) and nothing loose around the neck. Have fun, be safe!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks, we both wear Qalo (rubber) rings.

[@FrostBite1147]

Hey Bob! I’ve been a fan of you for years and I just made a climbing wall for my nephew. It’s a lean to design but I learned a lot by watching this video! It’s made out of cedar and pine 2x4s and we can fold it up or adjust it when he gets older.

[@seankennedy1391]

Reminds me of romans climbing wall !! Awesome job

[@lilywatters3619]

This is a neat project. I wish you'd mention some of the things that work, but you'd do differently if you had a do-over.

[@TheBadasscinema]

Usually indoor climbing walls have some kind of "sandy", rough surface soyou can use your feet on them. You get grip and you can challenge yourself by using hands on holds and feet on wall only. Great built! Kind regards from Germany!

[@camlennon8015]

A lot of public walls have a surface that is quite rough so that you can get some grip on the wall itself, you could always do a similar thing by mixing sand and paint together

[@3x3CustomTamar]

You’re officially the coolest dad ever. If my kids ever complained after I built this for them I would say “I built you a rock climbing wall.” And walk away.... hmmm. Now I think I need to make this for them. Ha!

[@bevin1609]

Dude, your like the ultimate dad.

[@williamlivingstone4326]

Made it and my son loves it! I'm making mostly wooden holds but I did try the resin ones that worked out pretty good too!

[@amirawadalla5866]

like your new intro

[@AnthonyBowman]

Super cool! Also just got my copy of Making Time! Excited to get to reading it!

[@ewelinarozakaniewska4406]

I love making stuff like you

[@Bikeeast]

Awesome, wish I had the space in the house to do something like this. Hoping to do one outside this summer.

[@FranksDIY]

My kids would have loved this when they were small. I guess theirs always the grand kids ? haha

[@goodgoat3096]

Usually it's kids that have their parents climbing the walls! Seriously, very cool!

[@Ragdllgarage]

If they don’t like the sanded cut out you can add a router round overturn sand and it will be much more pleasing to grab than a squared edge. From one wood worker/carpenter to the next this is fantastic

[@wordiebirdie]

Your workspace is so organized 😍 also, am I the only one that thinks the plywood before the holds were put on was extremely satisfying to look at?

[@drewmcqueen932]

Very cool, looks like the whole family will enjoy that for a very long time. What a nostalgic moment at 11:05 after attaching that hand hold you made years ago!

[@bigtonka82]

That's awesome. For the next rock wall you should build one outside, maybe a two pillar design with an archway in between them. You could have bars or something to that effect to get across from one side to the other. That's if you have the space and if your local city codes will allow it. Keep up the awesome projects.

[@roseyposeysims2618]

A dad who builds and craft as a carpenter is so attractive. You know how many toe rubs he'll get!!!

[@AlexMckillmore]

Good job, I did a similar size wall in my bedroom. However as I have no kids I have a rum dispenser at the top for doing shots mid climb.

[@retina6288]

I love all your videos but the cool stuff you do for your kids are definitely my favorites.

[@TheWoodYogi]

Fantastic work Bob :) That will give years of fun ॐ

[@Sonal_Mobile]

Really cool project that gets the kids (and grown-ups) away from the iPads and video games :) Great work!

[@allaudin2005]

I've built 9x9 feet steel frame fixed to the wall by chains. So, it's in vertical position while unused, and can be adjusted for any overhanging angle for action.

[@MaxMakerChannel]

Very nice. I build one myself a few years ago. Its good fun. In case you want that perfect rough texture, I made a tutorial for that.

[@Anakreo515]

I should show this to my in-laws, they love climbing!

[@spraycanman4490]

My sons and i go climbing both outdoor and indoor, they would love this in the house

[@robertarosteguy2245]

Thank you so much for this! It was your video that inspired me to build a wall for my kids. Very straight forward and it turned out awesome!

[@baseballrecruit]

Awesome! This and your bookcase trapdoor video are my favourites.. I love the projects you do for your kids/family. (I also like how you put your own mold front and centre. Loud and proud baby! haha)

[@BeInspiredwithDominic]

That is an awesome project, Bob. I had not even considered that a possibility, but I guess now I need to look into that. Thanks for sharing!

[@maxhallowell]

There was a Kreg pocket hole ad before your video. Didnt unsubscribe. Love the channel

[@cam9028]

Yes! Thanks for giving me so many ideas for my future dream home.

[@alexbrazeau9538]

Thank for the tutorial and have a nice day

[@mrguppy1016]

From here ..... to the ER ....nice job

[@MxMstrStve]

Very cool, Bob.

[@kylechristianquinn]

CHALKBOARD PAINT!!! Paint it with chalkboard paint and you can create/design lines to challenge friends, etc.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Yes!I had that idea but my wife didn't go for it :/

[@nicolascotugno9097]

Your tools are awesome! Congratulation from argentina

[@imconnected870]

when i was a child i absolutely loved these climbing walls its so much fun

[@thenorwegianmaker]

Aswome build! I wish I thought of that 25 years ago when my kids were at your kids age!

[@timothyhayes9724]

That's it fellas. Bob has done it. He has won the best dad ever.

[@starsonapollo2]

You could add a hammock onto it for extra sitting room!! Or a swing that could clip onto it at the cieling

[@Daxter-fl1te]

Hey Bob. You’ve inspired me to start woodworking. Wanted to say thanks.

[@isaiah5643]

AWESOME! You should add a crash pad at the bottom or like a rope pulley system for safety, of course I don’t know how tall it is but if you fell anywhere wrong it could break something.

[@lorenzomariasantini]

"i wanna make this room the ultimate boy room" you were not kidding at all!! goo idea!!

[@KurtBorg]

Love it! Been waiting for this one since the hand-hold you cast ages ago :D

[@timothyhayes9724]

ooooooo and he can 3D print new ones too!!!

[@hugopohlak5831]

Timothy Hayes kind of useless -takes a lot of time and uses a hell lot of filament

[@Tadpole0110]

I'm so jealous of your kids. I would have loved something like this. My mum did actually make a climbing wall for my school, (she attracted an audience of people wanting to see a women carpenter), but I never thought of a small one in a bedroom.

[@raycovierakaune6834]

OMG! There's gotta be an outtake from you hanging on there shouting "a climbing waaaaallll!!" Please share! xDDD

[@Iliketomakestuff]

There's several :)

[@MikeKapotsy]

I love the outtakes.

[@craigpereira6381]

Awesome.. dad of the year award..

[@FLyyyT_]

These hand holds require several holes to mount the plywood which also requires holes. Holes.

[@MESTER47]

I would used also glue, not only screws to attach the big plywoodsheet!

[@grahampike3690]

Amazing build!! I don’t have near enough talent to make this, but I still want to make one!!

[@kvisualtree]

What a fantastic video this is. Me and my son were watching this video with rapt attention. In awe of the skills 👍

[@magicrobharv]

Officially, the coolest dad ever!

[@vepristhorn8278]

Wow you have a steady hand! I would not attempt some of those cuts without a guide

[@noelsabbath9194]

Cool background music and this is a great build and a super cool video

[@muukadventures3629]

Good stuff this is the next project 👍

[@jakoball]

so cool! I bet kids love it. maybe just extend the crash pads out a bit as well, because you tend to fall further back when climbing on the slope. You can also make some wooden holds in forms of angled cut strips or something similar. I just recommend a ring-porous wood like oak, black locust or something similar (wood like beech or maple get really slippery after a while).

[@kaziahscats]

You can actually get a job by going to people's houses and installing cool things. Like this.

[@apollojohnson3319]

I love the plug idea!

[@georgel5308]

Ur kids must love it. Great job

[@purduephotog]

And structural bolts to boot! :)

[@ralphlea7595]

Holds/holes bonus feature made me crease, great video

[@rosered8691]

Brilliant project and very clearly explained. Thanks.

[@oil2985]

Just amazing

[@gabesolis4402]

Cool! Im moving soon and i might put this in my new house!

[@Geeksmithing]

Nice to see you made it to scale.

[@WatchMeDIYIt]

Aww, man! I bet the kids love it! So cool!!!

[@PJGalati]

Cool addition to the kids room and it looked like Ginny was enjoying it too. :P

[@jakehodge8596]

That's really cool.

[@BrendanEvan]

The most impressive thing Bob's built is a KZbin channel with 3 million subscribers.

[@lepieguy9858]

Fantastic video, thank you so much!

[@josiahjack455]

10:24 Behold! The last time that outlet was ever used!

[@jdpjamesp]

Wish I had these sorts of skills. Would love to do something like this!

[@stephenwgreen78]

That's an awesome project. Love making stuff for my boys

[@evanbrock8766]

Hey man soooo I went crazy awhile back and built a huge wall in my dads barn... One guy said paint with sand, that would work but what I did was use epoxy and sand to coat some of the wall. I also made some homemade home with the same mixture. Just an idea on how to coat it. If you haven't already. This is really awesome though, good job!

[@AppalachianLife]

Nice build. My kids like to be outside so I'm going to build one outdoors.

[@smurf9961]

You should make a snooker/pool table would be great.

[@judefairburn1599]

Thanks bob so much I’ve been wanting to do this

[@arteusghost1629]

Just Woooowww!!!

[@oisinmcgovern2162]

him putting does really long screws in the wall was so satisfying

[@JohnnySp4rkles]

Nice! You could paint it a medium grey and let the kids go wild with paints (or spray paints, depending on how brave you are letting kids go wild with em).

[@gregbowie3695]

Man this is so timely, I've been thinking of doing this in the basement

[@77martinv]

I was waiting for this project as I have a box of holds in my shed waiting to be used... Nice one

[@fedrooster]

Coolest dad ever award goes to Bob from I Like To Make Stuff.

[@user-nr3bt3ty2q]

I wish i had a dad like you

[@samuelroberts334]

Pretty cool

[@alexbold2146]

Can’t wait for a full housetour

[@MikeTheMaker1]

Very clever idea, makes me wish I was your kid