We have all seen the Zamboni at the local rink or at a Hockey game. We all know what it does (to a certain extent). A homemade Zamboni called the "homeboni" will do some of the same ...
A "homeboni" will do some of the same on your backyard rink, but won't cost you a small fortune. A homeboni is a device made from pipe (pvc or steel) or hose that has some kind of crossbar with holes in it. The holes are small and control the amount of water that is dispensed. Some also have a towel or mat that is pulled behind the homeboni to help distribute the water evenly.
I have built my own and use it with hot and cold water to resurface or repair my rink. I do not know what I did without it. The basic plans are as follows...
Parts list:
1 - 1/2" ball valve
2 - 1/2" PVC Elbow 90
4 - 1/2" PVC Elbow 45
1 - 1/2" PVC "T"
1 - 1/2" PVC Threaded male to 1/2" female (not threaded)
1 - 1/2" Brass Hose Adapter
2 - 10'x1/2" PVC Pipe
1 - Washing Machine Hose
1 - OLD Towel (folded in half and sewn closed)
String
Assembly:
- Cut a 36" piece of the PVC Pipe to use as the crossbar
- Attach the two 90 Elbows with PVC Cement
- Cut two 5" pieces of PVC Pipe
- Attach to the 90 Elbows with PVC Cement
- Attach a 45 Elbow to the end of each of the 5" pipes with PVC cement
- Wrap the threads of the brass fitting with plumbers pipe wrap and screw into the ball valve
- Wrap the threads of the PVC fitting with plumbers pipe wrap and screw into the ball valve
- Cut two 4" pieces of PVC Pipe and attach to the PVC "T" so they are the top of the "T" with PVC cement
- Attach the remaining 45 Elbows to the ends of the 4" pieces of pipe with PVC cement
- Cut two equal length pieces of PVC Pipe to attach between the 45 Elbows with PVC cement
- Cut a piece of PVC Pipe that will go ftom the "T" to the ball valve giving yourself enough length to hold the homeboni comfortable and attach with PVC cement
- Let PVC cement fuly dry before continuing
- Use string to sew the sides of the towel closed
- Use the string to attach the towel to the crossbar so that is about 2" away from the crossbar and evenly spaced
- Drill holes into the crossbar every inch or so so that when the homeboni is laid on the ice the holes face the ice surface spraying slightly toward you (you will be pulling the homeboni behind you)
- Attach the Washing Machine Hose to the brass fitting and connect to your garden hose