BUILD YOUR RINK WITH EASE
Please read before installing your Icebox Rinks products.
BUILDING THE FRAME.
Once you have determined the size and location of your rink and have it "staked" out, and have your materials ready to go (Ice Vices, boards, spanning brackets, stakes, etc.), you are all set to begin building the frame of the rink. Ice Vice connector brackets are easily assembled using the hardware provided. One Ice Vice will be completely assembled for your reference. The Ice Vices are designed to be used with wood spanning boards (e.g. 2"x10"x12') such as seen in Figure 1. Many different sizes or materials can be easily accommodated. To build the frame, begin by constructing a full corner (ie; boards inserted in Ice Vice bracket at right angles), as this will provide support as you move along. Use the Ice Vices to connect spanning boards arranged in a rectangle formation in the size of your choosing. The boards are secured by simply dropping them into the guided slots and then tightening the vices, there is no drilling or screwing required! Easily stack boards for higher walls as desired. As you can see in this picture the possibilities for you rink dimensions and board configurations are numerous and completely up to you!
Use the same Ice Vice for corners and sides!
Once you are satisfied that the frame is complete and straight, it is time to go around and tighten each vice. Add spanning board braces as needed on center point of low side walls and to connect stacked boards. We recommend screws on the corner Ice Vice brackets using the holes provided.
Lastly, insert stakes in the slots provided on the Ice Vices and spanning brackets, and pound them in with a hand held mallet or sledgehammer. Be careful with your fingers! NOTE: the stakes are meant to be pounded into the ground no more than 10", be sure to understand where underground pipes exist (ie; sprinkler, gas) before proceeding.
INSTALLING THE LINER.
Installing you're rink liner is an easy task if you follow a few basic rules. First, It's VERY important to be careful with your liner every step of the way to avoid rips and tears. Installation can be done by one or two persons working together (as long as both are careful). Second, don't try installing your liner at the last second during a storm or in windy conditions. Try to plan your liner installation around the weather to ensure you have calm, dry conditions if possible, ideally a day or two before cold winter conditions are forecast to set in. Once your liner is installed you can begin to immediately fill your rink with water!
We recommend liners (aka tarps, plastic sheets) to be 6ML in thickness, which will protect your liner against the elements and pucks, but NOT skate blades or shovel blades and the like. For near fool proof protection against rips and cuts, we recommend our inside boards (see below and under products). Liners can be obtained online or locally to avoid shipping costs. Clear plastic sheeting works just fine and is cheaper than white versions. For sizes, we recommend enough for at least a 4ft overhang over the frame boards, which you can trim back once your rink is filled. Your liner will likely come in a roll about 4-5t long.
To start, carefully walk through and inspect the rink surface area to ensure it is clear of sharp objects such as nails, screws sticks and the like. If there are any large gaps anywhere under the boards (openings >1.5"), we suggest plugging these with foam (noodles, pipe insulation, etc.) cut to size. Now, place the unrolled liner at the center of one of the long ends of your rink, just inside the boards. Carefully, roll out your liner lengthwise down the middle of your rink, creating a strip. Then, starting on one side, carefully pull and unfold the liner widthwise by pulling and moving down the length of the rink until your liner is fully unfolded and drapes over your boards. Do the same to the other side. Once you have the liner fully unfolded and over the sides of the boards, you will now want to walk around the outside of your rink, pulling and straightening the liner to remove creases and even it out. Once you are satisfied with the liner placement, secure it to the walls with the liner clamps provided. Now turn on the hose and fill!
INSTALLING LIGHT AND NET POLES.
Our light and net poles are very easy to install. Just drop the bottom of the pole into the Ice Vice slot and it will be secured. Easy enough! Our poles are easily adjustable up to 9', and are equipped with hooks secured in the top of each one. These hooks can be used to simultaneously hold both individual lights or strings lights and hockey netting behind each goal! One could even install wrap around netting for the whole rink, the possibilities are numerous!
INSTALLING INSIDE PLASTIC BOARDS.
The Icebox Rinks inside plastic boards are another very easy and intuitive installation. Each plastic board has at least two mounted brackets on it's backside, and two holes for carrying. The brackets are simply set on top of the board frame over top of the liner... and that's all! They'll fit your frame boards perfectly and securely! Our boards will hold your liner firmly in place, and are height adjustable to create level wall heights of 20" or more. Our inside boards provide near fool proof protection against rips and cuts commonly caused by skates blades, hockey sticks and shovels hitting the walls, and create a realistic rink look with rounded corners, and awesome puck action to match! Perfect for an intense backyard rink tournament!