A hockey puck is an important part of the game. It’s one of the few items that you can’t play without. Now that you’ve decided to join the big leagues and play professionally, you’ll need to invest in some high-quality pucks to get the job done. If you’re looking for a project to build up your DIY skills or need some inspiration for a birthday gift, this blog post is for you. Here’s how to make a hockey puck.
Table of Contents
The Materials You’ll Need
To start, you’ll need a handful of high-quality and durable materials. These are what you’ll use to make a hockey puck and it’s important to get the best quality for the job. Here’s a short list:
- Hard rubber
- Plastic
- Acrylic
- Nylon
- Polyester (Tensile strength: 340-450 MPa (50-65 PSI))
- Rayon (20% minimum, 45% preferred)
- Lacquer (Optional)
- Stainless steel
- Basket weave (Stainless steel preferred)
That’s a lot of materials to choose from and if you want to make sure your puck is perfect, you won’t want to rush into this project. Take your time and go at a good pace. You can always add more materials as you go along.
Step 1: Measure And Mark
Before you start cutting any of the materials, you’ll need to first measure and mark them. Use the measuring device on your laser leveler to make sure the dimensions are perfect. This will make your life a lot easier later on when you’re cutting the materials to size. Using a laser leveler is essential because it’s much more accurate and precise than other measuring devices such as calipers or measuring sticks. A laser leveler will also save you a lot of time and effort compared to other measuring devices. It’s all about having the right tool for the job.
Step 2: Cut The Materials To Size
Once you have your materials properly measured and marked, it’s time to start cutting them. Use a sharp, thin blade on a hand-held grinder and carefully cut the materials against the grain to give the best possible surface for the paint to stick to. There’s no need to rush this step. Take your time and do it right. You can always cut additional materials if you run into problems during the process. This step is all about having the proper materials and ensuring the best surface conditions for the paint to stick to.
Step 3: Sand And Finish Varnishing
Now that your materials are ready, you can start applying the finishing touches. This step is all about ensuring the best possible quality for your hockey puck. The best way to do this is by using the right materials and tools for the job. You’ll want to use a medium grit sandpaper and a spray varnish. It’s important to choose the right grits of sandpaper and the right spray varnish for the job. A spray varnish with a high gloss finish will give your hockey puck a shiny smooth exterior. It is also possible to use a brush to apply the varnish instead of a spray can but using a brush can be a cumbersome and time-consuming process. When doing this by hand, it’s all about having the patience to go over the whole surface and make sure it’s even and completely covered. If you’re going to be using a spray can, make sure you get the best one for the job and don’t just choose the cheapest one because they’re usually made of plastic and have less dosing controls. This can lead to you overwetting or underwetting the surface which can leave you with either a water-logged or a sticky puck respectively. Lastly, make sure you clean the brushes at the end of every job to ensure they’re ready for the next one. This one step alone can make a massive difference in the finish and overall appearance of your hockey puck. You’ll definitely want to do this at least once before you put the final touches on the project.
Step 4: Apply The Finish Coat
Once you have the basic shape of your hockey puck designed, it’s time to apply the final coat. This coat is going to be white in color but you can choose any color you like. Once the coat is dry, it’s time to add more coats if needed. This final coat is going to be used to balance out all the color variations and act as a base for the paint you’ll be choosing for the exterior. If you made the proper measurements and cuts during the previous step, applying the final coat should be a quick and easy process. The key is to make sure all the surfaces are completely clean and dry before you start adding more coats. If there are any areas that are not completely dry, it can lead to a cloudy appearance on the surface which you don’t want. White is a very neutral color and will go well with most other colors you choose for the exterior. It will also go well with the color of your vehicle as long as it’s not pure white so you might want to choose something a little closer to the bone than pure white.
Step 5: Final Touches
Now that you have a nice and shiny hockey puck, it’s time to add the finishing touches. These are the parts that will make your project look professional and unique. The best way to do this is by adding color. If you’re going to be using acrylic paint, choose a color that contrasts well with the white base coat you applied earlier. If you’re using latex paint, you can opt for a darker color to give it more depth. Once the paint is dry, add as many coats as needed to give the gloss finish you desire. You can use any color you like but make sure it’s not something too dark because then it might wash away during use. The last step is to add a clear coat either via a spray can or by wiping it on with a cloth. The choice is yours but make sure you add this last coat for the best possible shine.
Aside from the materials you’ll need to make a hockey puck, you’ll also need a bit of technical knowledge. This includes knowing how to use a laser leveler and how to apply the final coat in a way that gives you the best possible sheen. Even after you have all the proper tools and the necessary materials, it’s still not enough. You need to know how to use them properly to get the best possible results. It’s all about having the patience to learn and follow the steps in order. This is going to be a long-term project and it will take some time before you see the results. But, if you do everything right, you’ll end up with a high-quality and durable hockey puck that you can use to catch the puck the next time it’s dropped.