What type of wood?

Question:I am trying to build an 18'x18' wrestling ring. Because steel is SO expensive, I plan to have the supports of the ring made from wood. I was wondering if there are any places I can find 18 feet long boards? What type of wood should it be - for a wrestling ring?

Also, Plywood - Where can I get plywood? Does it come in 9'x9' pieces?

Thanks

Answers:
There are problems with your idea...

First of all, the frame of a wrestling ring is steel for a reason:

1. It will have to support an enormous amount of dead load and dynamic force.

2. The posts will have to be strong enough in "Tension" to maintain thick tensile ropes and even stronger to absorb the dynamic force that will applied to those ropes.

3. A real wrestling ring has a MASSIVE spring under the center of the ring and (usually) strong 2x8 floating planks are used for dramatic sound effect under the mat itself.

My advice:
Go and visit a small wrestling show and see if someone will let you see the mechanics that go into the seaming simple task you're about to undertake.
There is an awful lot of physics and engineering involved to keep people from SERIOUSLY injuring themselves.

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Try your local hardware store or lumber yard. Then check the viability of using timber instead of steel? You could strike problems with the former. Good luck anyway!

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just use 2"x 4"' Douglas fir. you can find at any major home improvement store and most sheets of plywood come in 4'x8',4'10',4'x12' sheets

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