From Panama, Central America (don’t ya know) – Courtesy of Milorad Vardic Beacraft

Matt in Ohio sent these pics of some driveway alterations he’s been working on. He’s taking a unique approach of pouring the concrete in a mold and then digging out a spot for it on the side of his driveway. He says he’s got several more planned. You can check out his progress here.

A reader sent in this shot of a DIY project that he was involved with last summer. It was under a bridge that spanned a small creek. Looks like there was no concrete whatsoever (aside from the support pillar) until they got involved. I asked for some more pictures to get a better overview, but I haven’t heard back in a week or so, so this is it. I can’t even tell you what state this is in. Keep sending in your DIY pics.

On Sunday we set the coping (Tedders Stone) at MC’s bowl… well, Mike Swm and Burke were the chief technicians. The rest of us were apprentice “hose boys” and the like. There was a lot more fiddling and adjusting than I thought there would be. It was pretty straight forward, but time consuming. The whole thing took about as much time as the bowl pour itself. I took a couple pictures before settling down to work, and then Grover got behind the lens. The finished bowl looks beautiful. The tile really adds a lot to the end result. Three days and it should be ready to ride.

I got a lot of positive response from the time lapse of MC’s bowl pour, and one suggestion to bring it up to date with some actual skating. Well kids, the skating inside the bowl has been put on hold now that the tile is in mid process. Actually, the coping has go on before the wheels can hit the crete again. MC doesn’t want to risk cracking the top layer of tiles. I snapped some pics of the tile job last night.

I’ve got this mental notion that everyone in New Zealand is sort of nerdy but very interesting. I don’t know if Flight of the Conchords has had a positive or negative effect on the public image of New Zealand, but it’s one of my favorite shows. I’m probably annoying the hell out the guy from New Zealand who sent me these pictures by bringing it up. Then again, Eagle vs. Shark just adds fuel to the fire… Sorry Richard. Check out some DIY action from a crew in Papakura, New Zealand after the jump. I’m not down with the local lingo, so someone will need to fill me in on the definition of “splur.”

Now that MC’s bowl is in the finishing stretch, here’s something else to follow. Josef Heffner has demoed his DIY backyard bowl complex and in favor of a new expanded layout. Nearby, Danimal is working on building his own board press, to be constructed with veneer he plans to buy here. If you’ve got something you’re working on, we’d love to hear from you too.

It’s… imminent. Photoshop work by Kvon.

This D.I.Y. spot in SE Portland only lasted a couple of weeks. The spot had been home to a wooden bench made by skaters for at least a year before this bank went up. The neighborhood reaction was positive, but obviously someone in the City of Portland wasn’t impressed. The builders opted for the “it’s better to ask forgiveness than to ask for permission” tactic, but it didn’t work out, obviously. I applaud the effort, but in this case the location was too ostentatious. Choose your renegade spots wisely kids. In a situation like this (a well used public park, already frequented by skaters) it would be advisable to get it sanctioned first. Write up a nice proposal. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but use a spell checker. Talk about the benefits and address negative concerns. Spin it as a community project. Get a petition signed by neighbors and park users, than take all this to the Parks department. The fact that you aren’t asking for money might help your chances. Stress the small overall size of the obstacle and minimal impact on the surroundings. Good luck! Thanks to… I’m not telling. That kid in the green shirt is…

Ryan Hass sent in shots of his setup and some boards he’s been screenprinting with the help of our DIY skateboard screenprinting tutorials. Oaq Wood is the name of the game. The last board pictured is a benefit board for BCSA.