As per AKC regulations, each panel of the A-frame is 8 or 9 feet long and 35 to 49 inches wide. Since all plywood comes in 8 foot lengths, a discussion on the intelligence of the person who decided on a 9 foot panel is beyond the scope of this web page. Because of the weight and bulkiness of a 9 foot A-frame, I will decline any offer to construct a 9 foot A-frame. However, a 9 foot A-frame can be built, I just will not do it. I would NOT construct an A-frame that is 48 inches wide. This would be too heavy and too difficult to construct in my basement where all agility construction takes place.

Each panel or section is constructed from 19/32 inch CDX plywood and is 36 inches wide and 8 feet long. I would estimate that each panel weighs approximately 50 to 55 pounds.

All Wood Structure:



The under-structure of an 8 foot panel has two 2 by 3's running the length and secured about 4 inches from each edge. Three stiffeners are added at 14 inches from each end and across the center to prevent the plywood from warping. A 4 inch piece of plywood is glued to the top end. This beefs up the plywood to a thickness to just over 1 inch where the hinges are attached. Three hinges are secured with 1¼ inch machine screws. The hinges of each panel are connected with a 36 inch steel rod with a 90 degree bend for easier insertion.

The contact zone is the standard 42 inches. When upright, two sets of chain secure the A-frame. Turnbuckles are used to tighten the chain after the A-frame is in the up right position. For regulation height, the peak of the A-frame is 4 feet 11 inches high. The picture below left shows the A-frame in a training position.

   

Construction techniques evolve as products are developed. Case in point. The A-frame that is constructed with 1/2 inch thick plywood uses 3 cross braces. I constructed an A-frame from 5/8 inch thick plywood. To reduce the wobble and to make it more rigid, 4 cross braces are secured to the bottom side. The unfinished picture of a 5/8 inch A-frame is shown here.