My idea is to use a 2 x 4 type framing and add a pool liner for the water.do you think that would work???3 1/2 inches of ice????is that enough???

Ca not be done

My dad used to flood our patio every winter. He made a 2x4 frame but no liner. We lived in MN so it froze up fast. 3 1/2 is more than enough. You can also buy ice rink kits if your finances permit.

Growing up in Chicago, a lot of our parents did it for us kids. They would take that corrugated edging & make a ''frame''. You needed to make sure the grass was very short first of all & all sticks & rocks were out, & also that u had a level surface to work with. They would use a hose to fill the bottom just to coat the bottom & create a base. Once that froze they could fill it the rest of the way & let it freeze. l guess it was about 3 or 4 inches thick by the time it was done. A pool liner would work too, but they way we did it as kids gave us a much bigger rink. Good times, good times..

You do not need a pool liner. Unless u get it perfectly flat, u will end up with different thicknesses of ice with weak spots.

The best temperature is minus 5 celcius & lower. But u can build a frame with 2x4 ahead of time & lay it out. Make sure you're on a flat LEVEL surface. To minimize leakage under the frame, try using plywood strips attached to the frame.

Once well below freezing, start filling with cold water. It will freeze faster & give u a base. You will need about 2 inches depth. Once well frozen, start filling in the low points. Warm water works best because it takes longer to freeze so it levels better. Once u have a good surface, u can improve it by using warm water & ''massaging'' it with a large felt pad. Think of what a Zamboni looks like, dragging a cloth behind.