Cheap makiwara boards

[GaryMo]

How effective would a cheap makiwara board be, like the one I've linked to below?

I can see the attraction from a pricing point of view and easy hanging in the garage but would they be effective for conditioning of the hands?

http://www.blitzsport.com/Wooden-Makiwara

[Kuma]

Get an old tire and a few other cheap easy materials and you'll have a far more effective makiwara than that.

[Kevin Wilson]

Would not be even cheaper to build your own ? Isn't that how they were invented any way as a cheap way to condition your self. Never attempted to make one mind you !

[Terrierpike]

I made one with thick twine ($2) and a left over broken pine board 12x6x1 (started out 12x12x1 til i broke it, haha) from a grading. I just took the twine and wrapped it around the board until there was about 1/4" of tightly wound twine covering about 8" of striking area. I then took 2 deck screws (free in the garage) and drove them into an exposed stud in my garage.

For $2 and 10 minutes of effort it works great to harden my hands, however, I still think that for true power feedback and muscle conditioning, a heavy bag is better.

[Kevin Wilson]

I made one with thick twine ($2) and a left over broken pine board 12x6x1 (started out 12x12x1 til i broke it, haha) from a grading. I just took the twine and wrapped it around the board until there was about 1/4" of tightly wound twine covering about 8" of striking area. I then took 2 deck screws (free in the garage) and drove them into an exposed stud in my garage.

For $2 and 10 minutes of effort it works great to harden my hands, however, I still think that for true power feedback and muscle conditioning, a heavy bag is better.

I'm now going to attempt to make one

[Vagabond]

Has anyone tried this type. I have been debating on purchasing one.

http://www.amazon.com/AK-Floor-Standing-Reversible-Makiwara/dp/B002MATCDC

[Kodakmint]

I build my own out of some wood, rubber, and leather and it turned out really nice