I use two pieces of 3/4 inch plywood glued and screwed together for the base to give a solid foundation. The canes are 3/4 inch black threaded pipe and the height can easily be changed for a longer pipe as you grow in your training. I have been building and using these materials for over 20 years with great success! These are durable and can be customized to hand size and height. The blocks shown here are wider than the standard. Prices vary depending on requirements. The range is $175.00+tax and up.