Skating is an exciting outdoor sport for almost every age group, from kids to adults. Who will resist an adventurous ride down the street or across the circular ramp to perform distinct tricks? Almost every one of you adores it. A skateboard ramp is a staged route made of wood to provide an elevated place for skating. Learn how to build a small skateboard ramp in just a few easy steps with our comprehensive guide. Perfect for beginner skateboarders and seasoned skaters alike, our instructions will have you skating like a pro in no time.
Most skaters are fond of skateboard ramps and desire to make one in their vacant backyard or the vast farmhouses. Though appearing a bit complex, it’s not difficult to build, provided with a proper set of guidelines and materials. The following article unfolds the easiest way to make a skateboard ramp. It is a perfect guide t4o practice skateboarding for beginners.
Materials & Tools Needed for Building A Skateboard Ramp
Without a perfect bolt and screw, you can not stand a ramp. Thus, all the bolts and screws of the required sizes should be bought. Also, you need a proper tool to fix all those bolts, screws, wood, and steel to make it functional and durable. It will help you to avoid wobbly skateboards.
Materials
- Lumber
- Plywood
- Plywood
- OD Steel Pipe
- Paint
- Screws of different sizes
- Bolts
- Washers
- Nuts
- Footing
- Masonite
Tools Needed For Making the Ramp Functional
- Tape Measure
- A Pencil
- Clamps and Hammer
- Combination square
- Drill & Drill Bits
- Circular jig saw
- Chalk Line
Steps To Follow While Building A Small Skateboard Ramp
A skateboard ramp less than six feet tall and lacking “vert,” or a vertical transition in the sloped ramp, is referred to as a “Small Ramp.” The article ensures the construction of a 3-foot tall, 12-foot wide, and 24-foot long ramp. It is fantastic for both beginners and experts and is ideal for casual skating. These steps will help you make the best wooden skateboards, or boards made from other mentioned materials.
Make The Foundation
You will need a flat area of land to place your ramp, regardless of its exact size. The ramp must rest on level ground; thus, in an ideal scenario, it would either be placed on a flat concrete pad or, at the least, on a roomy level area.
The first step is to select the structure’s exact location in the yard. Then, we utilize Concrete footing (12″ x 12″ x 8″) and install one at each corner. The ones near the top of our yard become heavily buried because of the downward slope, while those at the other end are above ground.
All four corners are checked using a line level to ensure they are square, uniformly spaced, and level with one another. The ramp’s weight will cause the foundation to sag gradually over time. Place a 3-4″ thick layer of gravel underneath each footing to maintain its level for a very long period.
Cut The Slopped Transitions
The sloped transitions that will be on the sides of the ramp must first be laid out and cut. While constructing four distinct quarter pipes for this ramp, each has a transition on either side. Therefore, we must create 8 of them.
All those 3/4-inch cuts can make two transitions out of a single 4′ x 8′ sheet of plywood of high quality. You need to put two sheets side by side on the ground and sketch the pivot point, which is 6′ 3.5 from the bottom and 2 in from the side. Given that 2x4s are 3.5, This will give us a slope with a 6′ radius. Once marked, screw it in and then secure a string to it.
After everything is laid out, use the jigsaw to cut out the shape and utilize it as a template to structure the other seven parts, being careful to make them all as similar as possible.
Making The Quartpipes
The one upright screw 2×4 is placed on each corner of the transition and is laid on its side at the top of the slope. Then, every eight inches of framing, the quarter pipes till you get to the bottom (upright). They spaced out at eight along the top and cut some shorter pieces that fit underneath the 2x4s at the top of the deck to provide additional stability.
Position and Level Everything
When all four quarter pipes were complete, we placed them all carefully on the earlier-built footings. Move them carefully because they are obviously hefty! Once all four are in place, check to ensure they are as level and square to one another as feasible. At this point, you should place the concrete pavers spaced 4′ apart to support the weight of the ramps.
Build Two Flat Ground Sections
You must employ identical methods to construct two flat ground sections connecting everything between the quarter pipes. One of them measures 8′ long and 8′ wide. The second one is 8′ long and 4′ wide. Then, deduct 3 inches to account for the width of the two 2x4s on the ends, giving us a length of 93″ for the longer part and 45″ for the broader one. For the wide section, (15) 2×4 pieces are needed, and 9 for the shorter section. These features are essential to construct best skateboards for long distance.
Align & Bolt Everything Together
Now you have to use 0.5″ galvanized bolts to lock everything together once it is all set up and straight. Next is to fasten the pieces together to ensure everything stays in position. Next, we drilled holes through both pieces for the bolts. Lastly, install the two bolts along the top, two along the bottom, and two along the slope of the quarter pipes.
Cover It With Steel Coping
The steel coping will be located in the notch along the slope’s top edge. When you reach the top of the ramp, you use this to slide your skateboard across. Steel is required because plastic or any softer metal, such as aluminum, may dent or break due to the impact of the skateboard. Two 12′ long pieces of 2″ black steel tubing are required on each side. Do not forget to measure truck size for more accurate design.
Plywood Sheathing & Painting the Overall Ramp
The entire ramp will then be covered in plywood. The topmost decks are where we start, and we utilize 3/4″ plywood for them. The hard surface on top is where you stand. Prior to cutting and trimming it to be flat with the back edge, we ensure that the front side is pushed firmly on the coping.
You cannot leave the plywood in its current condition, it might persist for a time outside, but eventually, the rain and humidity would damage it rather quickly. We coated the entire thing using exterior latex house paint to keep it as safe and long-lasting as possible. Chose the same color as our house to make the backyard a little more cohesive.
Conclusion
Making a skateboard ramp might be on your list from quite a few time, that’s why we delivered you a precise overview of building a small ramp. You will have the best experience of your life. The best part is the process of building it is equally adventurous as skating. All you are required to do is read it thoroughly and start collecting the materials around you.
