How to Build a Jump Ramp

Build a portable jump ramp for launching into the air, whether on a skateboard, a bike, or in-line skates.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Plywood Sheets
• Bikes
• In-line Skates
• Roller Skates
• Skateboard Helmets
• Skateboard Pads
• Skateboards
• Saws
• Hammers
• Wood Screws

1. Ride as many jump ramps as you can to figure out what you like and dislike about other ramps.
2. Draw a design of your ramp on paper to get an idea of what you want to build. Determine how much transition you want and how high you want to go.
3. Tie a string to a pencil. The length of the string will be the transition of the ramp. A longer string equals less transition, and a shorter string equals more transition. An 8-foot string is a good general length, but after you draw it out, double check to see if that's what you want. It's easy to change or re-do your transition prior to cutting.
4. Place the tip of the pencil on the corner of a sheet of plywood and hold the string out straight along the short edge (the 4-foot edge) of the plywood. Hold the string taut so that it it extends well beyond the plywood, parallel to the edge of the plywood.
5. Anchor the string at the non-pencil end, keeping it taut, and draw the pencil along the plywood to sketch your transition.
6. Look at what you drew and decide if it is the right transition for your jump ramp.
7. Cut the transition out of the plywood with a skill saw.
8. Trace you transition piece onto another piece of plywood and cut that one out too. You should now have two identical pieces.
9. Use two-by-fours of equal length to brace the transitions together at each corner. Drive nails from the outside in.
10. Use more two-fy-fours to brace along the curve of the transition, to support the riding surface of the ramp.
11. Nail a flexible piece of plywood onto the top surface of the jump ramp. Double ply is even better.
12. Use a flat, thin piece of metal to make a smooth connection from the base of the jump ramp to the ground. Make sure there are no exposed screws or nails on the riding surface of the jump ramp.
13. Test the strength of the ramp with your body weight before launching off it.

Tips & Warnings

• By making the ramp four feet wide, you can save yourself from having to cut the plywood for the riding surface.
• If you plan it right, you might be able to get both sides of the transition out of the one piece of plywood.
• The stronger you make your jump ramp, the longer it will last. However, you may need to consider how much you're going to be moving the ramp around. Stronger often means heavier.
• Make sure people wear proper padding when riding your jump ramp.