How to Build a Halfpipe

Gather your friends, some wood, some tools and a plan to build a halfpipe you all can enjoy for years to come.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Plywood Sheets
• Skateboarding Apparel
• In-line Skate Wheels
• In-line Skates
• Skateboard Decks
• Skateboard Helmets
• Skateboard Pads
• Skateboard Parts
• Skateboard Trucks
• Skateboard Wheels
• Skateboarding Shoes
• Skateboards
• Saws
• Circular Saws
• Coping Saws
• Hammers
• Handsaws
• Sawhorses
• Saws
• Wood Screws
• Wood screws
• Hammers

1. Buy, borrow or download a "how to build a ramp" manual (unfortunately, the instructions are too complex to include on eHow). This will give you complete and comprehensive instructions, diagrams and hints on each step of building a ramp. There are several manuals readily available from skate magazines and Web sites.

2. Use the manual to determine your exact ramp specifications according to the space you have available and the type of halfpipe you want to build.

3. Estimate how much wood you will need. Consider if you want to double-ply the ramp for an extra-smooth riding surface. Also include the price of nails, screws and a layer of masonite for the ramp.

4. Contact all your friends who are going to be riding the ramp and explain (or hint) that those who help build the ramp are the ones most welcome to ride it. Ask people to bring tools. Try to find someone with a relative who is a carpenter or experienced woodworker and ask him or her to help, too.

5. Set aside some practical days to work on the ramp and let people know well ahead of time.

6. Get everything you need and everyone together at the building site and proceed in an orderly manner. Be in charge and delegate tasks to others. Keep people from goofing off and ask anyone who is not helping to leave.

7. Have a party when the ramp is done. Wheel out the barbecue and boom box for all of those who helped build.

8. Enjoy the ramp safely.

Tips & Warnings

• As soon as the ramp is finished, establish a set of "ramp rules" and make sure everyone abides by them. Post the rules where everyone can see.
• Most plywood is sold in 4-by-8-foot sheets, so it will save you some cutting if you plan your ramp accordingly: 12, 16, or 24 feet wide.
• Have an experienced person do most of the woodcutting, to prevent costly mistakes.
• Once you build a ramp, you are responsible for making sure nobody gets injured on it. Be strict about making people wear their pads and helmets.
• Skateboarding is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.

Who Can Help:

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on 8/20/2006 Work to utilize wood dimensions from the lumber yard before you size it out, you definitely don't want to waste any wood. Pressure treated wood is expensive. I couldn't afford a pressure treated top coat, so I chose to go with 2 layers of 3/8 plywood (CDX on the bottom, ACX on the top), making it 3/4 inch thick. I chose to use bolts (10''x10'' pattern) instead of screws to hold the top layer onto the bottom, which was screwed into the frame. The top layer was obviously more expensive than the bottom, but none the less I stained every inch of the ramp that wasn't treated.

on 11/22/2005 Score the plywood with a circular saw (only about 1/16 to 1/8 inch deep). Do this on the side of the wood that will be the riding surface once covered.

on 11/22/2005 Build your skill up a little every day. Don't go and build a 6 foot half pipe and expect not to fall. Wear proper protection. It took me a while to get it. I landed on my butt a lot, so I tied a couch cushion to my butt. It looked goofy, but it helped a lot.

on 11/22/2005 When your half pipe is done, get a hose and water the ramp for an hour. When you're done doing that, put something heavy on the ramp and leave it there until the wood dries. The wood will hold the shape you want.

on 11/22/2005 Use PVC pipe for coping. It will save you tons of money, and you're not going to be grinding it anyway, right? Leave that to the Foot Clan and Shredder!