How to Build a Ramp With Blocks

With some carpentry knowledge, constructing a wooden ramp is not difficult. For the first time builder, it may be a little bit of a challenge.

Ramps come in many forms and sizes. They can be constructed from many types of materials, including wood, stone and concrete. Ramps are useful for many things, most of which include moving large objects with wheels. Ramps do not have to be difficult to construct. With homemade wooden blocks, you can make a ramp that is smooth enough to accommodate a wheelchair, wheelbarrow or anything else with medium-to-large diameter wheels.

Things You'll Need

• 18 feet of 2-by-10 wood
• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Hand saw
• Hammer and nails (optional)

Instructions

1. Measure six 36-inch sections of 2-by-10 wood with a measuring tape and draw pencil marks for cutting.

2. Using a hand saw, cut out six sections of 2-by-10 board to make six 2-by-10 blocks of 36- inch length.

3. Make a 45 degree cut along the long edge of three of the boards. Cutting a taper edge like this helps to make a smoother incline.

4. Locate the area where you would like to install your ramp, ideally with a desired rise of about 6 inches.

5. Lay down three consecutive sections of 2-by-10 board to make a flat platform of 30 inches by 36 inches. The last piece, at what will be the bottom of the ramp, should contain one piece that has a 45-degree cut.

6. At one end of the platform, lay down two consecutive sections of 2-by-10 board to make a raised, smaller platform of 20 inches by 36 inches. The piece facing the end of the ramp should be one with a 45-degree cut.

7. Nail the top two platform pieces to the two platform pieces below it with a hammer, if desired.

8. At the top end of the platform, lay down the last section of 2-by-10 board – again, one with a 45-degree cut – to complete the top step of the ramp.

9. Nail the last board to the board under it if desired.

10. Secure the first step in the ramp to the ground if desired. The ramp is now complete.

Tips & Warnings

• You can scale this ramp easily using simple geometry. To double the ramp's length and height with the same 1:5 rise, you will need 21 sections of 2-by-10 wood at 36 inches length each. The layout follows a 6-5-4-3-2-1 layout as opposed to the 3-2-1 layout of the ramp described.

• Be careful handling saws as they are sharp. Always wear eye protection when cutting wood.

References

• Archaeology: How to Build a Ppyramid
• The Wheelchair Site: Wheelchair Width