How to Build a Skateboard Mini-Ramp

A skateboard mini-ramp is a great way to work on your skateboarding skills in your driveway or quiet street corner, and you can assemble it so it comes apart for easy storage and moving. You can build a skateboard mini-ramp with basic plywood and 2-by-4's, if you know some construction basics or have some help.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Skil-saw
• Wood screws
• 3/4-inch plywood
• 3/8-inch plywood
• 2-by-4's

Planning

1. Decide on the kind of plan you want. You can buy inexpensive plans to build a skateboard mini-ramp, or sketch out your own plans.

2. Plan the size of the skateboard mini-ramp to build. Most mini-ramps are 8 feet wide and a bit over 2 feet tall.

3. Find a large workspace for your plans and tools.

Building the Sides

4. Place a piece of 3/4-inch plywood on a flat surface. Draw a straight line up the right-hand side, measuring to the highest point of the mini-ramp. This is usually about 24 to 28 inches.

5. Draw another straight line out to the left toward the center of your plywood board, measuring about 2 feet. This is the deck.

6. Sketch a straight line along the bottom of the skateboard mini-ramp, about 5 feet. This is the bottom of the mini-ramp.

7. Connect the top of the deck to the endpoint of the bottom using a curved line for the ramp. It is a good idea to use a half-circle drawing tool so the curve is true.

Finishing the Mini-Ramp

8. Cut along the lines using a skil-saw so the curves are smooth.

9. Repeat on a second piece of plywood for the other side.

10. Connect the two sides with 2-by-4's. Make sure they are at intervals frequent enough to support the mini-ramp.

11. Use a single sheet of 3/8-inch plywood for the actual mini-ramp section, bending it to fit over the curve.

12. Finish rough edges.

Tips & Warnings

• There are free skateboard mini-ramp plans on various websites you can download. Plans purchased online are inexpensive.
• The mini-ramp can be used for in-line skating and bike tricks as well.
• Drawing your own plans and doing the construction takes some experience with tools and working with wood. It's a good idea to get someone with experience if you are a novice.
• Always use wood screws and not nails. This holds the mini-ramp together much better.
• If you plan on leaving your mini-ramp outside, put it on a cement surface or up on blocks to prevent the wood from rotting.
• Always use safety equipment during construction.

Resources

• Websites such as Slap Magazine have free skateboard mini-ramp plans.
• The Element Skateboards website has inexpensive mini-ramp plans.

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[abatista5]

on 10/31/2009 There are many sites for plans too..