How to Build a Tech Deck Halfpipe

Colorful tape to gives a Tech Deck halfpipe a custom look.

A Tech Deck halfpipe is the perfect place to practice high-flying aerial tricks on a fingerboard. Tech Deck ramps need to stand up to hard landings without breaking or denting. You can design and build a sturdy halfpipe using common household items. Customize the size and look of the halfpipe to make something better than what is available in stores. Take your finger skateboarding skills to the next level by building a Tech Deck halfpipe.

Things You'll Need

• Cardboard Box (24 inches wide or less)
• Scissors
• Pencil compass
• Duct tape
• 2 poster board sheets
• Permanent markers and stickers (optional)

Instructions

1. Cut the top flaps at the seam where they connect to the cardboard box with a pair of scissors. Draw 45 degree half circles on one end of each cut out cardboard flap with a pencil compass. Cut the half circles out of the flaps and discard them.

2. Slide the remaining sections of the cardboard flaps down into the box so they stand upright with their square corners facing down. Slide the flaps so they are no more than six inches apart and tape them to the interior base of the box on either side with duct tape.

3. Curl three-inch pieces of duct tape so they connect to themselves with the adhesive side facing out. Spread three or four of these tape pieces out on one of the poster board sheets and press the other on top stick them together and double their thickness.

4. Press the center of the double-thick poster board down onto the curved supports in the box and trim the excess length that protrudes at either end of the box.

5. Make three or four more of the double-sided tape curls and place them on the curved supports before pressing the trimmed poster board into the box to form the halfpipe ramp.

6. Cover the ramp and exterior of the Tech Deck halfpipe with a single layer of duct tape. Do not overlap the tape or you will create a bumpy surface for the fingerboard.

7. Decorate the Tech Deck ramp with permanent markers and stickers to give it the authentic look of a skateboard halfpipe. Keep stickers off the skating surfaces to avoid creating slick or uneven patches.

Tips & Warnings

• Build and connect several ramps of different sizes to create a Tech Deck skatepark.

References

• Tech Deck Wiz: Make Your Own Homemade Tech Deck Ramps
• Universal Fingerboard Network: Extra Information