How to Build Skate Ramps

Do you want to polish your skating skills, but fail to do so due to the lack of practice? What is it that is stopping you from mastering the tricks and improving the balance required for skating? If it is the lack of skate ramps then here is a solution to your problem.

Most of the time either skate parks are located far away or it is so crowded that you cannot practice your moves freely. So, now forget about these problems and build your own skate ramps. It requires some tools, precision designing and your time.
It will also help you to save money which otherwise you will spend on buying a new skate ramp.

Read the following steps of skate ramp making, it’s easy and fun. You can easily make your ramp using plywood, 2×4 and 2×6 boards.

STEPS

1. The first step towards making the ramp is to design the ramp you wish to build. You can choose a mini-ramp, a kicker or a launch ramp as per your requirement. You can also buy a plan for constructing the structure or simply download them from internet at free of cost.
2. Once the design is selected, you need to make right choice of material of construction. The most suitable material used for building skate ramp is wood; it is light and easily portable. It is often recommended that if you have to store your ramp outside, you should make use of plywood and pressure-treated lumber. However, if you have to use your ramp indoors, then untreated lumber is more suitable because it is lighter in weight and hence will make movement easier. Use of untreated lumber will also help you to save money as it is relatively less expensive.
3. Now that you have the design and the material, you need to make the necessary measurements. Calculate the base size i.e how large you want the bottom of the ramp to be. It is always recommended that you add a few inches to your calculated measurement. Calculate other dimensions also like that of length, width and height.
4. Make use of a pencil to draw the curves on the plywood. Be sure you do not forget to add a flat spot at the top. The dimensions of the skate ramp can be modified depending upon the kind of moves you want. Like if you want to get height out of your moves, design the ramp a bit taller and if you want distance then make it longer and shorter.
5. Use can make use of a saw to cut three panels of exact dimensions from the plywood.
6. To make the sides of the ramp, cut the notches accurately into the centre of the plywood. You can place the 2 x 4 at the point where it will be nailed to the curve on both the sides. It is always better to place the skinny side of the 2 x 4 on the face of the curve. Now for added support, attach the 2 x 4 to the back, or inside, of the plywood. While screwing or nailing , always remember to keep the 2 x 4s smaller than the plywood.
7. Now decide where you exactly want to place the 2 x 4s for the curved part of the ramp. Cut the notches into the middle and then trace them onto the inside portion of the two other panels. Screw or nail the 2 x 4s to the end panels. Do not forget to line them up with the middle notches.
8. Test the ramp to ensure it is stable and sturdy enough to be used. If it is not, add more 2 x 4s to it.

Watch a video instruction on how to build skate ramps

See also

How to Make a Mini Ramp

How to Make a Skateboard Ramp

How to Build a Skate Ramp

How to Build a Mini Ramp