How to Build a Skate Ramp Out of Wood

Skate parks feature a variety of ramps and rails on which BMX riders, skateboarders and inline skaters can perform tricks. One of the most common ramp types for skating is a quarter pipe ramp, which features a curved surface for skaters to ride up and down. Those looking to practice their skating at home can build quarter pipe ramps using wood and a nail gun.

Things You'll Need

  • 1/2 inch thick plywood
  • Pencil
  • String
  • Jigsaw
  • 2-inch-by-4-inch wood
  • Nail gun
  • Nails
  • 2-inch-by-6-inch wood
  • 1/4 inch thick plywood
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut two rectangles of 1/2-inch plywood to 4 feet tall by 6 feet wide.

    • 2

      Draw an arc on one rectangle that starts at the top edge, 1 foot away from the top left corner, and concludes at the lower right corner.

    • 3

      Cut out along the line with a jigsaw. These are the side pieces, and should be positioned with the point at the bottom of the ramp in the lower right corner.

    • 4

      Cut out a 6-inch-wide by 4-inch-tall rectangle from the upper left corner of the plywood sides.

    • 5

      Trace the shape onto the second piece of wood and cut it out with a jigsaw so you have two matching side pieces.

    • 6

      Cut a 6-foot-long piece of the 2-inch-by-6-inch wood and secure it between the two side pieces with nails so that a 6-inch-wide face of the beam is level with the horizontal edge of the notches cut out. This will add extra support to the top platform.

    • 7

      Cut two pieces of 2-inch-by-4-inch wood that are each 6 feet long, and four pieces of 2-inch-by-4-inch wood that are each 3 feet long.

    • 8

      Create a rectangular frame with the 2-inch-by-4-inch wood by positioning the 6-foot-long pieces 3 feet apart from each other. Nailing the 3-foot-long pieces between the longer pieces. One 3-foot-long piece should be secured flush with each end of the longer pieces and the remaining two 3-foot-long pieces should be spaced evenly along the length of the rectangle, at about 2 feet from each end.

    • 9

      Cut three pieces of 2-inch-by-6-inch wood, making each 4 feet long.

    • 10

      Nail the 2-inch-by-6-inch beams to the inside of the frame so that one edge of the beams is flush with the top of the rectangular frame to add legs to the rectangle. Nail the three beams to one 6-foot-long side of the rectangle, as the other side will rest atop the crossbeam of the ramp. Center the beam along the width of the 6-foot-long side and secure the other 2-inch-by-6-inch beams to the 3-foot-long beams at the corner that touches the 6-foot-long beam.

    • 11

      Place the end of the rectangle that does not have support legs atop the crossbeam of the side pieces. Secure it with nails through the underside of the crossbeam and into the frame pieces of the rectangle.

    • 12

      Cut 6-foot-long pieces of 2-inch-by-4-inch wood and secure them along the length of the curve so that one 2-inch-wide side of each beam is flush with the curve at the point you are securing the beam. Place a beam every 8 inches along the curve.

    • 13

      Cut a section of plywood 6 feet wide and 4 feet long and secure to the top of the ramp starting at the back edge of the rectangle, then trim off any excess plywood that hangs off over the curved section.

    • 14

      Secure 1/4 inch plywood to the curve in the ramp, starting at the bottom crossbeam and securing the plywood to each successive beam, causing the plywood to bend around the shape of the curve.

    • 15

      Cut across the top of the bent plywood so it is level with the top section.