How to Build a Free Skateboard Ramp

Introducing a skateboard ramp into your practice can dramatically increase your abilities. Before graduating to larger half-pipe ramps, get a feel for jumping off a smaller free-standing ramp, like the design described below. Once you can successfully land jumps off it, move on to designing larger ramps or use longer pieces of wood and a more dramatic incline to redesign this ramp. This ramp should be small enough for you to build it at home and take it with you to a skate park or other skateboarding area.

Things You'll Need

  • 3/4-inch plywood sheet, 4 feet by 8 feet
  • 2 3/8-inch plywood sheets, 4 feet by 8 feet
  • 4 2-by-4-inch boards
  • String
  • Pencil
  • Saw
  • Power drill
  • Wood screws
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Instructions

    • 1

      Draw the curve of the ramp on the two 3/4-inch plywood sheets using string and a pencil. The size of the curve will be the size of the incline. Ensure the two curve lines are the same.

    • 2

      Cut the pieces of plywood following the lines you drew. These two pieces will act as the sides of the ramp.

    • 3

      Lay these two pieces on their sides so that the curved edge is pointed diagonally in the air and they are 8 to 10 inches apart.

    • 4

      Cut the four 2-by-4s in half and attach them perpendicularly to the sides of the two pieces of plywood using wood screws. Each of these 2-by-4s will act to hold the ramp surface, so space them evenly and ensure there is one joist attached at the top of the curve and one joist attached to the bottom so that it actually sits on the ground.

    • 5

      Place the two 3/8-inch sheets of plywood on top of the ramp and ensure the corners are flush to the corners of the incline you just created. Attach the plywood pieces to the joists and sides of the ramp using wood screws.