How to Build a Bank Ramp

If it is too far to drive to get to the nearest facility with skateboard and bicycle ramps, then building your own is the thing to do. They are inexpensive and can be constructed using 2-by-4-inch lumber and plywood. Whether building a quarter pipe, transfer or bank ramp, you will find plans readily accessible to help you on your way. Bank ramps allow beginners the opportunity to improve their skills before going on to the curves in a quarter pipe ramp or riding the rails.

Things You'll Need

  • Piece of 61-by-48-by-3/4-inch plywood
  • 2 sawhorses
  • 4-penny box nail
  • Chalk box
  • Circular saw
  • 9 pieces of 2-by-4-by-46 1/2-inch lumber
  • Variable speed drill
  • Philips head screw tip
  • 2-inch deck screws
  • Piece of 73-by-48-by-3/4-inch plywood
  • 6 pieces of 2-by-4-by-21-inch lumber
  • 6 pieces of 2-by-4-by-39 1/4-inch lumber
  • 3-inch deck screws
  • Piece of 2-by-4-by-48-inch lumber
  • Piece of 24-by-48-by-3/4-inch plywood
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Set the 61-by-48-by-3/4-inch plywood on the sawhorses. Measure from one corner and make a mark at 40-inches on the 48-inch edge. Drive the 4-penny nail on the face of the plywood at that 40-inch mark.

    • 2

      Hang the end of the chalk box line on the nail. Pull the string of the chalk box down to the diagonal corner and pop a line on the plywood. The chalk line represents the slope of the bank ramp. It is 72 15/16-inches in length.

    • 3

      Cut the chalk line on the plywood with the circular saw. Trace the pattern of this piece on the remaining piece of the 61-by-48-by-3/4-inch plywood. Cut with the circular saw.

    • 4

      Stand one of the pieces on the ground on its sloped edge. Butt the ends of five of the pieces of 2-by-4-by-46 1/2-inch lumber against the plywood. Secure them through the plywood with the 2-inch deck screws. Space them on 12-inch centers with the first and the last ones 12-inches from the ends of the slope. Secure the other sloped piece to the lumber..

    • 5

      Hold two pieces of 2-by-4-by-46 1/2-inch lumber between the 40-inch edges of the sloped pieces, so that the widest part of the lumber is even with the 40-inch edge. Secure one of them as close to the top as you can. Secure the other at the bottom with the 2-inch deck screws. Repeat this with the remaining 2-by-4-by-46 1/2-inch lumber on the 61-inch edge. Space them evenly between the ends of the 61-inch edge.

    • 6

      Turn the bank ramp frame upright. Lay the 73-by-48-by-3/4-inch plywood on the bank ramp frame. Secure it to one sloped edge of the frame with the 2-inch deck screws, aligning it as you go. Secure it to the other sloped edge and then to the 2-by-4-by-46 1/2-inch lumber.

    • 7

      Build three frames by securing the 2-by-4-by-21-inch lumber between the 2-by-4-by-39 1/4-inch lumber with the 3-inch deck screws. Secure the frames to the 2-by-4-by-46 1/2-inch pieces on the backside of the bank ramp with the 3-inch deck screws. Place a carpenter's level on them vertically to keep them plumb.

    • 8

      Hold the 2-by-4-by-48-inch lumber under the top pieces of the backside of the frame. Secure it to the frames through the top and sidepieces of the frames with the 3-inch drywall screws. Secure the 24-by-48-by-3/4-inch plywood on top of the frame at the top of the bank ramp.