How to Build a Half Pipe for a Skateboard

Skateboard halfpipes are contoured plywood surfaces for skating back and forth between the two sides. Halfpipes can have "vertical" surfaces, meaning each side transitions from a curve to a section straight up. Building a halfpipe takes only a few tools but what can be considered a large amount of 2x4 lumber studs and multiple sheets of both 1/4" and 1/2" plywood.

Things You'll Need

  • 1/4" plywood sheeting for skate surface
  • 1/2" plywood sheeting for side templates
  • 2x4 studs
  • 2" Wood deck screws
  • Saw (power or hand)
  • Screwdriver (power or hand)
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Instructions

  1. Cutting The Template

    • 1

      Lay two sheets of 4'x8' 1/2" plywood on the ground together.

    • 2

      Attach a seven-foot length of string to one corner of the 8' x 8' square plywood. Attach a pencil to the other end of the string.

    • 3

      Draw a curve across the two sheets of plywood.

    • 4

      Repeat this on three additional sets of two pieces of plywood.

    • 5

      Using a saw (jigsaw is preferred) cut along the penciled curve on each set of plywood.

    • 6

      Attach each of the two pieces of cut plywood together using a 2x4 as a connecting stud. Secure with deck screws

    Erecting The Template

    • 7

      Space two standing template sections apart the width of your 2x4 studs. Studs are available in 8-, 10- or 12- foot lengths.

    • 8

      Dig post holes at each end of the two template sections.

    • 9

      Insert 2x4s into each post hole and secure with soil (concrete can also be used but not recommended if the halfpipe must ever be removed).

    • 10

      Secure the template sections to the corresponding posts with deck screws.

    • 11

      Repeat Section 2 steps 1 through 4 for the two additional template sections facing (or "mirroring") the erected sections. This will form a template frame for the halfpipe.

    Framing the halfpipe

    • 12

      Install 2x4 studs between the template frames every 12 inches.

    • 13

      Use wood deck screws through the template into the stud ends.

    • 14

      Installing the 2x4" with the 2" side face-up will provide deeper strength to the riding surface.

    Installing the riding surface

    • 15

      If you used 8-foot studs, then 4x8 foot 1/4" plwood sheets will cover your halfpipe without cutting. If you used 10-foot studs you will have to cut some sheets in half into 2x8 foot sections (8 feet plus 2 feet equals 10 feet.) If you used 12-foot studs then you will not have to cut the plywood, as three sheets of 4-foot plywood across equals 12 feet. Or, one sheet turned 90- degrees to another is 8 feet plus 4 feet and equals 12 feet.

    • 16

      Starting at the "bottom" between the two template halves, attach the 1/4" plywood to the 2x4 studs. The 1/4" plywood will bend around the template curve without breaking.

    • 17

      Work your way up each side of the halfpipe template with plywood attached around the curve.

    • 18

      When the template frame is completely covered in plywood, the halfpipe is complete. You may wish, however, to add addtional wood deck screws across the riding surface for addtional attachments between the plywood and framing studs.