The Best Way to Build a Skateboarding Ramp

Building a skateboard ramp is a great way to save money while still being able to do the thing you love. There are a variety of blueprints on the market, so choosing which one to use can be tricky. For those of you not familiar with woodwork, the types of wood and tools used in the process can also be confusing. Here are a few helpful tips that should allow you to build the best skateboard ramp possible.

  1. Surfacing the Ramp

    • For outdoor ramps, weatherproofing the surface is probably the most important part of building your own ramp. You don't want your ramp to get warped and ruined the first time it rains. First, if you want to spend a little extra money, you can cover the plywood with Skatelite. It is the surface that the X Games use, but it can be a bit expensive. You can use Masonite, which is cheaper, but is not as weather resistant. You can also skate on just the plywood, but that is also not weatherproof. If you use either of the latter two, you are going to want to cover it with a layer of weather resistant paint. Spar Urethane or Polyurethane paint usually works the best. Also, when the ramp is not in use, it is always a good idea to throw a tarp over it.

    Bending the Right Plywood

    • Make sure that the plywood you are using is no thicker than 3/8" thick. Any thicker and the plywood will not bend properly, and usually crack. Start from the bottom screwing the plywood into one rib at a time. Stand on the part of the ramp you have already screwed in, and use one foot to apply pressure to the unbent part while you are screwing. Take your time, once the plywood cracks, you will have to start the whole process over.

    Transitions to the Ground

    • For the transition from the ramp to the ground, a piece of thin sheet metal is idea. However, these are hard to come by at your local Home Depot or Lowes. The sheet metal should be about 6" wide, from the ground to the wood part of the ramp. If you can't find any sheet metal, using a 2"x6" and cutting it at a sharp angle can also work. If all else fails, Masonite (or Skatelite) is usually thin enough to make a transition from the plywood to the ground, however, this will wear and tear much more quickly than the other options.