How to Make an Easy Ramp

Those brave and daring individuals that perform tricks on bikes or skateboards often employ large ramps to get their vehicles into the air. More airtime means more time to perform complicated tricks. However, small ramps (known as "kickers") are just as useful, eliminating the need to "ollie" before pulling of simpler tricks. These ramps are simple to make and the parts are relatively cheap to purchase.

Things You'll Need

  • 6" by 24" by 1" plank of plywood
  • String
  • Permanent marker
  • Wood saw
  • Four 18" two-by-fours
  • Drill with Phillips head bit
  • 1-1/4" wood screws
  • 20" by 24" by 1/2" plank of plywood
  • Wood file
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Instructions

    • 1

      Stretch a length of string from one corner of your 6-inch by 24-inch by 1-inch plank of plywood to the opposite corner. Use the string as a guide to draw a line with a permanent marker.

    • 2

      Cut along the line with a wood saw, thereby splitting your rectangular plank of plywood into two equally sized triangles. These triangular planks will be the sides of your new ramp.

    • 3

      Place one of your 18-inch two-by-fours between the triangular planks at the right (90 degree) corners. Secure both ends of the two-by-four in place using a drill and two or three wood screws on each side.

    • 4

      Secure three more 18-inch two-by-fours between the triangular planks just below the slanted ramp edge. The two-by-fours should be evenly spaced and corners should stay within the triangular plywood edges. Insert two or three screws through the plywood planks into the end of each two-by-four.

    • 5

      Place the 20-inch by 24-inch by 1/2-inch plank of plywood on the top of your ramp support structure. Secure the surface of the ramp to the triangular planks underneath with several wood screws along both edges.

    • 6

      Smooth down the bottom edge of your ramp with a wood file, creating a smooth transition from the pavement or sidewalk to the ramp surface.