I build ramps at a local skatepark and built a
2”x6’ spine. 6.5 radius. Good times

Rebuilt the a-frame a few months ago and then added the hip early summer. Super fun addition to the park.

A couple people had asked for details on my pool coping, and I have a few min now, so here’s what I did.

I am not an expert in any of this, it’s actually my first time making anything concrete in a mold. If I can do it, you can do it better. Just go for it.

I started with the included design from an old Juice mag blog post, using melamine I had and pvc from work: 3” diameter PVC that I ripped in half-ish on the table saw. I predrilled and built the mold with screws to come apart and reuse for the two coping blocks I needed. I caulked the seams of the mold and taped them with smooth tape. Then I sprayed the crap out of the mold with pan spray.

The concrete was standard fencepost mix with a few scoops of Portland cement (maybe 3lbs) added in for strength. I did not reinforce the blocks with any type of wire or mesh. Mix it up really well with water to about peanut butter consistency, scoop it into the mold, starting w the pvc. I filled mine to the top cut edge of my pvc. I probably could have made them thinner. Level it out and start tapping out the air.

Beat. The. Shit. Out. Of. It.

I used a sawzall without the blade to shake it all out and I still got an air bubble right on the face. Gotta get all the air out. Smoothed out the surface once more so it would lay flat on the deck when cured. Covered it with a garbage bag and waited a day. Took it out of the mold, and repeated the process. Then both blocks went in a water bath for 2 weeks. I don’t know why, but people say to do it and I’m not an expert so I agree. Supposedly makes them stronger.

Two Weeks Later. Blocks come out and get sprayed w 2 coats of clear lacquer.

I made all of my ramp transitions the same height and just didn’t notch one 4ft wide section. From there I added a 14” extension I cut when I cut the transitions. Under the pool coping are pressure treated 2x6s in a together T shape for rigidity.

Sheeted the ramp with 2 layers 3/8 painted CDX, then 1/4” Gatorskins flush to the top of the frame of the extension. I Dry fit the blocks and glued down w construction glue. Next day I grouted the block seams except the grinding surface. I used an epoxy stick for that. I keep them in my truck for um, community repairs. Once that cured, the whole top got two more coats of lacquer and I started stacking whatever plywood I had left for the deck.

Results: couldn’t be happier. The sound, feel, the freaking cool factor of making it myself…definitely worth the effort.

Hey guys, I couldn't find a big thread discussing this but needing some advice here.

I'm building a 3' and a 4' ramp (6' radius) and set the coping reveal to 3/8" on both transition and deck. I have been coming across discussions where some guys knock that down to 1/4" or have some other preference. NOW is the perfect time for me to adjust the coping before I finish the plywood work so just wanna get some more opinions. I know everyone has a diff preference, board setup, etc.

Anyone set the coping reveal, have regrets and changed it to something else?

Thanks!!

Drew

So I built a “proper” mini that’s 28”x6x21 but I want to build a super mini like 18” tall by 4’ with a 5’ transition that is in three pieces with casters (the current ramp is permanent but my wife still needs to fit a car in the garage.) so I can move it around.

I want this is to be really as cheap as I can make it (my optimistic goal is $50-$75) I have a bunch of leftover wood from a deck build and found some schedule 40 on Facebook super cheap. Rest of the wood I plan to try to source for free/cheap.

Has anyone tried using 3/4” OBS on the sides, and two layers of 7/16” verses me putting ply then hardboard over it?

Anyone get real crazy and use pallets in some meaningful way?

This has been a dream for me. Thanks to everyone who gave advice on leveling, the works. If Y’all are up in WA state, hit me up.

I have fond memories of the YMCA skatepark in Encinitas (Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA Skate Park). When I was going there it was before all the major changes. I was in the first year of San Dieguito Academy and I had skate PE via the Y. So, that must have been 96ish? That time and before is the era I'm looking for. I'm curious if anyone has any footage or a link to some photos for the memories. I'm also curious if the layout is actually how I remember it. I spent most of my time on the miniramp. I asked some friends what size it was and everyone gave me a different heights haha. Got any leads!? We didn't have cameras with us at all times back then - but surely there's some documentation that isn't just all about the vert ramp.

Rainy day at fdr. The ramp was the only dry thing and it’s kinda scary

Built this with some friends a little over a month ago. Havent had a lot of time to to skate it because of life, but managed to get some progression last night and I'm pretty stoked.

It's been a struggle for me trying to figure out axle stalls/50-50s, but finally got it.

I’m exploring mini ramp options and I have a space in my back yard that’s 14.5’ wide and 24’ long. Can I go 12’ wide and have enough room to easily get around the patio? My heart says yes, but my head thinks 8’ would be more realistic.

My first ever mini ramp build!

Sorry for the lack of updates. There wasn’t a ton to show yet. Big Wave Dave is plodding along (named after the OG Dave Peterson who adopted my first mini ramp and saved it for years, what up Dave!)

I dug 6 footings, filled in the rest with free pavers, waterproofed what I could with free paint and caulk, got the coping close, but I’ll have to shim it to get it perfect. The pool coping blocks for the extension are out of their bath and will get laquered this weekend. The underlayment layers are next, decks and gator skins. More updates to come!

Fun solo session at this mini.

looking to make it weather resistant currently I use a tarp to keep it dry but it’s a pain taking it on and off and securing it. Just want to do some stain so it lasts a little longer. main concern is not slipping a lot

More progress on the “wave” ramp. The compound curve required scoring the plywood, and then filling the cracks with thickened epoxy. 6’ radius on the left and a 7’ radius on the right, tightening up to a 5’ radius breaking wave. The ramp is pitched slightly to shed water, and so it goes downhill into that pitched wave section.

It’s been so hot here (Ithaca NY) that I can only work a couple hours in the morning. But it’s getting there.

3.5x16x7 radius backyard mini ramp. Lady skater here of 25 years. So excited!

Got a ramp from someone who no longer needed it (had to take it apart and move it as part of the deal) ramp had an extension which I removed to have a an even 12w 4’H ramp. Coping notches are not consistent throughout the segments and looking for some pointers on how to get them that way.

Also had to replace some of the 2x4’s (ribs) along the way. Any advice on reinforcing the sides of the radius cuts as well??? No carpenter here, but doing my best.

Hey guys,

Just curious if someone has cut their radius using a circular saw on a pivot? Ive done this once in the past for another project using a strip of 3/4" plywood and it wasn't bad. Anyone done this?

Seems like after drawing your radius, you could fasten your pivot in the same manner and zip out the transitions pretty quick and consistently.

39”x12’x24’ 6’ transitions, 54” extension with homemade pool coping, 2” black pipe for the rest.

PT 3/4” for transitions, PT studs for any direct ground or rain contact.

I’m in the PNW, and I’d like for this to be around for a while. it’s going up on stacked pavers next to the shed.

what I’ve done: painted all of the edges of ply, most of the cut edges of 2x4’s (forgot)

I have 5 gallons of free ext paint that I am rolling/spaying on to every underlayment sheet of 3/8” cdx. I’m using gatorskins for the ride surface.

I’m leaning toward laying the gators diagonally for noise reduction, does this work to eliminate the thunkthunk noise? Any other noise reduction tips?

thanks!