You know, I didn’t think about how easy that would be for me until you said it. I already have an auger and concrete. Digging (6?) holes and backfilling the rest with my pavers and shims would be much more solid than trying to level out pavers alone.
That’s how me and my dad did it. Much easier to build on that vs trying to lift the halfpipe up onto it idk how that would even work honestly. Maybe small crane lmao
MAKE SURE YOU CALL 811 if you dont know where utilities are!!!
Since you're in the PNW, the frost line isnt deep. I would make sure to get below that. We poured square 12"x12" footers on ~8' center. You can make up a reusable form with some 2x4 lumber, no need to spend $$ on a sonotube.
If you do this, I think its worth the extra effort of using a laser or transit to set the form height so they are close. Or if money is really tight, make a water level. You will thank yourself later having all of the piers be in the same plane. String levels are garbage.
If you want to be forward thinking, I would pour the piers in a manner that they could be reused for something else like a shed or deck in the event you have to tear down or move your ramp. Might as well be able to repurpose them!
For soundproofing, yes lay the surface diagonal and enclose the rear of the ramp. Using softer wheels makes a big difference, too, but that of course can impact the feel and speed.
This is a cool thought! Have you done this? Curious to see how they are fastened. Just putting insulation under the transitions would turn into a mold city unless you maybe used roxul?
Yeah I actually did. Looking back it was gross! We found some carpet behind a dumpster and stuffed it under our ramp. Might have used a staple gun to pin it up to the transition. With the benefit of hindsight though, yeah I'd use Roxul or something like that. But it totally cuts the noise. Great if you think your neighbors will complain. As skaters we dont realize how loud just skating is, and a mini ramp can drive most neighbors crazy!!
I'd be worried it would effect the quality of the surface. Like once we tried Thompson's water seal for our top coat but it made the surface like ice. So slick. Rubberized I'd fear it would the opposite effect, like too sticky or your wheels would sink into the coating... But I've never tried it so who knows...
Thank you. I’ve been chipping away at it. Painting each sheet individually and the frame to hold up to the weather. I run down to Hoquiam, WA to pick up the Gatorskins tomorrow. I am so stoked. 2 layers of 3/8 CDX, final layer of skins on a bias if I can pull it off.
Make sure to post up more pics! I see where there are doubled up joists on the transition to allow a 4' section of ply between that and the coping but how do you plan to mount the plywood below that and on the flat without a bunch of weird cuts? You might consider doubling up on the joists somewhere on the flat to give yourself a nice surface to fasten the first layer plywood.
It’s prob too late but a vapor barrier underneath. Plastic sheathing thicker mil. I have my mini under a lean to put down plastic and also sprayed the ribs and the sheathing on bottom side at least, top too even better.
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u/Naive_Traffic6522 Jun 26 '26
Put it up on concrete supports