| Materials Needed:3/8" X 4' X 8' sheets of | | | | required, and as much wood as you can get |
| plywood | | | | your hands on3) Find a work space to use |
| | | | (garage, backyard, etc.) and lay out your |
| 8' 2x4's | | | | supplies. If you're planning to build a |
| | | | fairly large structure (permanent) try to |
| electric, handheld or bench saws | | | | build it on site.4) For ramps with curved |
| | | | transitions, you will need to use the |
| handsaw | | | | string-and-compass method*.5) Once you've |
| | | | drawn and cut your templates, next comes the |
| hammer & nails | | | | bracing.6) Once you've done the framework, |
| | | | you'll most likely need to prep the top |
| electric sander/sandpaper | | | | piece(s) of the plywood (which must bend to |
| | | | fit the transition without breaking). Do this |
| drafting compass | | | | by propping up the sheet(s)--already cut to |
| | | | size--at a sloping angle and soak with a hose |
| string & chalk | | | | at low pressure for an hour or so.As the wood |
| | | | becomes soaked, apply an increasing amount of |
| garden hose | | | | weight to the center of the board(s)--using |
| | | | bricks or something similar--until the wood |
| sawhorses | | | | attains the desired curve.Now nail the wood |
| | | | onto the framework's 2x4's If your ramp is to |
| nail punch | | | | have coping, make sure to leave enough space |
| | | | for it to fit snugly. Always go WITH the |
| ink pen | | | | grain of the wood while bending and apply the |
| | | | ply!For a smoother transition, sand the |
| wood screws | | | | bottom edge of the top sheet at an angle |
| | | | flush with the ground. Check for jagged |
| 3/8" PVC pipe | | | | splinters. Sand or paint if desired. Paint |
| | | | will make your ramp faster! Duct tape, |
| pushpin1) Decide on the type of ramp(s) you | | | | airplane or electrical tape or aluminum |
| want to build, sketch out the design and | | | | strips may be added to smooth the |
| dimensions on paper.2) Acquire the materials | | | | transition's bottom edge. |