The Art Of Ram - Pro Tips For Building A Skateboard Mini Ramp At Home - Ramp Building Trick Tips

#teachingtheworldhowtobuildramps
Specs of this ramp.
26'x8' Footprint needed
2'8" tall
31" deck
7'6" radius
10' flat bottom
Online Coaching and Instruction is available.
Cost is $50 per hour
Email [e-mail] to set up a session.

[@andrewberg4632]

One more thought for next video. What radius for what height ramp and how that ratio effects the ride and skill needed to have fun. In general I know bigger radius is more mellow and beginner friendly but talking through what you’ve used and recommended would be awesome.

[@trogarmy]

ill put that on the list. great idea

[@andrewberg4632]

Can you talk about soundproofing? Need to keep the neighbors happy!

[@trogarmy]

great question. the only way to keep the ramp quiet is to have a tight ramp. that means all screws are hitting the stud. that will dampen most riding noise. you can cap the back for more and you can get crazy and roll up mattresses or foam the inside. mainly you just want to talk and meet your neighbors , be on good terms with them and ask what times they are cool with you riding. thats all i got for you.

[@MK-vy2ds]

Great ramp! I'd love to hear more about the cover, what material it is, how you put it up exactly and how it withstands wind and humidity through the winter... thanks for the great content!

[@trogarmy]

is a 45mm cover. its a rubber mat used for flat roof applications. we just sandwich it between two boards on the back of the deck and roll and unroll it. its hard to puncture. it will flap in a heavy wind but we recommend using staples over long cover times like winter. It doesnt sweat like a tarp. its the best product i have found and cheaper than a boat canvas custom cover.

[@MikeSenese]

@@trogarmy The "Save Big Money" store... Harbor Freight Tools?

[@trogarmy]

@@MikeSenese Menards lol

[@trogarmy]

@@MikeSenese might be a regional store

[@kellyfloyd1953]

I’m a 53 year old skater with minimal skating experience and have a 20 year old son that’s never skated. Going to build a mini ramp, what height and radius would be best for us to learn on and long term enjoy. Hate to build something we would hate. Thanks in advance

[@trogarmy]

7’6” radius by 2’8” tall with 10’ of flat

[@marcelboogaard3809]

I’m thinking about building a 3.5 foot high mini ramp. What radius would you recommend and how many feet of flat? Thanks in advance. Love your no nonsense tutorials on skating and building. Keep it up 👍🏻

[@trogarmy]

Andrew's question below had a similar question about ramp height to radius to flat ratio. I'm wrapping my head around this one but will put out a video on this soon. 7' radius though with 8-10' of flat is great for 3.5' tall

[@marcelboogaard3809]

@@trogarmy thanks 🙏

[@tadashi6381]

This is an old video, but how much it is the coping reveal for a bigger ramp, like a vert ramp?

[@jameskaul8932]

Vert is a 1/4" reveal for the bonk up front on the face wall and a strong 1/4" on top for the lock! You calling me old. lol

[@tadashi6381]

@@jameskaul8932 Ty! Srry, I was refering about the video being old, it is a 3 year old video =)

[@tadashi6381]

@@jameskaul8932 Do you think a 2.1/2" tube will be too big? Could not find 2.3/8" that is recommended.

[@andrewspicer3493]

Watch all your videos here in the uk (Bristol). Just finished replacing top layer of ply on our mini ramp after 2 winters. EPDM looks great option. Why do you use 2 pieces instead of one. Doesn’t water get in at join on the flat bottom? Great videos, keep them coming, love it.

[@trogarmy]

Mainly to keep weight down and the come in 10x20 rolls. I put a t brace to crown water from slipping under

[@andrewspicer3493]

@@trogarmy yea I read it’s heavy stuff. Can you explain a bit more about the t brace? Thanks again.

[@trogarmy]

@@andrewspicer3493 Ill put it on the list for a video for next weeks mini ramp build. but essentially its a scrap plywood strip with a 2x4 screwed vertical to it making a T. then i place that in the middle of the ramp to lift up the mat so the water cant sneak under to the surface. i hope that helps.

[@jeremycorkery]

From NZ (Aotearoa). Agree on EPDM rubber- we have only slightly better weather down here then they do in the UK. We get a lot of strong wind in the Manawatu so EPDM would be an ideal alternative to the tarp I currently use. It looks like I can get EPDM here in NZ, although not easy - would you know the thickness you used... it seems to start at 1.5mm / 0.059inch. Thank you. Big fan of your videos and always sharing them out to my daughter and her skate crew to watch and learn. Ramming it down.

[@hansonlife9465]

Dude your videos are a gold mine, I'm going to be commenting all over these. So keen ramps does one 3/4 flat bottom and transitions two layers of 3/8. Do you find the thickness off noticably such that 3/4 flat bottom wouldn't be okay (looking to save money)? Do you off set layers one two and 3? Finally, is there a tip surface you recommend from the skate specific brands ie skatelite v gatorskins or any others. Looking for function and value

[@hansonlife9465]

Also, with a skate specific top later, do you gap the ply and the skate layer with a 1/8th inch guage? Do you see any excessive moisture retention with 3 layers? (Not likely an issue in ncal with our small amounts of rain)

[@trogarmy]

I would do gator skins if you live in the US. As for 2x 3/8" on transition meeting up with 3/4" flat. Do it. I have and will always use this method. 1st and 3rd layer can be the same but your surface will run vertical and your underlayment runs horizontal.

[@trogarmy]

@@hansonlife9465 no matter what get a rubber cover and you wont need to worry about moisture. No gaps on surface. Wide gaps on underlayment 1/4" minimum

[@hansonlife9465]

@@trogarmy you're a champion. Thanks for all the tips! You have me seriously considering throwing an extra 12" of flat in the bottom. It's no too much work to rip a couple boards.

[@trogarmy]

@@hansonlife9465 better now than later...

[@scoophouser]

How does 10ft of flat work with 2’ height? In comparison to OC Ramps 2’ height 8’ flat (I think it’s 8ft) do you keep your speed well?

[@trogarmy]

10 ft is always the way if possible, speed will be determined by radius and pumping ability

[@ras0ne]

Do you recommend sealing the surface of the underlayment facing the ground? Did you use 1 5/8 screws for all the studs?

[@_-0_x_-_p_0-_]

I've been doing a lot of research lately because I'm starting a my ramp build this week. As you can see, I'm still watching ramp building videos, lol. I don't think you need to seal anything but the surface layer unless you use Gatorskins or Skatelite etc. That includes the sides as well. Use pressure treated for everything if it's available and within your budget. I'm planning on painting my ramp with exterior paint on the sides and matte or low gloss porch paint for the surface. I've also seen people suggest a layer of tar paper between the surface layer and the base layers of plywood. This makes sense to me because if your top layer happens to get wet it would soak through to the bottom sheets and get trapped. I'm no expert, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night.

[@Ccovellijr]

What did you use for the skating surface? Birch?

[@trogarmy]

Yes. 5 ply 1/4" Baltic birch

[@MikeSenese]

Any thoughts on installing the top layer diagonally to keep the wheels from clicking over the seams at a perfect 90º angle?

[@trogarmy]

Done that. That's going to cost extra. It's nice and quiet that's for sure

[@andrewspicer3493]

What diameter coping are you using and what reveal do you go for on the deck and transition? Does 9mm / 3/8” sound about right?

[@trogarmy]

its called schedule 40 2" pipe and its 2 3/8" total. i like 1/4" up front 3/8" on the deck. i shim up the coping from underneath a quarter inch usually.

[@32srt32]

why are you putting 2 holes in instead of mounting with a hook bolt and bolt it from the backside? so you wont have any holes exposed?

[@trogarmy]

thats another way to do it but time is money and the cost of ramps with current wood prices is already almost twice as much as a year ago. this is just quicker and never had an issue with exposed holes