Doc Blackhart
trades his scalpel
for power tools
and practices ply
pathology
RAMP
WORLD
BY
DON
FISHER
32 THRASHER MAG
Hello all you ramp rats out there.
This month heralds the return of our
ramp column. Ramp World will cover
every aspect of building, owning, rid-
ing, finding and destroying ramps of
all shapes and sizes. We'll lay down.
the basics each month, update you on
design ideas and construction tech-
niques, and field your questions about
slapping ply.
Small Is Beautiful
In the past, mini-ramps were built to
fulfill the vertical urge of pioneers who
lacked space or wood. Fence planks,
construction site scraps, old billboard
signs, any type of used wood, even
sheet metal was gathered to build
impromptu ramps. Mini-ramps were
thrown quickly together, usually built
with quick transitions and a little vert.
They stood under eight feet tall and
were sixteen feet wide at most.
Over the past five years minis have
evolved into present day specs.
Slower, graduated transitions (some
times called elliptical), extensions and
coping are the rule today. This type of
ramp has allowed neighborhood dare
devils to quickly and easily learn the
basics and advance the board/ bal
ance control of skating to unbeliev-
able lengths. Street tricks done on
curbs and planters can be adapted to
small transitioned ramps, which in
turn lead you to larger vertical ramps.
Your average mini-ramp is much
smaller than a large vertical ramp,
which increases the possible loca-
tions. If you've already built street
ramps, you have all the basics needed
to construct a mini-ramp.
Let's go over a few tips to make a
mini that rips.
First, find a cool location where the
ramp can live for a while. Remember
to use the site which best suits your
needs, considering factors like sun,
window protection and neighbors.
• What overall design do you want?
You could incorporate any number of
these features in your ramp design: a
spine, hip, extensions, escalator up to
the extension, roll in, different transi-
tions, parking block coping, large
deck or curved walls. Look under-
neath the ramps at the local park, if
there's one near you, to see how they
are built. A mini with a spine is often
more work than a larger vertical ramp.
You must decide the height. A seven-
to eight-foot transition is favorable.
•If you're building on top of a near-flat
surface, construct the flatbottom in
place. If the surface isn't level, you'll
have to use a level and wood scraps
to shim up your flatbottom and build
templates to ensure a near-level rid-
ing surface. Cinder blocks, foundation
piers, even cement can be used, but
wood scraps are the cheapest and
easiest way to level your ramp.
Once you've done the brain strain
on designing the structure, draw out
your transitions on plywood and cut
them out, closely following your radius
line. Waste not, want not. Use your
cut off scraps for the tops of those
transitions.
Nail your crossbraces on six or
eight-inch centers (six is stronger).
Don't forget to double up the braces
where your first layer sheets meet or
you'll get kinks.
Plying the surface is next on the
agenda. Two layers of half-inch ply
should do the trick. The first layer
should be placed and nailed evenly.
Hopefully your framework is square.
Drywall screws can be used if you
want a portable ramp. The second
layer may have to be cut to size to
cover all the seams from the first
layer. Three-eighth or quarter-inch
should be used as surface ply.
Angling the layer prevents kinks at
seams and gives a stronger riding
surface with less flex. Measure up
your masonite (or a third layer of ply
in more humid states). Screw it on for
easy removal and replacement.
A strong deck is a must! Nail your
deck well to support it solidly. The out-
come of your ramp depends on the
coping so take your time and do it
right. Screw the decks down three-
quarter inch (thick ply) so they are
butted tightly against the coping but
lower than the top height.
If you're using steel coping drill one-
eighth inch holes through both sides
of the pipe. Using a larger bit, drill
through one side of the pipe a hole
that a screwdriver can fit through.
Holes should be on both ends and
evenly spaced across the length of
the pipe.
Now you should be ready to skate
away with your posse. If you want.
more details on building your first
ramp, order the Thrasher Ramp plans
by sending a check or money order
for $4.25 (includes shipping) to:
RAMPS c/o THRASHER Magazine,
P.O. Box 884570, San Francisco, CA
94188-4570.
If you've got an idea, comment or
anything concerning ramps, drop us a
line and fill us in on your scene. Well,
that about wramps it up.
LIFE IS
TOUGH.
MIGHT AS
MB
CRANK
UP TO
TO A
HB
OAR
GET IT
OUT OF YOUR
SYSTEM.
BRODYS
The new album
IMPACT IS
IMMINENT
Featuring
OBJECTION OVERRULED
CHANGING OF THE GUARD
IMPACT IS IMMINENT
THE LUNATIC PARADE
MPACT IS
MENT
FOUR ALBUMS AND
STILL NO BALLAD
Produced by The H-Team
Management: Tosi Isabella / Bill Graham Management
NOW ON TOUR WITH
SUICIDAL TENDENCIES
ON CAPITOL CASSETTES,
COMPACT DISCS AND RECORDS.
Capitol