RAMP WORLD
Dr. Rick's mini
got its avic-
tion notice
this summer,
but not before
Doug Smith
laid it to
waste with
Building a ramp can seem like a
monumental undertaking, but if it is
done right, a little work can yield
endless hours of satisfying shred-
ding. This month, Tim Payne out-
lines pre-building considerations
for any ramp and answers a couple
of questions from the mail bag.
the serious TIM PAYNE'S Q&A CORNER
backside hip
If you are building your first ramp, my
attack. advice is, keep it simple. Let the ramp
grow with your skating needs. Maybe
start with a quarter-pipe, then a mini,
and, if you stick with it, eventually a
"whopper of a ramp like in the mags."
Before you even trace the first tem-
plate, find out if owning a ramp is even
possible. Get the legalities straight. If
you screw up on some local building
codes, you could lose your ramp or
even be fined. Get advice from a car-
penter or contractor who is familiar
24 THASHER MAGAZINE
with local ordi-
nances. Outline
plans with your
parents or landlord
so they won't be
shocked when
they come home
to a full-on ses-
sion.
Neighbor com-
plaints are the
leading cause of
backyard ramp de-
struction. If your
relationship with
them is smooth,
things will be eas-
ier. Most people
don't understand
skateboarding.
and, subsequently,
don't comprehend
the size and ram-
ifications of such a
project. Let them
know beforehand
what it entails and
how it will affect
them (noise, view,
etc.). Talk to them
ahead of time, ex-
plain your side
and, most impor-
tantly, listen to
them. If they are
opposed to the
ramp, try to com-
promise; propose
setting up a skat
ing schedule, and keeping the ses-
sion size limited and the volume down.
them into the existing framework.
making sure the templates are lined
up. When you attach the first layer of
ply, make sure the seams are even. If
they are off just slightly, they will even-
tually wear through. Stagger the
seams by half a sheet when you lay
down the second layeor. Throw down
a new skin of Masonite over the whole
mess and you're in there.
LEGAL BRIEF
How do I go about getting a public
skatepark started in my town?
Angel David Ripoll
Fontana, CA
The first thing to do is come up with
a proposal that details what you want
and where you would do it. Then go to
the city management and explain to
them that you want to get off the
streets, and that there are tennis
courts and basketball courts, so why
not a "skate court"? If you are clean
and well-mannered and are willing to
present your case with a sense of
responsibility, there is no telling what
might happen. You could end up work-
ing for the city designing and creating
a ripping structure. Hey, bottom line,
the worst they can do is say no.
Keep the letters coming. Next
month Tim gives the low-down on
minis. In answer to the hundreds of
letters asking how to buy Ramp
Plans: It's easy, just send $5.00
(postage & handling included) to:
Thrasher Ramp Plans, P.O. Box
884570, S.F., CA 94188-4570.
Let them know you're flexible and RAMP OF THE MONTH
looking out for their interests. Now
bring on the questions.
EASY WIDER
How do I widen my ramp by four
feet without screwing it up?
Paul Richards
Talladegga, FL
The key is to duplicate the original
transition. If you have the original
plans to your ramp, this will be much
easier. If not, try and trace the existing
template and transfer that shape to a
new transition. Take off the skating.
surface to expose the framework on
the side you're extending. Build the
new frames away from the ramp (two)
opposing trannies and one flat bottom).
and make sure they are strong. Attach
the flat first, then each tranny. Nail
The Naked Ramp, conceived by Robert
Householder (no lie) of Custar, Ohio.
Robert's ramp incorporates that classic
American institution, the front porch, into
his design. Now Rob can shred while
Ma and Pa sit back in their rocking
chairs. This gives new meaning to the
term roll-out deck. Robert also solved
the crossover problem of whether to
build a street area or a mini-ramp-ho's
got elements of both. It's even coated
with a smooth baby blue exterior paint
for a uniform look.
THE HOOD
PACKET
HARDWEAR
WEVILE
FEATURED ARE
O
DEALERS CALL
[213]450-3116