Tiny Ramp Trainer for Skateboarding

Like many street skaters, I have never been able to drop into a pool or half-pipe, but I have a feeling this will change with my new tiny ramp trainer. I found many duplicate plans out there for a "mini ramp," but when I found myself standing up on one, the ramp didn't seem so "mini". I decided I needed an even smaller ramp, and the tiny ramp was born. I knew if I added an elastic balance handle, I would feel better about the drop in, especially as I am getting older. I built the entire thing out of discarded construction materials. I managed to clean up a dumpsite and turn some trash into treasure.

1. Discarded wood and plastic pipes.

I found a bunch of materials that were illegally dumped at a slash pit, so I salvaged everything I could. I have a really cool reflective "road closed" sign that is a little weathered but has some salvageable sides. For the coping I have some really cool orange tubing. For the training handle, I have a bungee cable and a half.

1. Tools

I am using a jigsaw and spiral saw to cut the shapes, power drills for screw guns, tape measures to fit it up, and a few clamps. To hold everything together, I am using recycled screws. To shape the panel wood, I will use a large water barrel. To draw the curve, a hose or string will work nicely.

https://www.tinkercad.com/things/iXLcwd0npoB-tiny-ramp-for-skateboarding?sharecode=l4UrOerDbcpG4P-e7h-2leQ8UwI9hez2S2y9bHd7dTQ

I decided I would need to plan the dimensions before I built, so I used the online autodesk software, available at tinkerbox (check the link above for the project). I changed the setting from metric to standard (imperial) so I could get a better estimate of the size I wanted. I knew that if the curve was too sharp then the board won't fit it in. I put a chair in next to it for size reference. I planned for a 2.5' high ramp that is 3' long.

To do this, I tilted the sign on its corner and clamped a hose on. You could use a string. I traced along the hose to get the curvature, and I tested the curve against a skateboard deck. I cut it out with the jigsaw. I flipped the cut out and clamped it down to copy it on the other side.

To shape the ramp surface, I clamped together the panel boards, soaked them, and set my water barrel on top. Filling the barrel with water gave it enough weight to help curve the panels. I left it sitting for a couple days, occasionally rewetting it.

I measured and cut some 2x4's to the same length and aligned them along the curve. I finished the basic frame, and I made sure to leave room at the top for the coping. I screwed through the plastic tube to attach it.

Once the coping was attached, I butted the panels up against it and screwed them down along the top. I clamped a board along the bottom for a guide and then I trimmed the panels even. I gripped the coping with one hand and put my weight into the panels to flex them down. With my other hand I screwed them in and worked downward so gravity would work with me.

I pieced together the remaining flat panels like a quilt. I had these cool triangles that I had found, so I put them together to make a tiny slope at the other end. I cut some more tube and added it as a bit of trainer coping to the top of the slope.

I was able to find a fairly flat spot in the yard, right next to a tree. I shimmed it up with scraps to make it more level. I skate goofy, so I kept the tree on the right side. On a branch, I attached the bungee. Keep in mind, the balance handle is not to support your weight, instead it is there to reinforce your balance.

I started on the other end of the runway, doing mock drop-ins on the flat panels. I moved up to the slope and tried getting used to the coping. When I felt good about it, I moved up to the big ramp. I grabbed the elastic balance handle, and plunged...

You can also use the handle to practice flatland tricks. When you skate, be sure to wear the proper safety gear. I don't own any right now, but you should get some if you are planning to learn how to drop-in. If you are planning to build a ramp, be careful, and make sure to have fun!