Building a Private Ramp: Part Three

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After the frame is legit, the coping is going to need to be set.  Setting the coping correctly is extremely important in how your ramp rides. If the coping sticks out too much over the deck, you will get locked up on board tricks. If the coping sticks out over the top surface of the ramp, then it will be hard to get onto the coping and it will pop the board upward. If the coping is sunken in too much, then it will be hard to lock onto tricks. The coping needs to be just right! You want your coping to stick up over the deck/platform about 1/2".

To set the coping, you are going to need to jigsaw a little square piece where the coping will rest. This cut is the most important cut you will make on the ramp next to the transition cut, so make sure you get this right! Remember, the coping can't sit more than 1/2" over the top of the deck. If it is more than that, you will get hung up and fall to flat.  After you cut these square notches where the coping will sit, you want to reinforced the area the coping will be resting with 2x4s. It is recommended to put a 2x4 on the bottom and back of where the coping will sit for extra support.

To put the coping on, you are going to need to drill two sets of holes into the coping. One set on the outside, to get a drill bit and the screw into the coping and through to the other side. These hole in the coping should be about a half inch diameter. The next set of holes should be drilled on the other side of the coping through the set of holes you just drilled in the front of the coping. The second set of holes should be big enough that the screw body will go through, but it will catch the head of the screw.  There are other ways to put the coping on, but this is the most simple. If it is done correctly, the coping should set perfectly in the square notches that you jigsawed out in the beginning. You will need a set of about four holes per twelve feet of coping. 

Once you get the coping on there securely, protect the frame...

You can protect it numerous ways...

Painting is one way to protect the frame. You can also use polyurethane or water sealant. Now that coping is legit! Notice the outside drill holes where you install the screws for the coping.

A completely protected frame.

 Now, that's a crispy look frame! The next step is to add the layers of plywood. You will need at least two layers of 3/8" ply. After that, you will want to put down a third layer of wood, masonite, or the optimal material: Skatelite.

Putting down the layers is the most tedious, but most rewarding part of the process!

Its amazing what you can get done in a days work! At this point, the end is very near! After this, only two layers will need to be laid down, and the ramp will be 100% skateable.