Directions for Building a Halfpipe
- 1). Plan and organize your build. Find plans online or in books for exact measurements. Before you begin building make sure you have all the materials and tools you need. Also make sure you have planned out where you're going to place your halfpipe. Not only do they tend to take up a lot of space, halfpipes are almost always impossible to move.
- 2). Using your plans, tape measure and cutting tool, such as a jigsaw or handsaw, draw and cut out all the pieces you need to build your half-pipe. Don't forget to cut any pieces that you'll want to add on after the ramp is done, such as safety rails or seating at the top.
- 3). Use 2-by-4 or 2-by-6 beams to build the frame of your halfpipe. The flat bottom of the half-pipe frame will be made up of just these pieces. The ramp part of the halfpipe will consist of screwing the beams to plywood that's been measured and cut to form the ramps. Be sure the 2-inch part of the beams are flush with the plywood because this is where you want your surface to lay flat and smooth.
- 4). Once the frame is completed you can begin to lay your halfpipe's surface. There are several different ways of doing this. A popular method is to screw plywood onto the frame, then tar paper over that. Next, finish it off with a smooth surface such as masonite or Skatelite. One way to increase the smoothness of the ramp is to lay the surface diagonally.
- 5). Add any extra features. Many halfpipe owners benefit from things like safety rails or seats at the top of the ramp. You'll also want to put in coping at the very top of the half-pipe on either end. Using metal pipe, you can screw them into the edges. This will not only be good for extreme sports but good for the longevity of your halfpipe.
