Our Backyard skatepark-The Decking

The Decking

Materials:
2 X 4's. Standard grade (8' long) 6 per 4' X 8' section. Cost me: $1.76ea.
Plywood. 4' X 8' X 1/2" CCX grade (Sanded and plugged on one side, Exterior). Cost me: $17.99ea.
Nails. 2 sizes, big ones for building the framing, smaller ones for attatching the plywood to the framing. I didn't use galvenized nails even though I knew normal nails would leave rust stains. I have a hard time not bending and loosing my temper with galvenized nails. Screws would probably be a better idea for attatching the plywood to the framework, to prevent the inevitable nail's popping up and ripping you up if you slide on one. I personally chose to just use nails for now and it seems to be working out fine.

Best method!

O.K method.

Bad-Boo-Boo method.

How to: Each section is 4' X 8',with the long vertical 2 X 4's being 93", trimmed 8 footers 'cus the are nailed inside the top and bottom, horizontal, 4' long 2 X 4 peices. These long, vertical 2 X 4's are roughly 12" on center. It's critical that that all the edges of the sheet of plywood are supported. The way I've shown how to build these sections may look like I'm using more 2 X 4's than needed, by using the two nailed together where the two sections join. I am not a great carpenter and have found that going ahead and doubling up the two 2 X 4's where the two sections meet guarantees the edge of the sheet of plywood will have support. This is also a good way to secure the sections of decking together, so they are connected by the framing, the underneath framing is woven together, making a firmer, heavier base. NOTE: I recommend nailing the 2 verticle edge of section 2 X 4's together BEFORE you attach them to the horizontal top and bottom boards.

DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT A PROFESSIONAL CARPENTER, ALL THE IDEAS ON THESE PAGES ARE JUST MY PERSONAL WAY OF BUILDING SKATEBOARDING RAMPS. MY WAY MAY NOT PROVE TO BE THE BEST, THE LEGALIST, THE MOST ENDURING, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH. IN OTHER WORDS, IF ANYTHING BAD HAPPENS AS A RESULT OF USING MY IDEAS, DON'T BLAME ME, YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN, BABY. 'K?

While I'm at it...PLEASE DON'T RIP ME OFF! THESE ARE MY IDEAS AND DRAWINGS, FOR BETTER OR WORSE. USE THEM FOR YOUR PERSONAL USE, BUT PLEASE DON'T TRY TO MAKE A BUCK FROM MY STUFF OR PRETEND THESE IDEAS AND DRAWINGS ARE YOURS. GET IT? GOT IT? GOOD.