6 Foot Halfpipe: A complete guide by Rick Dahlen

Build this ramp with this complete how-to guide for around $450 US!

These plans are for a beginners halfpipe and were designed to take the best advantage of the dimensions of 4'x8' plywood and 2\"x4\"x8' studs and have little waste. In my research I was told that inline skaters like a little steeper slope than skateboarders so I designed the plans to have two versions.

AMERICAN MEASUREMENTS:
Skateboard version is 24'L x 8'W x 3'3\"H and has a platform a little over 2' deep. The other is for inline skating, this one has a steeper slope and is a little higher. 21'L x 8'W x 4'H with a platform about 1' 4\" deep. The flat bottom is 8'x8'.

EVERYONE ELSE (METRIC) MEASUREMENTS (approx) :
Skateboard version is 7.312m L x 2.438m W x 1m H and has a platform a little over .609m deep. It has a 2.286m radius transition curve.The other is for inline skating, this one has a steeper slope and is a little higher. 6.4m L x 2.438m W x 1.219m H with a platform about .396m deep. It has a 1.714m radius transition curve. The flat bottom in the middle is 2.438m x 2.438m. These measurements may not be exactly what yours will be. The conversion was based on the dimensions of lumber in America. Your lumber may be slightly different.

You might want to build the skateboard version of the plans, even if you skate, as it is shorter (3'3\" high) and has a gentler slope than the inline skate version. I built the inline skate version and after a year my son, 13, wished it was the skateboard version. It seems even though he's really good it gets tiring cranking up a steeper slope to set yourself up for grinds on the coping. Also I would use a steel pipe for the coping rather than a plastic one. It will hold up to skateboards better and it is a little slower than plastic. The plastic seems a little too fast at times for skaters when they are trying to set themselves up for some grinds.

Put a 4 - 6 mil sheet of plastic under the halfpipe to act as a vapor barrier. It will prevent moisture from condensing under the halfpipe.

Moms and Dads , don't think this replaces skate parks or street skating because it won't. It adds to them. It is a good thing to have for practicing and for beginners to start out on. Believe me, they will love you for it.

Download:
Download the free halfpipe guide that is 12 pages! Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view these plans so go install it if you don't have it already.

6 Foot Halfpipe Plans  (311kb PDF format)


Buy the halfpipe plans DVD and blueprint!
4' Skateboard & Inline Halfpipe - Plans, Manual & DVD Video (Half Pipe Blueprints)

Buy the Ramp Plans HOWTO Book
Thrasher Presents How to Build Skateboard Ramps, Halfpipes, Boxes, Bowls and More

Special thanks to Rick Dahlen for this guide

Last update:  02-20-2008
Submitted by Ramprage