I've got the garage, I've got the tools, I've almost got the materials - time to build!
I didn't want to build a jump as a) it's pretty flat at home and b) I didn't want to shift it very far. I used to have a small, plastic ramp and it still took up lots of space and was cumbersome to carry.
So, why not a mini quarter?
Whilst I could work out an optimal size and shape for the space that I have, I reckoned that first time round I just find some plans on-line and build like-for-like. On completion, I'd ether have the optimal mini quarter, or have one to sell or destroy. Either way, I'd have the experience for the next time that I wanted to do something similar.
Never done anything like this before, so follow my progress and see how far we get before it all goes terribly wrong.
So, first things first: find some plans!
DIY Skate have some good ones here:
http://www.diyskate.com/quarter_01.html
There may be better ramps around, but the instructions seem intuitive enough and they rate this project 'Medium' difficulty, so hopefully slightly challenging without being a total pain.
They list the approximate cost to be $80, so around £50. I'll keep a note of costings as I go along and try not to go over this figure.
Next up, materials!
Whilst trying to keep I could pinch stuff off building sites and keep costs to a bear minimum, for a variety of reasons, I wont be doing this, this time round. We don't do badly though locally for timber yards, and if that fails, there's always the possibility of trying B&Q/Homebase/Focus etc. Also, to keep costs down, I'm buying untreated wood as it shouldn't get damp in the garage and probably won't be used outside right away if ever.
I've run into problems in the past trying to get sheets of timber into the car of 4 foot width or greater. Length is not a problem and the 8 foot lengths of 2"x4" slid nicely down the passenger side of my Ford C-max. I've purchased 6 lengths of 8 foot 2"x4" for £3.20 a length from
Fletchers Timber (Derby). Unfortunately, when it came to large sheets of 3/4" ply, they only had large 4'x8' sheets that they were unwilling to cut down for me, or smaller, rougher sheets, that dimension wise, didn't fit with the plans that I had. Time to explore to DIY superstores.....
Ok, forget the DIY superstores. Although many of them had a 'cutting service', the cost of timber is astronomical - I could have blown the budget just on wood for the top and sides of the frame.
Next stop,
Derby Timber Supplies. Once I'd returned during office hours (7.30am to 4pm), they were more than happy to sell me a 4'x8' sheet of 3/4" ply and cut it lengthways down the middle, all for £20.40. I was going to have to cut it this way at some point anyway so so far, so good!
Next up, Part 2 where I envision having to source the ramp surface material and coping. The ramp material will be tricky as it'll have to be 4'x4'1'' and won't fit in the car, and I've absolutely no idea where I'll get the coping from unless for now I use plastic piping. Now that I've got some materials, I could always make a start so watch this space.
I really haven't done any more than this yet, so any build tips or suggestions appreciated!!!!
