Hand drawn Bank Ramp plans
[ Thanks to Sam Basham, Winston-Salem North Carolina, USA ]
Sam shows us that your own plans don't have to be too complicated you can draw them up really quickly on some graph paper.
[ click on the images for larger versions ]
Sam Basham:
These plans are for a nice strong bank that doesn't require Masonite! [ It ] also [ uses ] cheaper but thicker wood for the layers on top costing you less money and [ you ] have a stronger ramp! This ramp is 4 foot tall 8 foot wide and about 7 feet long. For this ramp I make it in two 4 foot sections that are exactly alike! To make them exactly alike i cut only a 5 foot 1 inch block out and slice a diagonal line from one corner to the opposite one. Then I trace the one I cut on the other sheet to make them the same! Now I put the ribs (2X4's) 12 inches apart to make it a tad but stronger and longer lasting. For the deck to support it I make a SIMPLE frame system which I screw on the bottom for easy installation. I take four 44 and a half inch long 2X4s and nail them to two 4 foot 2X4's then make two sections and screw them together. Then I just screw them to the framing system of the deck. Now there are different ways to make the deck frame. I would recommend making a frame thats 4 foot long and 2 foot wide. Put about 2 2X4's in the middle of the then screw it to the frame system described above. For this way you will need around 5 to 8 more 2X4's then i have listed in the diagrams! The other way is getting another sheet of 1 inch thick plywood and making the die cut outs extend out 2 feet so all you do is nail some 2X4's in each side... choose what you like best! Now for putting on the skin first use the press board for the first layer. make sure its 1/2 inch thick. Also other things you can do for this ramp is put a hand rail on the back side of the deck Make sure to paint it too! OR also since this ramp is a little tall... You could build a nice little ladder. for easy access!
