To put it simply, a ramp is any inclined surface that is used to ease the travel between two points, with usually one of the points elevated from the other. It is one of the simplest machines, as the inclined surface makes the ascent to an elevated point much, much easier than when it is done vertically.
To build one, one only needs the simplest of materials to make a ramp that will make the traversing to and fro an elevated spot always a leisurely stroll.
Constructing a ramp requires the following materials: some wood, nails and screws, pink foam, some carpet samples, bricks, a gutter, some rubber treads, masking tape, white colored and black colored PVC, and some colored stickers.
The tools required for this project is as varied as the materials: one needs a posthole digger, a tape measure, a tin snip, claw and framing hammers, some blueprints, nail belts and pullers, a caulking gun, screwdrivers, a plumb bob, a handsaw, a nail gun, some drills, a clam, a hacksaw, a measuring thread, a staple gun, and a chisel.
First and foremost, before starting to construct one's own ramp, one must first consult the building code in place in one's area so as to avoid any legal troubles. One may be required to acquire a building permit before one can start to construct one's DIY ramp.
To begin constructing the ramp, one first needs to measure the ground to ascertain the length of the ramp materials to be used. For every inch that the ramp will be elevated from the ground, 1' will be required. To put a turn at the ramp's top, one will have to have a square landing 5' in size and is with batter boards. After measuring, one place the ramp edges with the help of batter boards and masonry lines. To make a perfect triangle, one will have to apply the 3 4 5 triangle principle to square and level the positions for the ramp.
To create a firm base for the ramp, one will have to dig in some 3” into the ground. One can now place the post locations using a masking tape and some plum bob and some powdered chalk to transfer the marks to the posts. After this, make holes 6” in the ground using a posthole digger before retying the lines indicating exterior post faces.
Next to setting up the ramp is filing the tubes with concrete. Use pre mixed ingredients for the concrete and ensure that air bubbles are eliminated. Let it dry for about two days before starting to work on it again.
After everything needed is set up, cut some crossbeams in the same length as the exterior faces. Then, make some holes for the bolts on the beam using a hole driller. Use a washer to make sure that they are fastened firmly. Reinforce the landing joists with the running joists. Make sure that the landing joists are laid out and cut to fit perfectly in the sides between the posts. One can now try the ramp by stepping on it and doing some trial shakes.
Building a ramp for one's place need not be expensive as it is very much easy to construct one out of materials that are readily available and at one's reach.
John Grant is a the author for a how to do it your self site where he is writing articles about how to build a ramp.
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