Home mini ramp
Lately we have been getting a lot inquiries about home mini ramps. So in response we have decided to add some information to help you work out the expected price, and give you some construction hints.
Plans above left showing 3.6m wide, or 3 sheets. 1.2m high or one std sheet height. Flat bottom 2.4m long A transition radius of about 2.4m The platform a sheet wide 1.2m
Plans above right showing mark out of one sheet of ply, getting one internal and one external transition support. We started the transition of the external side sheet about 150mm in from the end to give the sheet a 'toe' to fix to the flat bottom. (see pic below) and Detail of fixing the coping and the amount it needs to protrude from the surface and top platform.
Pictures above showing frame work needed to support the ply sheets, Pic right showing the middle and external transitions, notice how the middle ones are notched the external ones have a curved strip of ply screwed to the internal face to support the transition frame.
Pic above left shows the ramp with ply sheets down, we used 15mm sheets for the flat bottom, and two layers of 7mm ply sheets for the transition. Pic right showing completed ramp with top decking and handrails.
Completed ramp with lights, We surfaced the ramp with 9.5mm thick sheets of "WeatherTex" at 45 degrees angle.
To give you an idea of the cost of a ramp this size I have broken down the materials used and off the top of my head a rough idea of the cost per item. For firm prices contact your local timber supplier.
Cutting and materials list.
11 sheets of 1.2m X 3.6m 9.5mm 'WeatherTex' Surface sheets. $100 per sheet. Total $1,100.00
4 sheets of 1.2m X 2.4m 15mm Ply. Transition profiles. $60 per sheet. Total $ 240.00
3 sheets of 1.2m X 2.4m 18mm Ply. Platform and flat base. $75 per sheet. Total $ 225.00
3 sheets of 1.2m X 2.4m 15mm Ply. Platform and flat base. $60 per sheet. Total $ 180.00
12 sheets of 1.2m X 2.4m 7mm Ply. Transition surface. $30 per sheet. Total $ 360.00
36 lengths of 75mm X 38mm X 3.6m timber. Transition joists. $1 to $1.95 per meter. Total $ 252.00
7 lengths of 90mm X 45mm X 2.4m timber. Flat base frame. $2.90 per meter. Total $ 48.72
3 lengths of 90mm X 45mm X 3.6m timber. Flat base frame. $2.90 per meter. Total $ 31.32
4 lengths of 90mm X 45mm X 3.6m timber. Decking frame $2.90 per meter. Total $ 41.76
8 lengths of 90mm X 45mm 1.2m timber. Decking frame. $2.90 per meter. Total $ 27.84
2 lengths of 90mm X 38mm X 3.6m timber. Handrails $2.20 per meter. Total $ 15.84
6 lengths of 90mm X 100mm X 2.1m timber. Posts handrails. $15 per meter. Total $ 189.00
2 lengths of 50mm int Dia 60 ext dia X 3.6m long Galvanised pipe Coping $20.00 per meter. Total $ 144.00
6 X 100mm X 8mm gal bolts. Weld to coping to fix in position. $2 each. Total $ 12.00
Bags and bags of screws, 35mm and 45mm. $4 - $6 a bag of 100. Estimated total $ 80.00
Paint, we used left over and wrongly coloured mixed paint at least 4 x 4ltr tins, $ 30.00 each Total $ 120.00
Estimated total materials cost $ 3,065.00 add about 3 to 4 days labour at least, and you have yourself a very sick home mini ramp.
To save some money you could make the ramp only two sheets wide, and try and find second hand timber etc, it's up to you.
