Making the Right Halfpipe By John Grant At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Finding the appropriate halfpipe to fit your preference can be difficult, so the best thing to do is to make one yourself. If you do it yourself you can ensure that all your needs will be met and you won’t have to worry that something is just not perfect.

Although you can construct one, consider getting your friends involved; not only does it make things easier, but its also more fun. Especially after it is done and you all can then use it and know that it was something you all built together for fun and adventure.

Don’t worry, this project is not going to be as difficult as you might at first think. Just make a plan and stick tto it and in no time you will have it up and ready for use.

The materials you will need to make the halfpipe are easily obtainable; 8 sheets of plywood (3/4”), stock (2 x 4), a 10” PVC pipe, several nails, ½ screws and laminate. To put the whole thing together, you will need a hammer, a fishing line, a measuring tape, some pencil and paper, and a saw. A drill with bit selections is also necessary.

The first thing that you will have to do is find an ideal spot. This will determine how large the halfpipe will be. Next, you put down the framing system, which consists of two proportioned sides. Get the 2 x 4 stock and make a bracing structure 4” wide and 8” long. The surface should have two sections (4 x 8) and floor support about 7” and 7/8” spaced apart.

Next place the bracing (horizontal and vertical) on the side. It should be about 3”3 tall, with three pieces. Use the fishing line to fashion out a curve with a radius of approximately 5”7 ½”. This will serve as the halfpipe bowl.

Use the radius to make the side bracing, noting the areas of support. Join the vertical sides using the cross members. They should be about 7 and half inches apart. Do not forget to double them up at the point of the plywood beams so they will not break up when you utilize them.

The plywood will serve as the decking; connect it with the screws. To create the platform and the ramp, you just double the plywood decking. To make the ramp easier to use, place a smooth surface above the plywood.

The last thing you will build for the halfpipe is the grinding rail (the starting platform and the decking join up). To mitigate the damage to these areas, get the 10” PVC pipe. Use the screws to fasten it to the plywood.

There will be times when you will need to disassemble the halfpipe. It is for this reason that you should use screws than nails, because it will make it easier to pull the whole thing apart and back together again. Also, covering the halfpipe with any material that will protect it from heavy rain will be necessary.

Of course, you should regularly inspect the halfpipe and replace any parts that have been subject to wear and tear.

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