o/t - For all the skaters on this site...

I'm about done building a halfpipe for me and the kiddos to skate, and I'm stuck as to what to surface it with... what are you guys using and how long has it lasted for you? any splinter issues w/ ac or bc grades of plywood?

I know there are skateboarding forums, but I got a feeling the construction smarts might be a little higher here, so hopefully you guys can give some advice!

thanks!

 

I know there is a special sheet material for this sort of application,
don't remember the name,but someone here will know..

 

Masonite? Its been a while since Ive skated a ramp but thats what Ive used before.

 

skate lite is an improved version of masonite, smoother, less pourous, and slightly more weather resistant.

pricey too, but well worth the money. ...and you don't have to install it on a diagonal like you're supposed to with moasonite.

 

Skatelite is worth the money, Masonite doesn't hold up nearly as well.

 

I've read that masonite can be coated w/ spar urethane to make it last outside, anybody have luck with that? I'm in indiana so it has to last thru rain and snow!

I can't see spending the dough on skatelite, I think it's $150 a sheet plus shipping and i need 9 sheets...

 

anybody every try 1/4 lauan as a surface?

 

http://www.buyskatelite.com/

 

Kevin, any idea what grade plywood you used? did paint make it too slippery?

 

Yes Luan works well...

but skatelite or ramp armor are king....

lasts a hell of a lot longer as well...

 

I'm out here in Tucson, AZ where you can cut the humidity with a knife. We used masonite on the top surface. A lot of guys will use plywood by getting it wet, shape it, then screw it down. Just be sure to throw a tarp on it when rain and snow season arrive.

 

If you really want it to last skatelite is the only way to go, it's pricey but will pay for it self after a few seasons, however I'm still a firm believer that nothing riders like Masonite. A couple tricks to make it last is paint the plywood under it then waterseal the backside of the Masonite (and really let it soak in). When it rains trap it running a rope from deck to deck so the trap hangs like a tent and you should be able to get at least 3 seasons out of it.

PS this thread is WAY off topic and should be closed, take it to www.slapmagazine.com their forum is the premier skate forum.

 

We've used Masonite coated w/ paint & usually recoated it once a year.
Last last half we built was just like Kevin said, 2 layers of 3/8 & a final layer of 1/4, w/ paint & it lasted for 3 yrs. before being completely neglected by the kids & I.
There's a guy here, down the road from my house, that builds professional ramps & sk8parks all over & of course they use skatelite. He has also built a bunch of them out of various sizes of square tubing & sheet metal, maybe 16-14 gauge. His place is called Rex Ramps & his name is Doug King. Super cool guy.

Since you're like the rest of us, on a budget, go w/ the 2 layer, 1 layer w/ paint & just cover it like beamishstout says, in the wet/winter months.

I'm thinking of building a small launch out of metal, to test my new wave ramp making abilities, ha. The bending is the tricky part, w/out a 3 wheel bender. Seems like that will be the biggest challenge.