Constructing a basic wood wheel chair ramp provides a much needed way to access porches and doorways for those who use wheel chairs. A very basic wood wheel chair ramp can be made from just a few basic materials bought at any home supply store. With the proper knowledge you can construct a wheel chair ramp that will provide just about anyone who uses a wheel chair access to a porch or through a doorway.
To be a success at tackling this project there are a few things you'll need. The first of the things you will need is a jigsaw, a pencil, a protractor, and a ruler. Next you will need a 4 foot by 8 foot ¾ inch thick piece of plywood, 2 - 8 foot long 2-by-4's, 2 - 4 foot long 2-by-4's, 2 - 1 foot long 2-by-4's. The next few things you'll need are a hammer, some 3 inch nails, some latex paint, and some sand. The last two things you will need for the project are a paint stick, and a paint brush. Once you have these materials in hand you can begin building the wheelchair ramp.
To build the wheelchair ramp it takes six simple steps. The first of which is for you to use the protractor, ruler and pencil to measure and mark a 45 degree angle on the sides at one end of each of the two 8 foot long 2-by-4's. Then you take the jigsaw and cut along the line you just created. This makes the ground end of the incline supports.
For your second step you need to use the two 4 foot long 2-by-4's and the two 1 foot long 2-by-4's to construct a box. The box will measure 1 foot high by 4 feet long. You will need to use the hammer and 3 inch nails to attach these boards on their ends to one another to create the box.
The third step of the project is to use the hammer and 3 inch nails to attach the uncut ends of the two 8 foot long 2-by-4's to sides of the 1 foot high box. This sets the incline supports into place on the box. The basic structure of the ramp is now made.
For the fourth step you will need to attach the 4 foot by 8 foot ¾ inch thick plywood sheet to the incline supports. Do this by first laying it onto the incline supports and then using the hammer to drive 3 inch nails along the edge of the plywood piece and into the incline supports and the top support of the 1 foot high box. The basic structure of the ramp is complete at this point.
Step 5 is to pour the sand into the latex paint and then mix it up with the paint stick. This creates a non skid mixture that when painted onto the ramp will help prevent slipping in inclement weather.
The final step is for you to use the paint brush to paint the ramp surface of the plywood. This will provide, when dried, the non skid surface that prevents slipping in rain, ice or snow. Allow about 2 days for the paint to fully dry before you use the ramp. At this point the ramp has been completely finished and will provide use for those needing access to porches and doorways.
As a final tip, it may be helpful if you are having to use this ramp with an extremely heavy person to add a couple of cross braces on the ramp between the incline supports. Also it might be recommended with an extra heavy person to use 4-by-4 lumber and 6 inch nails with this design as opposed to the 2-by-4's the design presented above calls for. Either way the steps will be the same in the construction of the ramp. By following the plan outlined above, you should find it an easy to follow plan that gives you a solid ramp that will provide much use for you and those needing access to buildings.
Sources
Wheel Chair Ramp.org: Handyman Articles - Handy Ramps
The Wheelchair Site: Wooden Wheelchair Ramps
Mobility Advisor: Build a Wheelchair Ramp
wheelchair ramps for the home
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