Beginner needs a ramp

[bakechad]

I am very new to woodworking. As a matter of fact, my only project to date has been cutting up an old ping-pong table to throw out. I would like to start learning new skills and acquiring tools as they become necessary.

This brings me to my question. I have a 26' x 12' shed on a concrete slab. There is an eight-foot wooden ramp that leads 16" up to a set of double doors. The ramp is starting to show signs of rot. The last board on the bottom has fallen off and board underneath is rotted. So I have decided that I need to build a new ramp. My question is, "Is this a project for a beginner or am I out of my mind?"

Thanks

[Guess who]

Yes, and yes. All woodworkers are beginners, and they are all out of their mind. You'd think they'd have the sense to get a less dangerous hobby, and one less costly. I should have taken up art. I could call it Impressionism or you'd never know what it was. There's a Hell of a lot more return money in it too.

When you have a specific woodworking question, try again.

[Andy]

project for a beginner or am I out of my mind?"

Go for it - what's the worst that can happen? You end up with a weak or broken ramp? Then you're in the same position you're in now. What I would do: try to err on the side of overbuilding it - 2 layers of

3/4" plywood, a few 2x6 "studs" underneath (everything pressure treated/exterior grade), figure out what angle you need to cut them off so they're flush with the shed. If I thought it necessary, I'd sink some heavy angle-iron or pressure treated stakes into the ground at the bottom end of the ramp, fasten securely to bottom of ramp, cut off excess stake. Use all stainless fasteners. My father had a thrown-together ramp leading into his shed for years that wasn't nearly this carefully constructed, so something like this should last quite a while. I'm sure this wouldn't meet any kind of code, but it's not a dwelling, and I doubt there are any codes for ramps leading into storage sheds, and even if there are, I doubt if anyone would care. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong on that. Good luck, Andy

[CW]

Perfect project for a beginner. If you put your mind to it, you can easily build one that is better than original.

[Thomas Kendrick]

If you have the space and the money, make the ramp 16' long for a 16" rise. Ramps such as this have two critical areas - the first 4' at each end. The high end must be securely supported. The low end will tend to flex because the support structure tapers. Consider using a

2x4 under the low end of the ramp to reduce the flex.