Mac's 2009 Ramp Challenge

SethHoldren

Thanks, this kind of list of ideas is exactly what I'm looking for here. You know, "brainstorming."

Please feel free to chime in if you're chewing on a good idea.

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BuiltByMAC

Seth, I don't have your email address so I'll just post Word files here as attachments.

home.txt has some text introducing what the RAT is -
site_map.txt has my version of how the site would be laid out, similar to SLSTech's ideas above -
startup.txt has basic info for contractors interested in getting a RAT going in their city -

More to come...

Mac

Attached Files

	startup.txt (3.7 KB, 48 views)
	site_map.txt (865 Bytes, 38 views)
	home.txt (775 Bytes, 32 views)

BuiltByMAC

A couple of more files,

Captain_training_packet.txt has more detailed instructions for the ramp leaders, including volunteer liability and photo releases, detailed ADA specs for ramps, Vendor donations, etc.
mat_list.txt is a basic materials list for a 24' ramp, similar in style to the one I built and posted pics of.
RAT_logo.jpg is a white background of the logo I designed. Let me know if you want different colors (I always like black as a background, but that's just me!)

I'll work more on the build process file - breaking down the steps I took to actually build the ramp - and get that uploaded soon.

Thanks again for putting the site together, if you're cool w/ it, post your email address here so folks who are building ramps can email you their company info. Or let us know how we can contact you...

My company info is on my ct profile...it's also on my contact page on my website, http://www.builtbymac.com/contact.htm

Mac

Attached Thumbnails

 

Attached Files

	Captain_Training_packet.txt (7.4 KB, 37 views)
	mat_list.txt (517 Bytes, 41 views)

SethHoldren

Hey Mac, I sent you my email in a PM. Good stuff, thanks!

This is fun.

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MALCO.New.York

I am so overjoyed that you are still "Running with the Ball" on this MAC.

And Seth.................YOU DA MAN!!!!

Every good Running Back Needs a Great Blocker and Path Cutter!!!!!

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SethHoldren

Thanks Wolf*

(I'm trying to stick you with a new nickname, in case you hadn't noticed.)

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lawndart

Great idea for a wonderful cause. Around here you would need a permit to do a project like this. Let me see if, I can get an Architect on board here. Seth I could help build that site for you if you like with all the information Mac provided. Let me know if you need some help.

BuiltByMAC

Seems like I have another project on the way...

A local radio station contacted me Mon. about the poss. of building a ramp for a boy through the Make-A-Wish foundation.
I visited the site today and it's perfectly set up. I'll get the ball rolling and we should have a ramp for this guy by sometime next week. (Merry Christmas, kiddo) I'm in the middle of designing my next project (14'x25' patio roof over a previous project) so I've got a free couple of days to put boots to ground. I'll rope my boy into it too (he owes me for losin' his freakin' scientific calculator!) and we'll take care of it over a weekend.

I'm going to work up a design for horizontal balusters...been thinking about that and seems like a series of horizontal balusters would work better, less chance of catching a knee, a toe, a corner of the chair...

Mac

mickeyco

You brought up a good point, the ramps fall under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), there are federal codes that deal with them, local authorities have absolutely no jurisdiction or no say in them, contrary to what they may tell you. In rare cases you'll find a municipality trying to take charge and/or dictate the project, say for instance the ramp is going on a house across the street from the towns Mayor (and he don't like it), tell them to get bent, most local building code adoptions are not certified by the ADA. The ADA trumps the building code. Do check with the local jurisdiction and see if they are ADA certified, if so you can work with them, but it's under the Federal code, they can't add their own special requirements.







.

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gtmstang

I built a ramp a few years ago for a neighbor who was in bad need of one. My local supplier helped out then and I'm sure they will help again. I'm in.

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XanadooLTD

We build ramps for several different govt entities, does this count? If so count me in.

MALCO.New.York

Make it happen!!!!!!

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Something to One may be Nothing to another!

Ultimate Wisdom---------
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BuiltByMAC

That's awesome, man! PM Seth your business contact info and he'll get you added to our list of builders.

Umm, not if you're gettin' paid by the gov't to build 'em. This is a pro-bono challenge to build ramps for folks who need one but can't afford one.
You'd be most welcome to join and build one in your area...just not for the gov't!


Mac

SethHoldren

More content on the website coming soon....keep the faith!

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MALCO.New.York

Umpbay.

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Ultimate Wisdom---------
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BuiltByMAC

No worries, Malco, I'm not going anywhere! I had planned on updating this thread after I finished the next project...

I've got a Make-A-Wish Foundation ramp that I'm building this week. Young boy (9-11?) w/ a bone marrow disease...I tell ya, it's nice that I am in a position to be able to help out but it really is a sobering project, both for me and my boy. We've got it good, we really do, and many times we just take it for granted. I'm hoping that by helping me on these projects, he'll learn compassion. Not pity, because they deserve more than that from us, but compassion for someone who's been handed a much more difficult path in life. You help out when you can. Period. He's 14, so this lesson is mixed in w/ all the craziness that the teenage years contain - I just hope that by continuing to show him what it means to be a real man, he'll grow up into one.

I'll take pics of the process and write up steps for the build. I'll get that info to Seth for the website later this week. I, like many of you, have a couple of holes in my schedule. Fitting in a 1-2 day project is easier than I'd like it to be.

Seth, how's the site coming? I noticed the temp page is no longer up.

RBS, didja get your ramp done for the neighbor? Got pics?

Mac

rbsremodeling

Funny you brought that up Mac.

I got an update. We were planning on doing a ramp for an elderly neighbor of mine and while doing research we found a program that would finance a remodel project for much needed repairs at the house.

The ramp got put on hold.

But she now has an updated bathroom, 1/2 bath changed to full bath for her son who takes care of her a few days a week, Kitchen remodel, Electric upgrade, new shingles and exterior paint

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gtmstang

I have a neighbor who already has a ramp but the guy who built it used 1/2" plywood for the decking. Needless to say its rotted now and he needs it fixed. He asked me how much it would cost to fix it, you should have seen his face when I told him nothing. Biggest grin ever. His wife passed earlier this year and is alone for the holidays so my brothers and I are going to work on his ramp on Christmas day and my wife is going to cook ham and all the fixins to take to the job and we are going to have dinner with him after the ramp is completed. If my supplier covers the material(or at least some of it) we are going to tear the whole ramp down and build it the right way.

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SethHoldren

Nope, temp page is still up. (Mac, did you forget the dashes?)

Sorry, been really busy. I will add all the new stuff right now!

Any more suggestions for the website?

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BuiltByMAC

Remembered the dashes, forgot the .com
typing in ramp-a-thon and hitting enter gets me to a google page.

gtmstang, that is too cool. The whole scene, building on Christmas Day, your wife cookin' dinner for him and the crew, fan-freakin'-tastic! Way to go man! Be sure to post some before/after pics.

Mac