Mac's 2009 Ramp Challenge

SethHoldren · 12-22-2008, 07:23 PM

All ramp builders can send me photos to post on the website by going to the "contact form" at ramp-a-thon.com.

Just send me a note, and I'll shoot you an email with instructions.

Or, you can find my email address in my profile and just send them right to me.

You guys rock, I'm planning to get this website polished before new years day!

MALCO.New.York · 12-22-2008, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

Mac

bvs · 12-22-2008, 09:54 PM

I have just been lurking on this forum, getting educated. If anybody needs help on a ramp project in North Atlanta, drop me a note at billvs at gmail dot com. I would be glad to help out.

bvs

MALCO.New.York · 12-22-2008, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bvs

I have just been lurking on this forum, getting educated. If anybody needs help on a ramp project in North Atlanta, drop me a note at billvs at gmail dot com. I would be glad to help out.

bvs

And who might you be???? Tuckerway or Alpharettaway? Maybe Dunwoody?

BSmart · 12-24-2008, 01:24 PM

I am in also. We are going to start looking in our area, and hope to have some thing after the first of the year. Good luck everyone!

BuiltByMAC · 12-24-2008, 05:31 PM

Got the ramp finished up today - Matt and I spent 6 hours on it yesterday, I spent a couple wrapping up the handrail sections today. An 8 yr old boy w/ Muscular Dystrophy is the recipient.

Here’s a few pics, I’ll get the entire build sequence to Seth later this week.

Before pic

It worked out just about perfect - the ramp terminated right at the man door by the garage, couldn’t have planned it better if I’d tried.

Slicing the 2x12x12 pt in half for the bottom part of the ramp

After cutting, I marked 16” oc for joists and painted it up w/ end cut treatment (Wolman’s, Jasco, Cuperinol or similar)

Matt nailing the joists - we started w/ 2x4s on the flat, then on edge, then 2x6s, then 2x8s as height allowed.

All joists got one screw per side, 2x4s and 2x6s got an additional 2 nails per side, 2x8s got 3 nails per side (nails were 12d 3 1/4” galv.)

Upper part of the ramp, 2x12s notched to sit on the concrete steps

Bottom handrail post gets concrete boot - hole was 2’ deep. Helps keep bottom of ramp from wandering and stabilizes the post everyone swings around.

Shot of the SkidGard plywood - Matt predrilled holes 3/4” in from edge 12” oc., installed w/ 2” GuardDog screws. We glued the tops of the framing before laying the plywood down. I predrilled and ran 3" screws 12’ oc in the field on every other joist.

Closeup of the plywood surface. It’s got a quilted layer bonded to the plywood - makes for very good traction in wet situations.

I always install my cap rails w/ screws from below. I just can’t run screws through the top! Predrill holes angled up through the tops of the posts and up through the top 2x4 rail, 3” screws hold the cap rail nice and secure.

Predrill and run 2 screws through 2x4 rail ends into hr post, (3 for 2x6). I’m back and forth on the best way to build handrails for ramps...I do think I like this way better than the vertical 2x2 balusters. Just seems like less chance for catching a body part when moving up and down the ramp...I dunno.

The finished ramp

Now it's time for Russian Nogs - Kahlua, Vodka and Egg nog - one of my favorite parts of the holidays!

Peace, everyone...

Mac

**Cole** · 12-24-2008, 06:46 PM

Fine job, Mac! I cant wait to get started on a couple of these myself.

I hope you are having a great Christmas!

Jason Whipple · 12-25-2008, 08:07 PM

I've found a great recipient for this. Unfortunately, I can't get in the ground until spring now.

I do look forward to being part of this. I have the vendors on line for the materials already and a few of my guys would love to be involved on a volunteer basis. I would gladly pay them for their time, but they love the idea of helpin' out someone in need and want to do it on a weekend or two.

It's nice to know my guys are good people like that

Rick954 · 12-26-2008, 05:53 PM

Hi, i'm new here. this thread made me sign up....otherwise i would have just kept reading stuff for a while.
but..i'm interested in this project, i'm sure i can find someone that needs a ramp, i'm not so sure i can find a materials doner, especially in this economy, but, if its only around $1000 for the whole deal, i can finance it myself.

I really like that this is going on, and i really really respect the movement. there are always people in need, and there are lots of people that can do things for them, i'm glad it can be me this time.

i'll start looking into finding a person in need, and trying to find doners.

Thanks for spreading the idea, this is so good, i cant wait to do it.

BuiltByMAC · 12-26-2008, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bvs

I would be glad to help out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSmart

I am in also.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick954

Thanks for spreading the idea, this is so good, i cant wait to do it.

Hey guys, welcome to the forum and thanks for getting on board w/ building a ramp. A family in your area is gonna be very happy when the project's done...
Be sure to get your contact info to SethHoldren (posts in this thread) to be included in the list of builders.

Mac

BuiltByMAC · 12-26-2008, 06:50 PM

I just read back through this thread and I'm grinnin' from ear to ear - we've got 12 guys signed on to build ramps in the next year,

1. SLSTech
2. Forry
3. Cole
4. JasonW
5. rbsremodeling
6. AlwaysConfused11
7. PAWoodButcher
8. gtmstang
9. bvs
10. BSmart
11. Rick954
12. me

plus SethHoldren is building the website and LawnDart offered help w/ archys or the website.

This is too freakin' cool, guys! People are gonna be blown away when you offer them this project.

Enjoy the rest of your Christmas holiday, I know I'm having trouble gettin' off the couch! Just enough energy to head to the kitchen and reload a plate...then back to the couch!

Mac

Rick954 · 12-26-2008, 07:48 PM

This thread should be a sticky imo. that way we can post all our pics here in this thread, and keep them all together nice.

**Cole** · 12-26-2008, 09:36 PM

http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/ramp-thon-50366/

gtmstang · 12-29-2008, 04:48 PM

We went on Christmas to do my neighbors ramp. It was actually built well. The ramp was only a couple of years old so the framework was in great shape. All we had to do was replace the decking. We power washed it and I'll be going back to seal it for him in a few days. It looks brand new and he was a happy man. I didnt get to build a ramp, but we helped where we could. At least we all got to eat well and the old man was a hoot to talk to.

Bodger · 12-30-2008, 08:22 PM

I'm in. Publicly stating that in 2009, I will find a recipient and build a ramp.
I posted in Ramp-A-Thon sticky yesterday too.
I'm going to the VA soon for prescriptions and I'm going to seek out a contact there that might point me to a vet that needs a ramp.
I'll keep you posted.

12-22-2008, 07:23 PM	#61
SethHoldren View Profile SethHoldren Construction Marketer Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (288) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Construction Marketer Trade: Construction Dude w/ Website Skills Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Nashville Posts: 288	Re: Mac's 2009 Ramp Challenge All ramp builders can send me photos to post on the website by going to the "contact form" at ramp-a-thon.com. Just send me a note, and I'll shoot you an email with instructions. Or, you can find my email address in my profile and just send them right to me. You guys rock, I'm planning to get this website polished before new years day! __________________ Website Critiques The Construction Marketing Blog

12-22-2008, 09:54 PM	#63
bvs View Profile bvs Registered User Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (2) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Registered User Trade: electrical Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2	Re: Mac's 2009 Ramp Challenge I have just been lurking on this forum, getting educated. If anybody needs help on a ramp project in North Atlanta, drop me a note at billvs at gmail dot com. I would be glad to help out. bvs

12-24-2008, 01:24 PM	#65
BSmart View Profile BSmart Semper Fi Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (22) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Semper Fi Trade: General Contractor/Remodeler Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 22	Re: Mac's 2009 Ramp Challenge I am in also. We are going to start looking in our area, and hope to have some thing after the first of the year. Good luck everyone!

12-24-2008, 05:31 PM	#66
BuiltByMAC View Profile BuiltByMAC Pro Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (3,019) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Pro Trade: Construction Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 3,019	Re: Mac's 2009 Ramp Challenge Got the ramp finished up today - Matt and I spent 6 hours on it yesterday, I spent a couple wrapping up the handrail sections today. An 8 yr old boy w/ Muscular Dystrophy is the recipient. Here’s a few pics, I’ll get the entire build sequence to Seth later this week. Before pic It worked out just about perfect - the ramp terminated right at the man door by the garage, couldn’t have planned it better if I’d tried. Slicing the 2x12x12 pt in half for the bottom part of the ramp After cutting, I marked 16” oc for joists and painted it up w/ end cut treatment (Wolman’s, Jasco, Cuperinol or similar) Matt nailing the joists - we started w/ 2x4s on the flat, then on edge, then 2x6s, then 2x8s as height allowed. All joists got one screw per side, 2x4s and 2x6s got an additional 2 nails per side, 2x8s got 3 nails per side (nails were 12d 3 1/4” galv.) Upper part of the ramp, 2x12s notched to sit on the concrete steps Bottom handrail post gets concrete boot - hole was 2’ deep. Helps keep bottom of ramp from wandering and stabilizes the post everyone swings around. Shot of the SkidGard plywood - Matt predrilled holes 3/4” in from edge 12” oc., installed w/ 2” GuardDog screws. We glued the tops of the framing before laying the plywood down. I predrilled and ran 3" screws 12’ oc in the field on every other joist. Closeup of the plywood surface. It’s got a quilted layer bonded to the plywood - makes for very good traction in wet situations. I always install my cap rails w/ screws from below. I just can’t run screws through the top! Predrill holes angled up through the tops of the posts and up through the top 2x4 rail, 3” screws hold the cap rail nice and secure. Predrill and run 2 screws through 2x4 rail ends into hr post, (3 for 2x6). I’m back and forth on the best way to build handrails for ramps...I do think I like this way better than the vertical 2x2 balusters. Just seems like less chance for catching a body part when moving up and down the ramp...I dunno. The finished ramp Now it's time for Russian Nogs - Kahlua, Vodka and Egg nog - one of my favorite parts of the holidays! Peace, everyone... Mac

12-24-2008, 06:46 PM	#67
Cole View Profile Cole Mod / ArchiBuilder Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (6,611) Photos (1) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Mod / ArchiBuilder Trade: Design/Build Outdoor Living Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: ArkLaTexOma Posts: 6,611	Re: Mac's 2009 Ramp Challenge Fine job, Mac! I cant wait to get started on a couple of these myself. I hope you are having a great Christmas! __________________ Tulsa's Leader in Outdoor Living Construction \| Facebook \| Tulsa Pergola Builder \| Tulsa Outdoor Kitchens

How to effectively use customer testimonials - even if you onl...

Green Framing Presentation - Updated

Greenlee Glo-Stix...

DeWalt Self-Level...

Mac's 2009 Ramp Challenge

Re: Mac's 2009 Ramp Challenge

Re: Mac's 2009 Ramp Challenge

Re: Mac's 2009 Ramp Challenge

Re: Mac's 2009 Ramp Challenge

Re: Mac's 2009 Ramp Challenge

Re: Mac's 2009 Ramp Challenge

Re: Mac's 2009 Ramp Challenge

Re: Mac's 2009 Ramp Challenge

Re: Mac's 2009 Ramp Challenge

Re: Mac's 2009 Ramp Challenge

Re: Mac's 2009 Ramp Challenge

Re: Mac's 2009 Ramp Challenge

Re: Mac's 2009 Ramp Challenge

Re: Mac's 2009 Ramp Challenge

Re: Mac's 2009 Ramp Challenge

Join Now... It's Fast and FREE!

Already Have an Account?

12-25-2008, 08:07 PM	#68
Jason Whipple View Profile Jason Whipple Restoration Crazy Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (3,308) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Restoration Crazy Trade: Restoration & Historic Preservation Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 3,308	Re: Mac's 2009 Ramp Challenge I've found a great recipient for this. Unfortunately, I can't get in the ground until spring now. I do look forward to being part of this. I have the vendors on line for the materials already and a few of my guys would love to be involved on a volunteer basis. I would gladly pay them for their time, but they love the idea of helpin' out someone in need and want to do it on a weekend or two. It's nice to know my guys are good people like that __________________ Jason E Whipple, General Manager Historic House Restoration, Cincinnati, Ohio Facebook \| Twitter

12-26-2008, 05:53 PM	#69
Rick954 View Profile Rick954 Make it Happen! Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (27) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Make it Happen! Trade: Project Super Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Central NJ Posts: 27	Re: Mac's 2009 Ramp Challenge Hi, i'm new here. this thread made me sign up....otherwise i would have just kept reading stuff for a while. but..i'm interested in this project, i'm sure i can find someone that needs a ramp, i'm not so sure i can find a materials doner, especially in this economy, but, if its only around $1000 for the whole deal, i can finance it myself. I really like that this is going on, and i really really respect the movement. there are always people in need, and there are lots of people that can do things for them, i'm glad it can be me this time. i'll start looking into finding a person in need, and trying to find doners. Thanks for spreading the idea, this is so good, i cant wait to do it.

12-26-2008, 06:50 PM	#71
BuiltByMAC View Profile BuiltByMAC Pro Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (3,019) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Pro Trade: Construction Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 3,019	Re: Mac's 2009 Ramp Challenge I just read back through this thread and I'm grinnin' from ear to ear - we've got 12 guys signed on to build ramps in the next year, 1. SLSTech 2. Forry 3. Cole 4. JasonW 5. rbsremodeling 6. AlwaysConfused11 7. PAWoodButcher 8. gtmstang 9. bvs 10. BSmart 11. Rick954 12. me plus SethHoldren is building the website and LawnDart offered help w/ archys or the website. This is too freakin' cool, guys! People are gonna be blown away when you offer them this project. Enjoy the rest of your Christmas holiday, I know I'm having trouble gettin' off the couch! Just enough energy to head to the kitchen and reload a plate...then back to the couch! Mac Last edited by BuiltByMAC; 12-26-2008 at 08:05 PM. Reason: alright, so I can't count...Russian Nogs are settling in!

12-26-2008, 07:48 PM	#72
Rick954 View Profile Rick954 Make it Happen! Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (27) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Make it Happen! Trade: Project Super Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Central NJ Posts: 27	Re: Mac's 2009 Ramp Challenge This thread should be a sticky imo. that way we can post all our pics here in this thread, and keep them all together nice.

12-26-2008, 09:36 PM	#73
Cole View Profile Cole Mod / ArchiBuilder Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (6,611) Photos (1) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Mod / ArchiBuilder Trade: Design/Build Outdoor Living Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: ArkLaTexOma Posts: 6,611	Re: Mac's 2009 Ramp Challenge http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/ramp-thon-50366/ __________________ Tulsa's Leader in Outdoor Living Construction \| Facebook \| Tulsa Pergola Builder \| Tulsa Outdoor Kitchens

12-29-2008, 04:48 PM	#74
gtmstang View Profile gtmstang Pro Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (105) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Pro Trade: Remodeling contractor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Pikeville, TN Posts: 105	Re: Mac's 2009 Ramp Challenge We went on Christmas to do my neighbors ramp. It was actually built well. The ramp was only a couple of years old so the framework was in great shape. All we had to do was replace the decking. We power washed it and I'll be going back to seal it for him in a few days. It looks brand new and he was a happy man. I didnt get to build a ramp, but we helped where we could. At least we all got to eat well and the old man was a hoot to talk to. __________________ www.morganconstructionandremodeling.com

12-30-2008, 08:22 PM	#75
Bodger View Profile Bodger Pro Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (2,432) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Pro Trade: GC Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 2,432	Re: Mac's 2009 Ramp Challenge I'm in. Publicly stating that in 2009, I will find a recipient and build a ramp. I posted in Ramp-A-Thon sticky yesterday too. I'm going to the VA soon for prescriptions and I'm going to seek out a contact there that might point me to a vet that needs a ramp. I'll keep you posted.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Res Service Small Job Challenge	Tiger	Business	3	02-01-2008 07:05 PM
constructing a ramp in a church	72chevy4x4	Carpentry	13	11-23-2007 03:52 PM
Electrician's Challenge Las Vegas	Bubbles	Electrical	20	10-06-2007 06:38 AM