Ramp Joint Puzzle

T

tearapin

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 5, 2016
Messages
223
The attached picture is of a ramp I want to build. Actually they are side ramps for a motorcycle lift. I need to make the downhill transition at the joint the red line marks.
I know I can likely cut a notch or angle in the wood. But that is likely to weaken the joint. My bike weighs 700 pounds and if I am on my way up the ramp and have to plant my foot at the joint a fear a failure. Ramp will be 2x8's on the top. Support board will be 3.5 inches wide (2x4's) so pic is not to scale.

Any suggestions as to how to make this angle transition?
 

Attachments

  • ramps.png
    ramps.png
    14.8 KB · Views: 17
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
H

HoosierMark

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 31, 2013
Messages
1,435
Location
Southeast IN
If you were building a house and putting a rafter board that would be called a birds mouth cut. Google birdsmouth rafter cut.
 
R

rust in the eye

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 2, 2017
Messages
2,702
Location
Chicagoland
If you don't wish to weaken the ramp board with a birdsmouth cut you could make a vertical cut on the end of ramp board(like a ridge cut) to but against the horizontal board then make an angle cut to the supporting board to correspond to the ramp angle.
 
R

RTM

Well-known member
Joined
May 13, 2019
Messages
12,987
Location
SF Bay Area
If you just cut a plumb line down where your red line is, you will still have a hump. If you cut your bird mouth there, will that be weaker than cutting a notch in the on-edge board that the ramp is resting on? I Dunno?

Just asking, but I think notching the on-edge board might make more sense as far as "least reduces strength."
 
P

PCustoms

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
22,053
Location
VT
tearapin said:
The attached picture is of a ramp I want to build. Actually they are side ramps for a motorcycle lift. I need to make the downhill transition at the joint the red line marks.
I know I can likely cut a notch or angle in the wood. But that is likely to weaken the joint. My bike weighs 700 pounds and if I am on my way up the ramp and have to plant my foot at the joint a fear a failure. Ramp will be 2x8's on the top. Support board will be 3.5 inches wide (2x4's) so pic is not to scale.

Any suggestions as to how to make this angle transition?
Click to expand...

With no real scale to that drawing or knowledge of your tools I would hesitantly suggest beveling the horizontal piece. If you want it super tight cut a matching bevel to the ramp.

Wood would not be my first choice for a rampnon a lift though
 
A

Al G

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 5, 2015
Messages
341
Location
Arizona
Is something preventing you from using 2 support boards? You could have solid support under each ramp board. Clamp them together so nothing moves.
 
T

tarbellb

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 17, 2011
Messages
5,709
Location
Oregon
Just add a cleat (green) to the front of your vertical support for the angled board
If you are concerned about the shear load, gusset (yellow) w plywood or double up verts
It's a 2x wood ramp, don't over think it
1000006738.jpg
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
F

Firebrick43

Well-known member
Joined
May 12, 2015
Messages
13,897
Location
West central Indiana
Last edited:
OP
T

tearapin

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 5, 2016
Messages
223
Not really sure what he did to make the joint transition here, Are you?
 

Attachments

  • ramp joint.png
    ramp joint.png
    125.2 KB · Views: 16
F

Firebrick43

Well-known member
Joined
May 12, 2015
Messages
13,897
Location
West central Indiana
tearapin said:
I thought of that but my ramps won't be that long and the brackets would need to be bent. Not sure that is possible.
Click to expand...
Your ramps are not going to be that long but they are also not going to be sitting pickup bed height either so the angle should be the same.

And if the angle is shallower than the typical ramp it will be ok. Steeper would be the problem.

They also make steel ones that can be bent to the desired angle if you want easily

Amazon.com: Liramera Steel Shed Ramp Top Kit, Create Ramps with 2"× 8" Planks, Heavy Duty Loading Ramp Ends for Lawn Mower, Car, Trucks, Trailer, Driveway : Automotive

Buy Liramera Steel Shed Ramp Top Kit, Create Ramps with 2"× 8" Planks, Heavy Duty Loading Ramp Ends for Lawn Mower, Car, Trucks, Trailer, Driveway: Loading Ramps - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom