On Jul 16, 8:48*pm, Graeme wrote:
Our garden is on two levels, both of which are paved, with a six inch
step between the two. *For various reasons, I have been using a couple
of thick planks, resting on a fence post, to move vehicles and trailers
from one level to the other, but would like to construct something a
little more easy to use, but not permanent.

Thoughts are, a wooden ramp, six feet (OK, 2 meters) wide by six feet
long. *Lengths of 4 x 2 x 2m sawn corner to corner, to form long
triangles, to form the slope, with lengths of 6 x 2 x 2m to form the
ramp itself.

a) Does that sound reasonable? *I realise it will be heavy when
finished, but will not be permanent, like a concrete ramp would be. *Is
2 inch thick timber overkill for the ramp part? *The ramp will be used
by a Morris Minor, perhaps a dozen times a year. *Probably less.

b) *My only power saw is an antique B&D jig saw. *What do I need to cut
the triangles? A cheap and cheerful mains powered circular saw, thirty
quid from Screwfix?

Thanks!


I'm sure it'd work but it sounds overkill. A handful of bricks would
do the job, by breaking the level change into 2.5" steps. No need for
tools then. An even easier option might be 2 or 3 of 3x3 fence posts
fixed together to make a halfway up step. Or if youre running delicate
things over it, use a few 2x4s the same way to get 2" steps.

An ancient jigsaw would cut the timber, as long as the blade isnt
beyond blunt. If you mean one of those drill attachment things, it
might take a good while but it should do it. Any low end type of
jigsaw needs steering to keep it on a line, dont be tempted to run it
alongside a piece of wood, that'd break the blade.

If you get a new saw, yes, go for a handheld circular saw. The cheap
ones are perfectly usable, but they wont give as clean a cut as a good
one will. Do not buy a new jigsaw!


NT