You do not know how to get to the high ceiling or to harvest from a large tree? An ordinary stepladder can help out in such cases. However, not everyone in the house may find such a device. It’s not worth running immediately to the store. After all, this instruction will tell you how to make a wooden step-ladder with your own hands. It is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance.
Types of Steps
There is a wide variety of portable stairs on the market. They differ in height, structural features, and materials.
In the manufacture of stepladders use:
- wood;
- metal (iron, steel);
- aluminum alloys.
The wooden structure is considered the simplest, but not very practical. Under the influence of climatic conditions, wood loses its appearance and properties, which does not affect the product in the best way.
Metal stepladders are strong and durable. In operation, they are inconvenient in that they weigh a lot and take up a lot of space because of their size.
Aluminum products are the best option. They are reliable, small-sized and light.
If we take the design as the basis for the classification, then the folding ladder can be represented in several types:
- simple ladder made of timber;
- step-chair;
- multifunctional transformer staircase.
Simple ladder made of timber
For the manufacture of a conventional garden staircase, 4 beams with a length of 2 m and a cross-section of 60x40 mm will be required for support columns, as well as about 14 meters of a beam with a cross-section of 60 × 30 mm for steps and beams.
The steps and rungs must be of the following sizes:
- 59 cm (2 units);
- 54.5 cm;
- 50 cm;
- 45.5 cm;
- 41 cm (3 units).
On the two support bars, marks should be applied in those places where the steps will be attached. The lowest mark is 10 cm from the edge. The interval between the remaining marks is 40 cm. Then, taking into account the marking, five grooves with a depth of 1.5 cm are made.
Having finished the preparatory work, we proceed to the assembly of the main part of the structure. To do this, put the support posts with the slots up and align them so that the distance between the upper edges is 40 cm and 60 cm between the lower edges. The steps are inserted into the grooves and fixed with screws. On the reverse side, an additional crossbar is attached.
In order for the staircase to stand, it is necessary to make a backup. Since it does not have steps, the support posts are interconnected by two crossbars: upper and lower. The design is additionally equipped with a jib. When making a backup, it is important to keep the distance between the upper ends of the rack 30 cm
The final stage is the union of the two parts. In relation to the main part, the support is placed so that its upper edges are between the last step and the additional crossbar.
For this design does not need fasteners on top. And the lower ends of the stairs easily move to the required distance.
Step Chair
This type of staircase is very compact and does not require large storage space. Due to its attractive appearance, it will completely pass for the interior element of your apartment.
When assembling the structure, you need to be extremely careful, observe all sizes indicated on the drawing. In properly assembled structures, parts move freely and do not interfere with each other.
A wooden ladder stool can be equipped with an additional fastener-lock, which locks the device in the desired position.
Multifunctional Transformer Staircase
The design, which with a slight movement of the hand from a stepladder, turns into a table for eating, a gazebo, a bed.Such multifunctionality will greatly facilitate life in the country.
For the manufacture of supporting racks, ladders take boards 1.5 m long, 6 cm thick, 18 cm wide. Grooves for the steps are selected in them. The support is supplemented with a crossbar, which can be rearranged into specially drilled additional holes.
A distinctive feature of the folding design is hinged joints. The edges of the supports are cut at the right angle. Thrust boards are attached from above to the ends, and the lower edges are connected by a piano loop.
Transformers can be used by adults and children. So, kids use it as a stand for drawing. For fixing paper sheets, a plywood shield is provided in the structure.
The ladder can be easily turned into a table, while installing a plywood shield for the countertop. From it you can also make a gazebo or ironing board.
We make a simple ladder with our own hands
If you are the first to take up a tool in order to build a sliding ladder-ladder with your own hands made of wood, you need to thoroughly prepare. First of all, arm yourself with the necessary equipment: a hacksaw, a chisel, a tape measure, a pencil, drills, an electric drill, a hammer.
We determine the configuration and dimensions
The process of making a wooden ladder with your own hands begins with a drawing, for the preparation of which you need to know the dimensions of the structure, its constituent elements. In addition, the sequence of actions is important. Therefore, strict adherence to step-by-step instructions is the key to success.
Construction height
Given that the stepladder is used mainly in everyday life, it is not necessary to perform complex calculations. The optimal linear length of the stairs is recognized as 150 - 170 cm. It is enough for a person of average height to reach from the penultimate step to the ceiling of residential and utility rooms.
Buildings of the same height are suitable for gardening: for harvesting from fruit trees growing in your country house, or pruning branches. The manufacture of large stepladders is irrational. They are inconvenient to use, heavy, require increased consumption of lumber.
Tread sizes
Since work is carried out on the portable ladder, it should be as convenient and reliable as possible. It is necessary that the person standing on it, feel confident. And this directly depends on the size of the tread. The minimum step width is 0.3 m. If a stirrup structure is equipped with a work platform on top, this figure can be increased to 0.45 m.
The working platform is made of two boards, the sizes of which are in the range 42 × 40 cm. It is not attached to the staircase structure.
Number and length of steps
How many steps should be included in the design, each determines for himself. In deciding the issue, one must proceed first of all from whether it will be convenient for you to go down and up it.
When calculating, do not forget to take into account the height of the stairs, its steepness and the distance between the steps (from 20 to 30 cm). When making calculations, it is difficult to get an even number of steps. In such cases, the masters recommend reducing the distance between the first step and the slice of the kosour, or between the penultimate and the platform at the top.
The folding ladder has the shape of a pyramid, so the length of each upper step is getting shorter. For comfortable ascent and descent, the length of the lower tread is 60 cm, the upper - at least 35-40 cm.
We determine the material
The reliability of the structure, its service life depends on the raw material from which it is made.
Wood quality
The stepladder must withstand heavy loads: the weight of a person, tools and various devices. Therefore, strict requirements are imposed on the quality of wood. The most important of them is the absence of defects: chips, cracks, rot.
In addition, the wood used for construction cannot be poorly dried. Permissible humidity level is not more than 12%. If it is higher, the material should be dried in a well-ventilated area, avoiding direct sunlight. The use of excessively wet wood will lead to deformation and destruction of the product after some time.
How to choose a section of a bar
The cross-section of the beam, even with very long skewers, is 4 × 4, 6 × 6 or 3 × 5 cm. This will not affect the mass of the structure strongly, and the reliability of the stairs is guaranteed. It makes sense to talk about specific exact sizes and types of lumber when the dimensions of the structure are known.
Additional components
A wooden stepladder can be improved by adding individual elements:
- Metal knitting needles for more reliable fixation of steps. They are inserted under the step into special holes and fixed with nuts and bolts. The length of the spokes depends on the dimensions of the tread and the thickness of the kosour. As for the diameter, it should be at least 8 mm. Otherwise, they will begin to bend under the influence of the load. Sometimes, instead of knitting needles, powerful screws are used.
- Nylon cord or iron chain. They serve to connect on both sides of the support and the main part and thereby prevent them from moving around.
- Nozzles for the lower edges of the kosour or “shoes”. Their main function is to protect the flooring from damage. The fabric is not suitable for this, as it quickly wears out. The best choice is rubber. Hard rubber lasts longer soft. However, with such "shoes" the stepladder is less stable on uneven surfaces. Soft rubber is attached to the "legs" with screws, hard - on glue.
In addition, the design can be supplemented with hooks for buckets and other tool accessories. It all depends on your needs, imagination and desire.
Typical drawings of various ladders
The examples discussed above, the recommendations made will allow you to independently calculate the size of the stepladder and understand the technology of its production according to any scheme.
Material processing
Any wood products require additional processing. Wooden stairs were no exception. Experts advise sanding out all the details that will touch a person’s hands. With a smooth surface, you do not run the risk of driving a splinter under your skin.
To increase the service life of a wooden stepladder, you need to take care of it. By care is meant the treatment of the structure with special means that will protect it from environmental influences.
Therefore, before assembling the structural elements into a single whole, they must be impregnated with a stain. Being an antiseptic, it prevents rotting of wood and protects it from mold.
The finished ladder must be treated with linseed oil and applied on top of several layers of paint or varnish. All these procedures will not only extend the life of your building, but also give it a pleasant appearance.