Making a ladder

[yoocan]

Hi,

I'd like to make a wooden step ladder and was wondering if there is pre grooved timber available which can be used for the steps/rungs.

Ideally the section would look something like this:

Untitled

• yoocan
• 8 Feb 2010
• 1

Dimensions would be ~100mm wide and ~25mm deep.

Also which concealed joint should I use to fit to the steps/rungs to the vertical bits of the ladder? I was thinking a few dowels each side?

Thanks,

J

 

[r896neo]

decking? 28mm thick, slippy when wet though although most timber is.

Don't just dowel it in go with a proper dado joint.

 

[big-all]

if its mobile dowels wont maintain the diagonal rigidity
is it internal [dry outdoor]use or exterior get wet a lot

 

[Hitachimad]

Housing joint, with dowels. Doweling that together alone would be rubbish. Youd only be relying on the strength of the bit of wood above the dowels.
That nice hardwood decking would be just the job

 

[foxhole]

Remember , many timber ladders are reinforced with steel wire---for good reason.