Build Your Own Step Ladder

Building a step ladder can be a relatively simple process. Step ladders can be quite useful especially if there is no support to lean a regular ladder against. Step ladders can support themselves by spreading their weight and balancing through an opening scissor movement.

Firstly, decide how high you would like to have your step ladder be and obtain two ladders of that height. Take two long metal hinges, like the ones on gates, and attach them to both ladders at the top so that the ladders can swing apart pivoted at the point of the hinges.

Using a saw, cut both the ladders across the jointed section at the top so that when they are opened out a flat surface is formed. Attach a rope to the steps of the ladder, close to ¾ of the height so that the ladder cannot open out further than this.

Next attach by hinges a flat piece of wood which will be the top step to the main side of the ladder at the top so that when the ladder is opened, the hinged step can then swing down on top of the joint forming a safe area upon which to stand.

If after you have made the step ladder you require a longer ladder that can extend to full length, simply ensure that the hinges used to join the ladders are the type that can swing all the way. To do this detach the rope from the step and open the ladder all the way and using the hinged step board to secure the ladder it can now be used at full length.