Replies

1. 
   mark122 | Feb 12, 2015 06:29pm | #1

   im assuming temporary ladder, if so, why not use an extention ladder? if i were going to be using it then i would go for 2x6's. 

1. 
   jimmiem | Feb 12, 2015 06:37pm | #2

   Ladder

   It will be used periodically at my wife's mother's house and I don't want to have to take my extension ladder there.  Also, never know when I'm goiong to have to use it so if it's always there I won't have to go home to get my extension ladder. 

1. 
   calvin | Feb 12, 2015 06:49pm | #3

   Jim

   safety would be my biggest concern.  While many of us have scabbed something together to get from one place to another or for a task where a pc. of equipment is off site, you need to be conscious of your safety and that of others.

   Do you have a sketch of this ladder?

   i might think it more convenient and sturdy to find a half of an aluminum 12/24 or 14/28 and grab that.  Put some hooks on the wall of the garage and call it done.

2. 
   catmandeux | Feb 12, 2015 08:04pm | #4

   https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3661.pdf

   http://www2.worksafebc.com/publications/ohsregulation/WCBStandards.asp?ReportID=33450

   Use the straightest lumber  you can find.  2x4 for ladders up to 16ft,   2x6 for longer. 

   Coat it with a transparent stain or waterproofing. 

   These ladders are heavy, you may need help in placing it. 

3. 
   junkhound | Feb 12, 2015 10:07pm | #5

   I built a permanent ship type stairs to the roof at the back of the house with PT lumber. 

   Built it about 15 years ago, very happy every time I need to go on the roof, esp as we get older.

   House in under a few dozen 150 ft+ D fir and need to clean the roof of needles every few months.

   If you want a ladder as youwant to take it down and put under a porch or something, watch CL, garage sales, etc. -- probably cheaper to buy a used 12 ft. aluminum ladder than building one that would be safe.

1. 
   SalemCat | Feb 25, 2015 10:40am | #11

   ROOF STAIRS

   If you get a chance, a pic would be great.

   It's an intriguing solution.

4. 
   BossHog | Feb 13, 2015 06:43am | #6

   I once made a wood ladder - Used 2x6 for the rails.  Made 1.5" dados in the rails for the treads to sit in rather than relying on fasteners in end grain.

   But mine wasn't 12' tall.  For that height I wonder if you'd be better off to buy an inexpensive 20' extension ladder and stash it in her garage.

5. 
   DanH | Feb 13, 2015 07:41am | #7

   Keep in mind that you don't just need rungs, you also need places for the hands to go.

6. 
   SalemCat | Feb 19, 2015 08:58pm | #8

   Home Made Ladder

   Ladder Manufacturers have teams of Engineers, Decades of Experience, yet you think you can do better than they.

   After all, it's only your legs, spine, skull at risk should a nail fall out or a cheap 2X4 split.

   IMHO, any Construction Company that is so cheap, and so irresponsible as to send workers up on homemade equipment should be shut down.

1. 
   catmandeux | Feb 20, 2015 01:31am | #9

   Why would a job made wooden ladder, built and maintained to the required safety regulations (OSHA or state/provincal safety regulations), be any more dangerous than a commerically made ladder, built and maintained to their required safety regulations. 

   I have not seen any data showing that job made ladders are less safe than commercial ladders.  Do you have any references that I could look up?

   The major advantage to job made ladders is they are made to suit a particular site, and have side  rail extensions at the top (without rungs) allowing step through entry / exit.  I find this much safer than stepping around the top of a ladder.

   Regular inspection of the job made ladder for missing fasteners or damaged wood is no different than the regular inspection of a commercial ladder for missing fasteners or damaged wood / fiberglass / aluminum.  In both cases, if there is damage, the ladder must be repaired or removed from service.

1. 
   SalemCat | Feb 25, 2015 11:04am | #12

   Items to consider before building a Ladder

   catmandeux wrote:

   Why would a job made wooden ladder, built and maintained to the required safety regulations (OSHA or state/provincal safety regulations), be any more dangerous than a commerically made ladder, built and maintained to their required safety regulations. 

   I have not seen any data showing that job made ladders are less safe than commercial ladders.  Do you have any references that I could look up?

   The major advantage to job made ladders is they are made to suit a particular site, and have side  rail extensions at the top (without rungs) allowing step through entry / exit.  I find this much safer than stepping around the top of a ladder.

   Regular inspection of the job made ladder for missing fasteners or damaged wood is no different than the regular inspection of a commercial ladder for missing fasteners or damaged wood / fiberglass / aluminum.  In both cases, if there is damage, the ladder must be repaired or removed from service.

   #1: What is your time worth ? A good 16' ladder will set you back about $100. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Werner-16-ft-Aluminum-Extension-Ladder-with-200-lb-Load-Capacity-Type-III-Duty-Rating-D1116-2/100664519

   #2: Are your materials free ? If not, consider the lumber, screws, glue, and consumables used to built a ladder. Then compare the costs to the $100 for a complete unit.

   #3: Building a Ladder to OSHA Regulations ?

   CATMANDEUX has an excellent LINK to some Design Guidelines (see his posts).

   The result may be quite heavy, and not as inexpensive as you may hope.

   It also may be fairly uncomfortable - I wouldn't want those sharp rungs digging into my feet. Or splinters in my hands.

   #4: Yes, if the Ladder is being used to access a higher level, it can be dangerous to step-on and off at the top. Qual Craft SAFE-T Ladder Extension (http://www.amazon.com/QUAL-CRAFT-Safe-T-Ladder-Extens/dp/B008ELMGH2/ref=sr_1_29?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1424876674&sr=1-29&keywords=ladder+accessories+roof) addresses this very issue - at $160. A professional may find this a wise investment. The O/P states he plans to use his Ladder rarely, so adding another $160 to his tab would not sit well. And devices such as these are clearly optional accessories. Nice to have, but optional.

   #5: There are over 90,000 Emergency Room Vists due to Ladder Accidents each year in the US alone - http://www.cultureofsafety.com/safety-tips/ladder-safety/  Obviously there are many more, that are not quite as serious. Or injuries that workers shrug off, only to discover themselves injured later.

   Fortunately there are even more accidents that end up being no more than a funny story, where Luck has intervened to twist a very serious situation into one that leaves the victim simply bruised, and a bit wiser (hopefully).

   Ladders can change your life for the worse, and more quickly for the worse, than pretty much anything I can think of.

   #6: Insurance. If there is an accident, using a Manufactured Ladder from an American Company, should, at least, present some opportunity for Litigation.

   I shudder to think how much those Companies pay for Product Liability Insurance, but would be surprised if it's not 10% or more of the cost of constructing a Ladder. If they make an error of Design, or of Build, and someone is injured (or worse), due to it - well, that's why they have Insurance.

   Who you going to sue if you made the Ladder yourself ? Maybe you say the only person ever using that Ladder will be you, but you're not going to be keeping it in a vault. If some neighborhood kid, tradesman, subsequent home-owner, even a burglar ! uses that Ladder and is injured - watch out. Crazy ? Yeah. Crazy stuff is sued over - successfully, in this country every day.

   CONCLUSION: I hope that I've convinced a person that thinks building a Ladder, vs forking over $100 to Home Depot, may not be in their best interest, but if not, I still wish them well. I pray that Site-Built Ladder never fails them, that they remain pleased in their decision.

2. 
   jimmiem | Feb 20, 2015 05:57am | #10

   Site Built Ladder

   The site built ladders I have seen have been on state highway jobs where the ladder extends from the ground to the overpass.  I believe these are union jobsites.  I'm in Massachusetts where jobs like these would be union.