DIY - How to Build a 10' Wooden Ladder Cheap & Easy

[@ourtube4266]

Great video. I have a free afternoon and don’t want to spend $200 on an aluminum ladder of the same size. Your video is the only one that has everything I need and nothing I don’t. Looks sturdy without needing mortise and tenon.

[@BasaPete]

Thank you for your kind comment.

[@ehlai1676]

All done by 2x4 and nails, no glue, really simple and easy. Love it

[@BasaPete]

Thank you for your nice comment.

[@draconiansdevil]

Excellent job! It’s cheap, easy, and can be done with handheld tools if one doesn’t have table saws and drills. This older gentleman made it simple! Thank you!

[@BasaPete]

Thank you for your nice comment.

[@shankarbn]

I'm at a stage in my shop that needs a ladder. Your video shows the quickest way to do it safely. I'm gonna make an 7 or 8 foot ladder and notch it out with a circular saw instead of radial arm saw which I don't own. Thank you for sharing!

[@BasaPete]

Thank you for your nice comment. A circular saw will do the job.

[@carama3590]

I’m gonna be sharing this video and all the other ones with all my women friends. As I am a 45 yr old women and labor costs, lazy or to busy husbands, etc. These videos sure help use save money , time and aggravation.

[@BasaPete]

Thank you for sharing my video and thank you for your nice comment.

[@FYMFTP]

As awesome as DIY is, building that ladder from scratch is going to cost substantially more than just purchasing one unless you already have the tools he had available. That saw alone is worth multiple purchase ladders. I'm not trying to discourage you at all, just be aware that tool costs are something that usually aren't mentioned in the videos.

[@BasaPete]

@@FYMFTP Thank you for your comment. You can easly build this ladder without power tools. All you need is a hammer, hand-saw, chisel and drill. If you don't have these tools, you can always rent or borrow them.

[@gregmize01]

I JUST BUILT MINE AFTER SEEING YOUR VIDEO YESTERDAY...10FT TALL, RUNGS 15" ON CENTER. LIQUID NAILS AND SCREWS TO ATTACH THEM. VERY STURDY AND EASY TO MAKE! THANKS AGAIN!

[@BasaPete]

Thank you for your nice comment.

[@mikem9362]

This guys videos are the best on youtube great explanation

[@BasaPete]

Thank you for your kind comment.

[@seireitei4193]

So many "experts" in the comments lol, awesome video btw, this is how we do it here as well 👌

[@BasaPete]

Thank your for your comment.

[@jessetaylor9758]

Very solid build! Thank you for demonstrating. Keep up the awesome work!

[@BasaPete]

Thank you for you nice comment.

[@The3chordwonder]

That is a really nice built ladder. Probably more stable than anything you can buy actually.

[@BasaPete]

Thank you for your nice comment.

[@slaydesantis294]

I need to build a ladder to get to the upper part of my garage. Thanks for making this vid! It doesn't seem as daunting now..LOL.

[@BasaPete]

Thank you for your comment. Good luck with your project.

[@victorbeysmith]

That twin blade machine is just such a nice tool to have for the job. Currently trying to figure out how to cut the notches without and it's much more dofficult!

[@BasaPete]

Thank you for your comment. You can make the notches with a handsaw and chisel. It takes a little more time but it'll do the job.

[@aquaganda]

Jumpng in: I'm thinking of setting my skill saw to the 3/4" depth, then, yeah, chisel it out.

[@carama3590]

I need an attic ladder and I can’t believe they’re between three and $600 that’s insane so I made one myself with the wood I had in the garage went to the local hardware store in about $30 on the Bendy brackets I needed. Sorry I’m new at all this but I can’t thank you enough.

[@BasaPete]

Thank you for your nice comment.

[@AudreyHeadley]

Sending your post to friend, I already brought the wood so he can build me a ladder. Much thanks from Jamaica 🇯🇲

[@BasaPete]

Thank you for your comment. Good luck with your project.

[@fitz303]

I'm just making my first wooden ladder and love this video, my dad was a carpenter and joiner and I want to do more with wood these days. Wish i'd seen your video sooner, great suff.... can i ask why use caulk in the slots?

[@BasaPete]

Thank you for your nice comment. Caulking (or bedding) is a shipwright's trick to waterproof joints. It helps prevent wood rot.

[@fitz303]

@@BasaPete Aww thanks.for the reply, yes I asked a friend who said the same thing, it's an old trick, one which I now know to use thanks to you guys...also, what's a spiral screw my friend?

[@BasaPete]

@@fitz303 Spiral screw? Do you mean spiral nail? A spiral nail is twisted along the shaft, whch help it hold to the wood better. The nail actually spirals as you hammer it into the wood.

[@fitz303]

@@BasaPete AHH yes I meant nail excuse me, yeah I had an inkling that's what they would be for, never came across them are they much more expensive than normal nails? I've my ladder almost finished but I think I'll need a few slivers to keep the rungs perfect

[@BasaPete]

@@fitz303 Spiral nails cost a little bit more than common nails, but they hold better.

[@johncarlevaro943]

Great video! What studs dimension would you use for a 23' long ladder?

[@BasaPete]

Thank you for your comment. A 23' wooden ladder is a long ladder. I had a 20' wooden rooftop ladder, but I only used it for climbing up steep roofs. I don't think a 23' wooden ladder would be safe.

[@machia0705]

Bruno Hauptmann built a ladder like that. I’m a history buff, lol! Nice work.

[@BasaPete]

Thanks for the comment. Ha!Ha! Hopefully, no one will be kidnapped after building this ladder.

[@machia0705]

Ha ha! You know your history. Enjoy your videos. Good building tips! All the best from NJ.

[@BasaPete]

@@machia0705 Thanks. I'm forever a student of history. NJ. Are you bracing for the upcoming storm? (No April Fools Joke) I'm north of you in NS. We're expecting heavy rain for the next few days, changing to snow on the weekend. Darn! How's the covid doing in NJ?

[@machia0705]

@@BasaPete NS as in Nova Scotia? Rained here in the last 24 hours. Temperatures were in the mid 50’s for the most part but took a drop today, mid 40’s, going down to 20 tonight, tomorrow’s high around 37, then gradual warming up to high 50’s. Extremely windy too. I’m near Newark International Airport about 15 miles from midtown Manhattan but where I live in NJ is right on the outskirts of the more heavily populated areas, in fact it’s like living in the country here. Near woods and a golf course. I have had my own construction business for about 35 years on and off. I keep going back into business for myself, and been in business continually for the past 18 years. It’s a good living but the competition is brutal. I enjoy a challenge though and love to build things. Not completing an Engineering degree years ago was a huge mistake, but all in all I’ve been pretty fortunate. Always making money. Enjoy picking-up tips etc on KZbin, that’s how I discovered your channel. Covid19 is here. I may get the shot at the end of this month. I have a healthy respect for this virus as I know people who have gotten very sick from it, so I take strict precautions. My wife and I are the sole caregivers for her Mom who just turned 99. Perfect health both mentally and physically, but we have to be extremely careful in protecting ourselves as to not get her sick. The more I read about mRNA technology used in two of the vaccines makes me more comfortable about the idea of risking any side effects. Literature on these vaccines shows a high degree of safety. How are things by you?

[@BasaPete]

@@machia0705 Yup, I'm in Nova Scotia, about an hour south of Halifax. I'm definitely in the woods and there's a golf course about 2kms from my house (It used to be a big dairy farm). I've driven by the Newark Airport many times on my way south. That's a very busy airport. I like NJ. It has beautiful beaches, nice highways, and no self-serve gas stations, plus it's a great hockey state. Go Devils! Yesterday we had lots of wind and rain, temperature 10°C (50°F). Today was good, just a little overcast with a light breeze. I went to the beach for a nice long walk (3hrs). The weatherman is calling for snow on Sunday. I'm hoping not, I changed to summer tires on my car this past week. I started out working on construction back in the early 70s in Boston. Then, in 1976, I moved back to Canada and spent the rest of my working life on construction part-time during the day and in a tire factory full-time at night. Thirty years of that was plenty. I retired from factory work in 2006 and now at age 65, I'm retired full time. Now I spend most of my time puttering around our property, making KZbin videos, and traveling. My last trip was to Nepal, hiking to Everest Base Camp. Here's the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXPKiGqdma16eKs We had a bad Covid 19 outbreak last March and April 2020, which killed a lot of seniors in one of our old folk's homes. Our Premier (governor) told us all to "STAY THE BLAZES HOME!" And it worked. We all stayed home for a month or so and then slowly everything reopened. We still wear masks when we go shopping or the theater or the hockey rink, but mainly we're back to normal. As of today, we only have 31 active cases, only one is in hospital and they are all related to travel outside the province. We haven't had a death since last year and all 66 of them were in their 80s. I'm hoping to get my vaccine shot later this month. Right now, they're working on the 70 and over folks with the Maderna vaccine and the 50-64 group with the AstraZeneca vaccine. Our government says everyone will be vaccinated by summer. Take Care and Stay Safe.

[@KelikakuCoutin]

Subscribed. I needed a 16' ladder to maintain some rain gutters. I don't know but if I'll adapt this method to my needs. Thanks for the content. Keep up the good work. BS'D

[@BasaPete]

Thank you for subscribing and for your comment.

[@etutlf4176]

Excellent video. Did you really have to cut the 3/4 inch spaces to fit in the steps? You could have just nailed the steps (perhaps with longer nails). If you are going to keep the ladder outside, I would definitely stain/paint it.

[@BasaPete]

Thank you for your comment. Fitting and bedding the steps gives them more strength and also helps prevent the long 2x4s from twisting.

[@michiganmikeupnorth]

Nice work!

[@BasaPete]

Thank You.

[@dearsanta2613]

great stuff! Why nails and not screws though? Just a personal preference?

[@BasaPete]

Thank you for your comment. Nails have a great shear strength than screws.

[@aydin2005ozdemir]

Nice work, master. I will build one tomorrow. Thanks

[@BasaPete]

Thank you. Good luck and have fun building your ladder.

[@beerlover5000]

Great video. i am looking to build my own ladder so this helped a lot. one question...is there a reason for the spiral nails or is it just what you like? Thank you in advance

[@BasaPete]

Thank you for your comment. I used the spiral nails simply because I had them left over from another project.

[@loganwebb5086]

if one painted or sealed the entire ladder and then added braces facing a tree then some small ratchet straps think this would do good for a deer stand? also something to set it on so doesnt rot at the ground level. broke my back couple years ago and climbing pegs are real difficult dont really have money for expensive ladder stands but i have plenty 2x4s

[@BasaPete]

Thank you for your comment and interesting question. I use a deer-blind with fresh spruce boughs to mask my scent. Sitting in a tree stand is dangerous as you obviously know. Braces with a seating platform should work. I would sit the ladder on flat rocks or a piece of pressure-treated wood. Along with the ratchet straps, I would also tie the ladder off near the halfway point. That will keep the ladder from kicking out. Good luck.

[@Christie-gp2cy]

Beautiful job! Do you make them to sell? Thank you.

[@BasaPete]

Thank you for your comment. No I don’t make them to sell.

[@teeandy100]

Jamaica watching in 🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲

[@BasaPete]

Hope you enjoyed watching it.

[@teeandy100]

I'm making one this week

[@BasaPete]

@@teeandy100 Good luck and have fun.

[@teeandy100]

I made it with my circle saw. It turned out pretty great but not as accurate as yours. Thanks again

[@teeandy100]

I made my cross pieces flush but I am just seeing that you didn't when yours?

[@thefacelessone74]

I want to build something similar... I have a outdoor shed that I turned into a guest room / office .... it's 12ftx12ft and has 2 lofts one on each side with a gap separating them down the center. .. the lofts edge is 10ft.. so i need a 12ft ladder ... is it possible to make the ladder so it is collapsible with joints ... was thinking either 1 joint at 6ft mark or 2 joints 4 / 8 ft.... would this make the ladder much less stable and or unsafe?

[@BasaPete]

Thank you for your comment. Yes, you can build a hinged ladder. You can find the proper hinges at your local hardware store or online.

[@iGoldeneYe]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing. Be Safe.

[@BasaPete]

Thank you.

[@lauriecullen8343]

You can tell that this man has driven a few nails in his time.

[@BasaPete]

Thank you for your comment.

[@xKopic]

Would you recommend miter cutting the feet at an angle to give it better grip? I dont plan on fixing this ladder to anything, im gonna be using it to get on my roof and storing when unused

[@BasaPete]

Thank you for your question. Cutting the feet at an angle may help the grip on hard surfaces, such as pavement or concrete. But I would leave the feet square if using the ladder on a soft surface. Square feet will dig in better on soft ground.

[@xKopic]

@ thanks for the reply and great video, youre a great guide

[@МыслимЛубяго-ж5л]

Хорошая лестница получилась у хорошего человека.

[@BasaPete]

Спасибо за ваш добрый комментарий.

[@waynesinden]

Great seeing you again. O though you retired... again 😃 when are you comming to South Africa?

[@BasaPete]

Thanks for your comment. I guess I'm sort of semi-retired. No travel plans until Covid restrictions are lifted. Maybe next year, hopefully.

[@gregmize01]

Awesome, thanks!!!!

[@BasaPete]

Thank you.

[@gbedir]

Nice job.

[@BasaPete]

Thank you.

[@UmairTahir403]

Nice work

[@BasaPete]

Thanks.

[@xXxSP4RKxXx]

nice! how could i protect the wood from rain, without being slippery

[@BasaPete]

Thank you for your comment and question. I would use pressure-treated wood to protect from the rain.

[@andrewbratos6907]

bed liner spray

[@RammGmbH]

Yup, those green-stained log fences can last for ages, I'd use that kind of wood for this application.

[@danielgrabske3545]

Why did you use caulking instead of glue or construction adhesive??

[@BasaPete]

Thank you for your question. Caulking is a commonly used bedding compound for wooden shipbuilding. If caulking is good for ships then it's certainly good for a wooden ladder. You can use construction adhesive if you wish, but I don't recommend wood glue for outside use.

[@carama3590]

That’s what my daddy told me.

[@DIYVariety]

Welcome back

[@BasaPete]

Thank you, and stay safe.

[@ernestoreyna5202]

ESE BARROTE DE QUE MADERA ES?

[@BasaPete]

Gracias por su pregunta. La madera es de abeto.

[@seanmhar123]

Sir what if you dont have electric daw? Like me, im only using manual saw. How to a cut the 4x2? Can i use a Chessel?

[@BasaPete]

Thank you for your question. Yes, you can use a hand-saw and chisel. It's the old-fashion way. I've done it many times.

[@andrewbratos6907]

depends on Lbs.make it out of ²x³'s with ²x² spacers & ²x² rungs(no knots) nails & glue, good ² go!

[@Lesrevesdhiver]

Hand held circular saws are not real expensive if you just want something to get by with for occasional use. Looks like Harbor freight carries one for about $30.

[@stoneyj1a1]

Awesome idea. I may have to do this on the weekend instead of buying a 100+ extension ladder.

[@BasaPete]

Thank you for your comment. I don't believe there's such a thing as a 100+ extension ladder. A 40 footer is the longest that I know of, and you wouldn't catch me on it. Ha!Ha!

[@Lesrevesdhiver]

@@BasaPete I think he meant $100 or more, not 100+ feet. Also, this is a good video. It gets to the point, unlike some DIY videos that have a lot of banter.

[@BasaPete]

@@Lesrevesdhiver Thank you for clairifying Agreeable Dragon"s comment. I thought a100+ ladder was a bit long.

[@ernestoreyna5202]

HABRA QUE BARRENAR PRIMERO PARA ENDAMBLAR EL TAQUETE?

[@BasaPete]

Gracias por su pregunta. Me gusta perforar los extremos de los travesaños para evitar que se partan.

[@seancripps4897]

Why not just nail the rungs directly to the 2x4 ?

[@BasaPete]

Thank you for your question. Nails can back out under pressure. The notches make the ladder much stronger and safer.

[@The3chordwonder]

Nailing the rungs means the nails take 100% of the shear load, so in addition to the natural tendency for the rung to twist (nail pull out) as you roll your foot onto/off the step, this allows the wood notch to handle 100% of the shear load and the nail's only job is to keep it inside the notch. If you look under a set of stairs, you'll see the treads rest on top of the stringers instead of being simply nailed into the side of a 2x12. It's done that way for the same reason.

[@BasaPete]

@@The3chordwonder Thank you for your nice comment. You explained the reason for notches much better than I could.

[@gregl2249]

Great video -made union carpenters style

[@BasaPete]

Thank you for your nice comment.

[@judithscales1329]

💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@PaskalGillboe]

I suspect his studs were 11' considering he used 9 treads at every 12" !

[@BasaPete]

You need to recalculate your figures. 11' studs would need 10 treads. Pause the video at 4:20 and see for yourself. 10' = 9 treads.

[@marthaleone584]

Thank you 🙂👏!

[@mikewalsh7793]

You don't need to notch, just use filler pieces. In my local safety code we're not even allowed to notch.

[@chinmeysway]

That is odd as notched is plenty strong (prob stronger) if the lumber is good of course

[@1northahead]

👌👌👌🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇺🇸

[@philiprowat3288]

Wrong, by dadoing your vertical 2x4s you reduce their strength and make a place for moisture to enter. The proper way is to glue and screw the 2x4 rungs to the vertical rails and then glue and screw vertical supports 1 3/4" w x 12" l between each rung.

[@BasaPete]

Thank you for your comment. Won't the vertical supports make the ladder too heavy? I bead the rungs with waterproof caulking so there will be no moister getting in between the rungs and rails.

[@philiprowat3288]

@@BasaPete It will definitely make the ladder heavier. The real problem is by notching the supports you compromise their structural integrity in multiple points. Underground mines require that wooden ladders not be notched and have vertical support for the rungs because of multiple failures of improperly constructed ladders.

[@BasaPete]

@@philiprowat3288 Hopefully, I'll never have to use this ladder down in a mine. But I see your point. This is a light ladder to be used for light jobs. I once built a ladder using 2x4s and 1" hand-whittled dowels. It was lightweight and handy to use, but I had a few dowels crack over the years.

[@silentvoiceinthedark5665]

Anybody looked a the price of ladders these days? This is fool proof

[@BasaPete]

Thank you for your nice comment.

[@dennisharold5030]

I did it too. This is what I used Woodglut designs for

[@BasaPete]

Thanks for your comment. No need to waste money on a professional designer for a simple wooden ladder.

[@dennisharold5030]

@@BasaPete Woodglut is full of amazing tips. It helped me a lot.

[@gregl2249]

The purpose of you to this for free advice not paying for a site that you’re advertising for

[@thefacelessone74]

why nails

[@BasaPete]

Nails have greater shear strength than screws.

[@fitz303]

Always use a nail over a screw if you can... esp on the ends of wood.

[@megg7558]

That one isn't 10' ladder😮

[@BasaPete]

Why do you say that?

[@michaelfrank6696]

You've just weakened the 2x4 by cutting notches in them

[@BasaPete]

Thank you for your comment. Don't notch them if you think that would be better.

[@jharding32]

Barely. He only went an inch in. I just built this and did the same thing. Ladders are almost vertical when you use them. If they were extremely horizontal this might actually matter.

[@jshedd316]

he actually didn't. I would suggest reading a structures textbook. specifically the chapters on tension and compression faces.

[@shantelfullerton9865]

Woodglut is a good solution for every woodworker.

[@terrylongmire-wb5hf]

Good job I like

[@BasaPete]

Thank you.

[@jungbechtospk40]

Woodglut is nice for that.

[@gregrandol2801]

This time I will use woodglut plans for this.

[@BasaPete]

No need for plans. It’s easy to build.

[@pierluigicolotto9570]

There are many similar projects in woodglut's plans.