How to make a Ladder simple on-site carpentry and joinery

I am Making a ladder for my Mezzanine area in the garden room. I used some nice joinery grade softwood from my local supplier and set about making the ladder. Using roof rafter setting out techniques I laid out the housings in the stiles or strings and then using my roofing square I used a small circular saw to make the cuts very quickly, then it was onto moulding the edges and the tread material before chopping out the housings with a chisel and then flattened with my bearing guided router cutter that I use on my hinge jigs
The assembly was easy using wood glue and 50mm stainless steel 18g brad nails followed by secret screwing the treads with 60mm trim screws
The new ladder hooked over my apron lining really nicely and I am super pleased with it
Cost of material £85.00 including VAT
And about 5 hours to make it, (would have been less but I was also filming for myself!!!)
Like the Video? Maybe buy me a coffee!!
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[@kroozer5215]

Robin always brings a smile to my face when he starts off by saying "Im gonna make a really really basic simple under stair cupboard/ladder or set of stairs" etc, i would make a mess of the job choosing the lumber - but i do love his work, but i think he forgets we are not all on the same level as him.

[@robgullen]

Excellent - if only I could find a timber merchant that is as good as this one appears to be - tidy, professional and helpful!

[@ukconstruction]

Yep this is Champion Timber, have been using them since 1986!!!

[@Sol-hl2rj]

Very good! Joinery on two sawhorses on damp uneven ground in the rain - done “easy” Got to love that!

[@kiwigrunt330]

Yeah, I'm surprised to see he doesn't have a workshop. Or roof racks and tow bar on his van, for that matter.

[@whatscookin8269]

Nice watch with my porridge and berries on a Sunday morning. Life is good

[@ernesthandywork8789]

It is very satisfying when you complete some joinery on-site, using basic tools, working off sawhorses...... although it doesn't always feel like that at the time 😉

[@edwoodcarpentry]

Need to be careful or you’ll have some baby wheelbarrows running round soon! 😂 lovely ladder and really finishes the space off! Looking forward to you coming to Devon to do the stairs! 🤩

[@hunter-yy3ob]

Hi Robin , Great video as always can I suggest that you put some felt pads on the bottom of the ladder as over time you will wear the top layer off the Karndean. I’ve seen it happen so many times.

[@marcstirrup9262]

Great to see a pro carpenter creating that kind of quality with off the shelf timber and basic (Hilti?) tools and no workshop full of machines each costing more than a Range Rover! It’s a shame that the decent independent timber merchants are a dying breed - try doing that with the banana-shaped boards from your big diy store!

[@ukconstruction]

Cheers Marc, your right about decent timber merchants!! this one is called Champion Timber and they have always been super consistent with quality and service

[@mikiex]

I never could have cut those bird mouths without putting in situ to double check it, but you're such a pro everything is perfect :)

[@ukconstruction]

😊 thank you

[@davidrutter3192]

You are a clever bloke.Clever Clevett!

[@markwalsh9883]

If you spin one string around end for end, line up your pencil marks and clamp you can cut both together. Nice video 👍

[@ukconstruction]

In the case of a stair like this they are opposites so when you try to lay them together they will always look like a chevron meaning you need to cut them individually, you could clamp them back to back and flip them over as one piece to cut them though

[@markwalsh9883]

@ukconstruction Apologies Robin, you're absolutely right. I also had a " really good idea about an inside-out wood turning piece. It won't work quite as envisaged either. Bloody beer!

[@marklawlor9355]

Great job Robin, Something nice working especially in your own Home, your Wife will be very happy with that ladder Robin us journey men Carpenters can work in all weathers, Can be frustrating if your cutting mdf sheets and your running back and fourth under cover😢😂❤

[@brianbostock1698]

Kroozer 5215, there aren’t many people who can equal Robin in his field, I love to see some of the detractors work,or maybe not

[@self-preservationsociety7057]

I know I would have ended up with four half saw horses and a heap of fire wood, nice job Robin as usual.

[@ricos1497]

Some lovely blemish free boards you managed to get there, the definite advantage of selecting your own timber. Looked great in the end. Gives you the perfect place to go when you're in the bad books.

[@ukconstruction]

Absolutely!!!

[@Stewart_Bell]

The styling fairy has paid a visit to the store summerhouse. I must say the buildig and the work if the styling fairy have come together into something cery, very nice. A lovely example of what can be achieved. Summer house seemes something of an understatement though!

[@woodworks371]

Hi Robin, lovely vid. Your squeeze clamps look as battered as mine! Oh, the joys of working out in all weathers!

[@jasonmoncrieff7449]

Brilliantly done Robin!

[@erhantimur]

Stunning garden room and grounds from the look of it, a perfect place to switch off with a good book.

[@JonDunnmusician]

Robin, at the beginning, you're talking about buying a wooden ladder. That would be absurd for someone with your amount of talent.

[@lewisbrotherscarpentry]

Mow that is cool 😮

[@Nehbur]

Thanks for sharing. Your video's always makes me enthusiastic about my next project again. You're an inspiration!

[@danielharphamgist8029]

Thanks for another great video. You teach us so much.

[@eamonkeanediy9407]

Top class as always

[@thetruth6693]

What a master piece

[@user-ci4ok7qs5o]

Fantastic Robin 👌

[@1987pagey]

Quality work

[@andybrace4983]

Lovely old job 💥💥💥

[@Tomherbs]

Great timing Robin, just looking for a video on this subject for my own new loft.

[@seanolaoire8476]

The suspense at the end 😮😮 nice one Robin.

[@thomasnn]

Enjoyed this thoroughly

[@ukconstruction]

Thank you!!

[@BigDDunc]

That'd be a perfect space in the roof for a loft hammock! Have a look at them amazing setups

[@johnchincotta1qwdb15]

Very nice job Robbin.Always attention to detail

[@gbwildlifeuk8269]

Nice but dont like the gap at the back of the tread. Think wider material for the treads would have looked better, or a stopped rebate.

[@simony2801]

There’s always one isn’t there.

[@135Ops]

@@simony2801 He's not wrong though.

[@Stewart_Bell]

I think most people would be so awestruck by the summerhouse as to not notice the rebate at all

[@RI-uv3lm]

He has a point Robin, given your propensity for perfection. Note: Given the width of the timber, one would have needed a slightly larger width timber for the tread or reduced the width of the rails. IMO, this works fine. Does what it says on the tin, really

[@RI-uv3lm]

He has a point Robin, given your propensity for perfection. Note: given the width of the timber, one would have needed a slightly larger for the tread or, reduced width of the rails. IMO, this works fine. Does what it says on the tin, really

[@banjomir519]

Really well explained, thank you!

[@ukconstruction]

You're very welcome!

[@reedy8585]

Nice

[@SJWardBuilders]

First class video! And... lovely job!!!

[@ukconstruction]

Thank you Sam, hope your well

[@user-ek2ui4sv9c]

Great job, thank you. :-)

[@paulzirker706]

Attention to detail Robin again astounds me. Great job.

[@ukconstruction]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@chriscardwell3495]

Thanks for showing us your *simple ladder* with designer features and the build process. Fabulous job :-)

[@ukconstruction]

Thank you very much!

[@garrydean6694]

Great video

[@ukconstruction]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@WilliamPightling]

Lovely piece of work Robin. Well explained as usual. 😊

[@ukconstruction]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@declandoolin4356]

That very good by robin crevitt it's like in construction industry

[@jason-hh6lu]

Bloody weather. It rains and tools get soak, then the sun comes out. It’s been like that all this year. Nice video Robin. 👍🏻 nice detail with the V Groove.

[@ukconstruction]

Thanks 👍

[@ValgniTehki]

I wish I was a carpenter so I could just build random stuff whenever I want 😂

[@tacticalskiffs8134]

Just start. Can be reclaimed wood, and second hand tools, or an ocean going yacht, whatever you want to do, and can manage.

[@bradleythechippychandler9228]

Tidy little project that bud 👍🏻

[@ukconstruction]

Cheers Bradley!

[@jim_jim1674]

Very impressive to make it on the outside with only two sawhorses 👏👏👏 This is more a showoff of the master's mastery than a demonstration of how 😅.

[@ukconstruction]

Glad you liked it!

[@skipflorey2511]

Hi Robin, good video and a superb way to construct a ladder. Like your timber supplier! One issue I have is crossing your arms using the miter saw. I would hold with the right and operate the saw with my left.

[@user-rq9ls7bv5l]

Inspirational Rob! Need to make a ladder now, don't need one but just for fun! Might go for oak and use through domino's for the treads as a feature. Cheers

[@ukconstruction]

Nice idea!!! thank you for watching!!

[@woodbutcher]

Awesome Robin! I really really really want to buy one of your framing squares!

[@rubenvonk6614]

Robin your doing an amazing job. Im learning new skills every video you make. But one tip tho, try not to cut with your arms crossed.

[@daves4026]

would love to see you make a custom wooden folding loft ladder :-)

[@GlennBroadway]

Tantalising glimpses of the completed building. Are we going to get a full tour now?

[@DIYLONDON]

Simple ! 😂- love the v groove , just that finishing touch make it stand out, top shelf stuff yet again rob! Brill - I will attempt to replicate a 3 step version for a small hatch at home …. 😅

[@ukconstruction]

Thanks bro, I am sure you will do a great job, maybe post it on your channel

[@DIYLONDON]

😂 now there’s a challenge! Thanks pal .

[@unfocusedjoker4374]

Can't help thinking of the silent singer!

[@jim_jim1674]

0:51 some commets stated that it would be better to have wider treads to leave no gap in the back. However it implies further trimming backs of treads are required, or it will be a problem to slide up the ladder.

[@Alex_F81]

😎👍

[@anthonykinrade8642]

I would reinforce with a few steel threaded rods under 2 or 3 of the treads.

[@kierenhudson6331]

1st rule of carpentry is always cut away from yourself when using a utility knife! 👍

[@davidperry2306]

Nice video as usual Robin, but why no ladder step support rods? They would guarantee the tread to style joints won't become loose.

[@SteveHit1]

Great video and ladder looks fab! Surprised you’re not using a Festool pencil though!

[@tonyclark9851]

Looks like selcos

[@garyhollywell2112]

Robin just brilliant and great watching...absolute craftsman. Not seen Ed for some time, is he still working with you?

[@thetessellater9163]

Surprised you didn't make the top taller, allowing an easier handhold when descending

[@daveylad2]

Great work Robin 👍 You know when you were cutting the housing into the stringers with the circular saw, the bottom cut, did you leave the pencil line on for that one? Because you covered the top line with the scrap piece when setting out and then marked bottom with pencil, so the pencil line for the bottom of the tread would be on the outside the cut and need to stay on for a tight fit? Am I right or am I being to fussy?

[@ukconstruction]

It's all about trial and error and what suits your style of accuracies, I like to try to make the pencil line thin and exactly the width of the material that I am housing and then try to cut on the line maybe leaving the smallest trace of a line once the cut is complete, its all about a good average and some housings will be looser or tighter than others, its good to be fussy it means you have a good standard and you aim high!! Hope that helps bro

[@mungoh42]

Great video Robin: thankyou. Question: Why not cut the birds mouth and the slope at the bottom of the ladder before assembly? Also, it looked like the second top rung fouled the bottom of the upstairs joists. Would that have been better a few inches lower to allow the climber's toes to go fully into the tread? Finally, although your explanations are good, could we see the finished product in action first before you then go back in time and show how it is built? Otherwise all the video is a simple chronology and a presumption that the viewer can see what you are envisaging. I still learnt stuff, so thankyou again.

[@matthewworrell8784]

A bit of Osmo would finish it off!

[@GrumpyGarry121]

Hide the line, show the line, split the line. Don’t see this stuff in other channels and it’s important for fine woodworking

[@tristancorbett7309]

Far be it from me to give you advice but the process seems a bit long winded. I made a ladder for my sons bunk bed last week. I just made a jig for my palm router and cut all the recess for the legs in one shot with that, toom literally minutes and turned out perfectly

[@ukconstruction]

Did you hear the bit where I mention that you could just use a palm router and my reason not too?

[@tristancorbett7309]

No I missed that bit mate? My little boy was in full swing in a tantrum whilst I was watching it, what part in the timeline was it? I'll have a look now

[@RichieRich845]

👍Well done!

[@craigy1872]

Have you recorded a video of your flooring installation?

[@Shane_O]

I would never knock what you do as I’ve gained so much info from your channel…..”but” (sorry) a beautiful hardwood piece with a wide base to a tapered top, to invite someone up to that loft area wood be nice…

[@timothyjones9804]

If you listen carefully, you can hear the thousands of carpenter/joiners thinking “you can keep your saw horses, I’m more than happy working under a roof”.

[@gravey07]

Which brand of mustard did you use for glueing in the treads? Thanks.

[@johnryder6853]

What wood you using?

[@wrightwoodwork]

Shsrp pencil sharp mind

[@jamescaunt2958]

Hi Robin. What flooring have you used in there please. Is it LVT and if so what manufacturer do you use? Have seen the herringbone in that colour a few times now and looks great. Presume it works well for the UFH? Thanks J

[@thebrotherofthunder]

Robin, did you release for sale the bracket for the framing square?

[@paulmetcalfe3721]

Robin! Do your circ saws and hand saws have the exact same kerf?

[@ukconstruction]

Very close the Circular saw is 1.5mm and the hand saw with a decent set is about 1.25mm

[@johnfstockland]

What kind of hidden screws did you end up using for the treads?

[@ukconstruction]

I mentioned those in the video description

[@CFC007]

Robin I’m not a carpenter, but do you think I’ll be able to make ladders for my loft in that style of ladder

[@mule666]

Are you handy ?

[@christianalvarez7799]

Does it always rain in the UK?

[@ukconstruction]

for the last 6 months it has rained so much!!!

[@marcmorris-kb9ry]

I'm watching this but a mechanic....30 years working outside in UK....now in Catalunya.....better

[@AsadMulla]

2:06 Ply? Isn't that MDF

[@ukconstruction]

Yes!!! I have a habit of calling all things ply!!

[@Lyonscarpentry]

Ed not with you anymore robin? Not seen him in awhile!

[@ukconstruction]

He is working in Devon at his Dads place

[@Lyonscarpentry]

@@ukconstruction his timed that well with the weather changing😁

[@gazgazist]

Hi Robin does small Edd still work for you bud?

[@ukconstruction]

Yes bro, he is working at his Dads place in Devon at the moment

[@gazgazist]

@@ukconstruction ah wicked he seems a top bloke and not saying top coz of he's height 🤣🤣 your definitely a top chippie yourself like every trade you make it all look so easy, I was a plumber/heating engineer so understand every day is a learning day. Stay safe and mostly stay strong!!

[@stewartstewartstewart]

Your garden room is bigger than my f**king house 😂

[@mrsbradpittiful]

No pattern rafter to see if your set out worked ? 😂

[@ukconstruction]

No I trusted myself!!! Its taken years to build the confidence to just trust the maths!!!

[@Dazza19746]

27:10. You know better than that mate! 🤐

[@daveylad2]

Crossing hands?

[@Dazza19746]

@@daveylad2 good way to chop of a hand! If he does end up there in the dog house, he can’t hold a magazine and pleasure himself! Disaster

[@nathan87]

Sometimes you just gotta do it. Quite when chopsaw manufacturers will make one that can be operated left or right handed I don't know.

[@Dazza19746]

@@nathan87 I do it all the time 🤷both chop saw and radial arm. You just train yourself to hold with your right and operate saw with left, just becomes a natural flowing movement depending which side of saw you’re on. I think I’m a bit ambidextrous through doing this job, more so necessarily in different tasks, glazing with putty is a good example

[@nathan87]

@@Dazza19746 Sure, but what I mean is that - at least on my chop saw - it is impossible to operate with the left hand because the safety button that is supposed to be operated with the thumb is on the wrong side. So the only option is to go with the right hand and cross arms.

[@kevinbarton8036]

Love u. But not ur best work

[@martynlegg1042]

Wider treads rqd to remove visible trenching, the beautiful place needs the better detail!

[@sixpotshot]

On this one I would disagree with most: if this is a video about "how to make a ladder" then it a far too complicated and unclear one performing poorly compared to much better ones available. If you wanted to entertain the crowd then fair enough, it does the job and it is nice to watch as most your videos are but then its title it is misleading. Thank you for posting regardless of any considerations.

[@nathan87]

What are you talking about. I watched this once and I understood immediately how he did it. Couldn't have been clearer.