How to make a folding stepladder more reliable than a store-bought one
Widespread aluminum stepladders are comfortable, lightweight and functional. They are available in various sizes, and buying them is not difficult - they are available in all construction stores. One problem is that such products have serious load restrictions. That is, if you are a large person, you should think three times before climbing onto the top step of an aluminum ladder. What to do? The way out of the situation lies on the surface - to make your own stepladder from more durable materials. Progress of work step by step - read on.
Making a durable stepladder
To make a homemade ladder, you will need an equipped metalworking workshop - a cutting circular saw for metal, yews, a guillotine, a drilling machine and a semi-automatic welding machine. The basis for the future stepladder will be a metal rectangular profile.
Sections of the required length are cut, and their ends are closed with metal plates by welding.
We mark long profiles for subsequent installation of steps.
Stops-limiters are made from a metal strip to open the stepladder.Everything is secured with washers and bolts, which are then welded to the side profiles.
We weld the steps.
Perpendicularity is controlled using a square. Stops from the corners are installed to work with the straightened ladder. For the same purposes, fixing clamps are made of thick steel wire.
It is measured seven times, everything is welded once. The assembled product is coated with paint in several layers. Ready!
The convenience, strength and versatility of the design can be assessed in the final frames of the video. Of course, a homemade stepladder turned out to be much heavier than a store-bought aluminum one. But its strength is not in doubt. Whether it’s worth the trouble of making a homemade staircase is up to you to decide.
