| This is a simple project that should | | | | uprights as well. |
| only take a couple of hours to complete. | | | | Now it is time to cut the notches. Set |
| Supplies: | | | | the depth of your circular saw to 1-1 |
| You will need | | | | 8". Start by making the cheek cuts of |
| 2 - 12' 2x4's (uprights) | | | | the notch then proceed to make a series |
| 2 - 8' 2x3's (rungs) | | | | of cuts about a 1/4" apart through the |
| Exterior wood glue | | | | rest of the notch. Do this for all the |
| 36 - 2-1/2" Deck Screws | | | | notches. |
| Tools: | | | | Before removing the clamps use your |
| 4 Clamps | | | | hammer to break out the wood in the |
| Measuring Tape | | | | notches and clean up each notch with |
| Square | | | | your chisel. |
| Pencil | | | | Unclamp the two uprights and set them |
| Circular Saw | | | | aside. Now cut all the 2x3's into 19" |
| Drill with countersink and screw bit | | | | lengths. You will get 5 out of each 2x3 |
| Hammer | | | | but since we will only need 9 rungs you |
| Chisel | | | | will have 1 extra. Each rung is attached |
| Start by clamping the two 12' - 2x4's | | | | to the upright with exterior wood glue |
| together with the top edge and ends | | | | and deck screws. You will need to drill |
| flush. Stand them on edge. The rungs are | | | | two countersinks on each end of the rung |
| notched into the 2x4 upright 1-1/8" so | | | | (so 4 per rung). |
| we need to mark out notches. The top and | | | | Now attach them to the uprights starting |
| bottom rungs are 8" from the ends, place | | | | with the top and bottom rung. You might |
| a mark at 8". This is the top of the | | | | need to use your hammer to "convince" |
| upper rung and the bottom of the lower | | | | the rungs into the notch. Don't force |
| one. Offset these marks 2-1/2" (the | | | | them into the notch if it too tight. |
| width of the 2x3 rungs). | | | | They should only need to be tapped in |
| Now measure out for the rest of the | | | | not beat to pieces. |
| rungs. Lay your tape measure on the 8" | | | | Put some of the exterior wood glue into |
| mark made earlier and measure 16" | | | | both notches and insert a rung. Make |
| increments. These marks represent the | | | | sure the rung in flush to the outside of |
| center of the intermediate rungs. Offset | | | | the uprights. Secure in place with 4 |
| these marks 1-1/4" on either side. | | | | deck screws (2 on each end). Continue |
| Using your square, square off the marks | | | | this for the reminder of the rungs. |
| you have just made down the face of the | | | | Protect you ladder with a durable finish |
| 2x4 uprights 1-1/8" deep. Square your | | | | like paint or stain. |
| marks across the top edge of the | | | | |