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