rope ladder

[QuickMick]

Im making a rope ladder for the dock. Im thinking of using dowel rods and securing them with double constrictor knots, but am interested in making one out of rope only. anyone know a good method for this or a place i can find one?

happy memorial day

[knothead]

Originally Posted by QuickMick

Im making a rope ladder for the dock. Im thinking of using dowel rods and securing them with double constrictor knots, but am interested in making one out of rope only. anyone know a good method for this or a place i can find one?

happy memorial day

Stormdrane's Blog: A Rope Ladder

[paulk]

Dowels might not be the best things to use for the rungs. They are often made with little concern for the grain pattern, so the grain runs out of the piece instead of going it's whole length. This weakness will give you a rung that is liable to crack when you put any real weight on it. Oak stair handrail material might be better. You'll be able to see if the grain runs out, and the grain tends to run more parallel to the sides in handlrails. It's also important to orient the rungs when you tie them so the parallel lines of the grain are on the top and bottom. Wooden baseball bats are used with the label up for the same reason. All-rope might be a lot simpler!

[knothead]

Originally Posted by paulk

Dowels might not be the best things to use for the rungs. They are often made with little concern for the grain pattern, so the grain runs out of the piece instead of going it's whole length. This weakness will give you a rung that is liable to crack when you put any real weight on it. Oak stair handrail material might be better. You'll be able to see if the grain runs out, and the grain tends to run more parallel to the sides in handlrails. It's also important to orient the rungs when you tie them so the parallel lines of the grain are on the top and bottom. Wooden baseball bats are used with the label up for the same reason. All-rope might be a lot simpler!

I bet an old shovel or hoe handle would be a good material.

[tager]

I bet schedule 40 tubing would work fine if you get the aspect ratio right. Thick tubing on a short rung.

[paulk]

Originally Posted by tager

I bet schedule 40 tubing would work fine if you get the aspect ratio right. Thick tubing on a short rung.

and lighter and less rot-prone than wood. The also-mentioned tool handles could work. They're often made of ash or hickory, as well as oak. At about $10 each, (I just got one to replace an umbrella post that got snapped in the wind) you're looking at an expensive ladder that requires a good bit of maintenance too.