The best tips for making DIY ladders are to begin the project with a focus on safety, to have a general idea of how the ladder will be used, to use the best and strongest materials available, and to have a good understanding of how to build the type of ladder one wishes to make. Regardless of height, ladders must be sturdy and well constructed, or serious injury could result from a fall or other malfunction. DIY ladders can be built with a number of different materials, the most common of which are wood, metal, and rope, which may be chosen based upon how and where the ladder is going to be used. The basic structure of a ladder is relatively simple, almost always consisting of steps which are securely fastened to two longer lengths of the same material.
When setting out to build DIY ladders out of wood, one will find the process easier and safer if he makes sure to use the proper tools for the job. Other than building materials, the tools necessary often include a screwdriver or power drill with a screw bit set, a circular saw to cut the wood, measuring tape, wood glue, and an L-square ruler to check angles and lengths.
If one is building a ladder out of wood and using screws to secure the steps to the vertical pieces, one of the best tips for both function and safety is to use the strongest screws available, and to ensure they are of an appropriate length for the size of the ladder being built. A common choice is to use decking screws for this purpose, as they are generally designed for use with wood and may be coated with a substance designed to prevent corrosion or rust.
DIY ladders made out of metal are usually constructed out of aluminum or steel and may require some extra safety precautions. When cutting the lengths of metal, it is important to use the correct kind of cutting tool, such as an abrasive cutoff saw, in order to cut the material evenly and to avoid excessive debris. Even so, cutting metal can result in fragments or dust being present in the air, so the builder may wish to wear protective eye wear such as goggles, gloves, and a respirator.
Rope ladders are often easier to make and require less expensive materials, but the builder should remain vigilant of safety and the quality of the material being used. The entire length of the rope being used should be carefully inspected before building these kinds of DIY ladders, in order to check for fraying, unwanted knots, or inconsistencies in the size or strength of the rope. Typically the rope should be a minimum of 1 inch (about 2.5 cm) thick, and be made out of a material that is resistant to frequent abrasion and, if used outdoors, sunlight and rainwater.