Homemade Rope Ladder
- 1). Determine the length of your rope ladder by measuring the distance between ground level and where the ladder will be attached. Dowel rungs should be placed 12 inches apart, with an additional 2 inches factored in for the diameter of each dowel. Add another 2 inches in length for each knot that must be tied. Leave approximately 3 feet of rope above the top and bottom rungs, so the ladder can be tied off. Building a 10-foot ladder would require two 25-foot lengths of rope, ten 24-inch dowels, and 40 washers.
- 2). Cut the dowels into 24-inch lengths. Measure 2 inches from the end of each dowel, and mark a drilling spot with the felt-tipped marker. Place the dowel in the vise and tighten. Drill completely through the dowel at the marked spot using the 1 1/4-inch drill bit. Repeat this procedure for each dowel.
- 3). Measure 3 feet from one end of each rope--the bottom of the ladder--and make a mark. Tie an overhand knot at the 3-foot mark. Thread the opposite ends of each rope--the top of the ladder--through the washers, followed by the dowels, and followed by another washer. Slide the dowels and washers down the length of the rope until they meet the knot. Tie overhand knots tight against the top washers.
- 4). Measure 12 inches from the first dowel and make a mark. Tie another overhand knot in each rope. Continue threading the rope through the bottom washers, the dowels, and the top washers. Tie an overhand knot tight against the top washers. Repeat this process with the remaining eight rungs of your rope ladder.
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