Do It Yourself Antique Decoritive Wood Ladder

Last fall I helped my excellent buddy with a few DIY wedding event design jobs for her step-daughter’s wedding. One of the Do It Yourself wedding event design projects was for a classic wood ladder motivated by this one. I made the ladder rails and actions a little bit wider than the inspiration ladder to make it simpler to put decorations on the actions.

*** Caution– This ladder is for ornamental purposes only, do not use for climbing. ***

How to Develop an Ornamental Vintage Wood Ladder

Products

Cut List

• 2– 3/4 \u2033 x 5 1/2 \u2033 x 63 7/8 \u2033 with 20 deg miter cuts on both ends, see cut diagram– front rails
• 1– 3/4 \u2033 x 5 1/2 \u2033 x 19 1/2 \u2033– leading
• 1– 3/4 \u2033 x 5 1/2 \u2033 x 18 \u2033– back board
• 4 — 3/4 \u2033 x 5 1/2 \u2033 x 16 1/2 \u2033– steps
• 2– 3/4 \u2033 x 2 1/2 \u2033 x 57 1/2 \u2033– back rails
• 1 — 3/4 \u2033 x 2 1/2 \u2033 x 19 1/2 \u2033– leading additional
• 1 — 3/4 \u2033 x 2 1/2 \u2033 x 18 \u2033– cross brace

Cut Diagram

I made 2 vintage wood ladders. I began with these recovered wood boards from an old barn that I restored.

I cut the boards up according to the cut list (these are only the 1 7/6 size boards).

On the inside face of the front rail boards, I marked 12 3/4″ up from the bottom 4X (12 3/4″, 25 1/2″, 38 1/4″, 51″), marking both the front and back edges.

Marking leading edge, repeat for back edge.

I utilized a straight edge to link the marks. This line will be the top of the ladder step.

Drill countersink holes in the front rails, where the actions attach, 2 holes for each side of the action. Line-up the top of stair step with the line made use of front rails. I used 1 5/8 inch screws to attach the step to the front rails.

I utilized a clamp to help while attaching the actions to the rail.

Overhang the top board about 3/4 inch in the front and center it side to side. Drill countersink holes and connect it to the top of the front rails with screws.

Connecting the top board with screws.

I marked 5 3/4 inch below the top of the front rail (back side). I drilled countersink holes and connected the back board with screws.

On the 2 back rail boards, mark 12 inch up from the bottom. Spread out the back rails so they are 18 inch apart (outside edges). Connect the 18 inch cross brace to the back rails at the 12 inch mark using 1 1/4 inch screws.

I placed the back rails on the ladder and marked the holes for the hinge screws. I attached the hinges to the back board and back rails.

If you wish to make certain the ladder legs do not spread to far, you can include rope or twine between the front and back rails. I typically simply connect a knot in the twine and staple it to the wood just above the knot.

Download the free Vintage Wood Ladder prepares– > HERE.