- Joined
- Dec 31, 2010
- Messages
- 937
I inherited a 24" wood extension ladder from my father and it is in excellent condition. Not wanting to part with it and having a similar ladder made of fiber glass a different use had to be found.I had temporarily stored it in the same place using baler twine to support it and some 1"x12" pine boards; one day the twine failed due to resident mice.
Some 1/4" eyebolts having a 3/4"eye and a 2 1/2" lag screw shank were purchased and installed in the ceiling joist about 25" from the wall. Some special nuts were turned from some 1" round mystery metal by reducing 3/4" of the rod to 3/4" so it would go through the eye of the lag screw. A cross hole near the end was tapped 3/8" NC then the work was cut off leaving 1/8" x 1" shoulder to keep it from going through the eye bolt. Eight of these nuts were made. Brackets were made from 1/8"x1 1/2x 1 1/2 angle . 1/4" holes were drilled, one in the center of one leg; the other near the edge of the other leg. The brackets were fastened to the wall with 1/4"x1 1/2" lag screws through the center holes.
2"x4" boards were cut 27" long the a 3/8" hole drilled through 2" from one end. Each of the boards were held against the bracket the a pilot hole for a 1/4"x 1" lag screw that held the board in place.
Some 3/8" rods salvaged from damaged irrigating wheels were threaded 3/8" NC for about 1" on one end and approximately 2 1/2" on the other . Some flat washers were also made from 1/8"x1" strap. The 2"x4" supports were put in place with the outer end supported by the rods and having the larger flat washers and nut under the boards.
The ladders were then slid into place and some OSB boards placed across the rungs. I now have 24" of shelving and feel good about not letting the ladder get destroyed.
Ray
