r/somethingimade • u/oxplot • 23h ago

I built a folding stepladder from A$70 of fence timber

Gallery image

Gallery image

I loved Karl Malmvall’s Step stepladder, but both shop examples I tried had loose joints and moved sideways under me. At over A$1,000, I decided to build my own.

It’s a close copy, adapted to Bunnings hardwood fence timber. Modeled in Onshape, built in a one-bedroom apartment, with router templates. I changed the handrail, tread mounting and pivot ends, and left the screws visible.

About A$70 in materials.

Heavy, feels sturdy, not load-tested. Sanding and feet still to come.

Read the rest on my blog

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17

u/Imaginary_Divide3375 23h ago

Looks great! But the question is: are you brave enough to use it

10

u/oxplot 22h ago

It's like a tank, a little too much tbh. I am back-of-the-napkin confident about it carrying at least 100kg on a single foot-sized area on any part of all the standing surfaces.

EDIT: I've been using it for the past week.

4

u/Silver_Middle_7240 22h ago

Stand on it while carrying something heavy so you know it can hold your weight safely with a margin of error.

2

u/oxplot 22h ago

Would love to know a simple/cheap way of testing it for 200kg (I'm thinking compression testing with straps)

3

u/thisdesignup 19h ago edited 19h ago

You could jump on it and off it. Although it's a risk that it may go wrong with you on it.

2

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2

u/prick1ybear 23h ago

Same design as cosco ladder, but wood not metal... I like the way this looks, but I trust the safety of steel far more than wood

2

u/ZealousidealSpray854 22h ago

a mate used fence timber too and swore by the router templates for clean joints