How to build a rope ladder?

Question

I was wondering what materials I wouldeed and exactly how I would need to put together a rope ladder.

Answer 1

Materials

Two pieces of rope approx 4 ft longer than the needed ladder. Rope needs to be 1" thick

Enough 2 X 4 18 inches long for a step every 10 inches

A drill with a 11/4 inch wood bit.

Drill a hole 2 inches from each end of the boards. Thread the rope through the holes and tie a simple knot. Repeat every 10" until you have the length needed. Repeat on the other side. Wrap the ends of the rope with duct tape to keep from unraveling.

Answer 2

If you are going to use it, look for one online or Ebay.  You don't want it to break and hurt someone.

Answer 3

Go to a home improvement center and buy the following things:  enough wood for the number of steps you want (at one step every 9 inches) plus four (you may make mistakes), enough rope for the length of the ladder times 4 (you need that extra length, believe me), a drill with a large enough 'bit' to drill a hole large enough to take the rope.  Enough washers that are big enough to pass the rope through, and you'll need 4 washers per 'step.'  A saw to cut the steps to the length you want.

Cut the steps.  Drill two holes per step, at least 2" in from the ends of the step.  

Fold the rope in half, measure out enough to fasten to whatever it is you are making the rope ladder for and mark the rope at the place you want the first step.  Tie a knot in the rope just 'above' each mark.  Put on one washer, the step, another washer, and tie another knot as close to the wood as you can possibly get.  Do this on both sides of the rope.  At the bottom end, you should have enough rope to be able to tie both sides together using two triple hitches, so the ropes will 'pull together' when weight is added.  If you measure EXTREMELY CAREFULLY and work slowly and methodically, your rope ladder should be nearly perfect.  Don't worry, because no hand-made rope ladder is perfect, but you do need to have the 'steps' as evenly spaced and 'flat' to the ground as possible or you could slip and fall off it when climbing.  YOU must choose how wide you want each step, but use wood that is AT LEAST 3" square if you are going to have the rope ladder outdoors, and at least 2" square if you want it indoors.  Yes, you NEED those washers, because the rope will 'rub' on the wood, and the washers can keep it from 'fraying' over time, and the knots getting 'tight' and going through the wooden steps when you are climbing it.