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Workshop Loft Ladder

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TomNTex

01-21-2007 05:49:27




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I built this loft in the shop last month while I was home to add some storage space. Wife needed a place to store the Christmans decorations and such. I had this in mind for a long time and finally decided to give it a go. As it turned out I found it actually did a good job of holding the heat better around the work table and cabinets in this uninsulated shop. Now I need to build a ladder but don't want anything fixed that obstructs traffic around the table. Actually I would like to hinge a ladder off the "porch". Problem is if I built some sort of winch device to retract the ladder out of the way it 's going to stick out past the support leg about 24-30 inches and I really don't like that idea. I either need something that folds up or slides up over the porch at the hinge point. Any ideas? Thanks
Tom
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Brian in Ohio

01-21-2007 21:04:48




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 Re: Workshop Loft Ladder in reply to TomNTex, 01-21-2007 05:49:27  
While this may not be as simple as a ladder, why not build a flat platform, and rig it like an elevator. Attach the winch from over head, and have it move the platform up and down. It could stop flush with the porch, and you can just step off. It would be much safer for the Missus moving things up and down, and when it's not in use, just raise it up out of the way.



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Mike (WA)

01-21-2007 20:49:55




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 Re: Workshop Loft Ladder in reply to TomNTex, 01-21-2007 05:49:27  
I have one with a counterweight, and it works great. You can locate the counterweight anywhere you want, by using cables and pulleys. Best counterweight is a 20 gallon lube barrel with the top cut out, that you can add or remove weight to until you get it right (which is, ladder virtually the same weight as the counterwieght, so you can easily lift it up out of the way, and it will stay up). My stairway is 2 X 12's, with 2 X 12 steps- plenty husky.

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Jerry/MT

01-21-2007 20:37:13




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 Re: Workshop Loft Ladder in reply to TomNTex, 01-21-2007 05:49:27  
When I was a kid, my Dad built a ladder that was counterbalanced for the loft in the garage. He had a set of hinges on the edge of the loft that the ladder pivoted on, a couple of pulleys and an old sash weight for the counterweight. The ladder stored parallel to the ground but up in the air. When he wanted to use it, he'd lift the couterweight cable and lower it to the ground. When he was finished, he'd pull the ladder and up and the counterweight would lift it out of the way.

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earl Zingraf

01-21-2007 18:38:00




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 Re: Workshop Loft Ladder in reply to TomNTex, 01-21-2007 05:49:27  
I made a ladder from 2x8s and 1x6s, clamped w/ threaded rod to prevent the parellels from separating. I hinged it at the top w/ large heavy duty hinges, used a cable and window weights with pulleys to direct the cable to the top, and a 3 inch pvc pipe to allow the weights to slide inside. This allows you to add weights to raise the ladder with ease. Plus its cheap and you can make it as wide of treads as you like.

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jmixigo

01-21-2007 13:44:21




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 Re: Workshop Loft Ladder in reply to TomNTex, 01-21-2007 05:49:27  
Mite try a good attic pull down stair (like Werner's steel step unit), you all ready got a place to attach 3 corners to the upper floor joists. Just drill a hole in the roof perlin an drop a 3/4" all thread to support the fourth corner. Orta work an be right nice too.



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lenray

01-21-2007 12:33:45




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 Re: Workshop Loft Ladder in reply to TomNTex, 01-21-2007 05:49:27  
very nice setup



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Dave So

01-21-2007 11:40:32




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 Re: Workshop Loft Ladder in reply to TomNTex, 01-21-2007 05:49:27  
Thats the way I store my tools that way I can tell if something is missing . If someone decides
to steal my tools It's not as easy as grabbing the
tool box, he's gonna be there a while.



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Stumpalump

01-21-2007 08:55:11




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 Re: Workshop Loft Ladder in reply to TomNTex, 01-21-2007 05:49:27  
Imagine the ladder in the picture hinges on the landing. Down at the foot of the lader hook a rope that goes straigt up to a pully on the ceiling. Pull down on the bitter end of the rope to raise the ladder and tie it off to a small boat cleat (Wallmart) that you mount to the upright post. If you make a real stout heavy ladder add weight to the rope up high to help you pull the rope down and the ladder up. If you make it real heavy like stairs use a (wallmart) small boat trailer winch mounted on your post.

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Janicholson

01-21-2007 07:46:32




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 Re: Workshop Loft Ladder in reply to TomNTex, 01-21-2007 05:49:27  
Find a good 12' aluminum ladder, with no sliding parts or extensions, that has straight sides (parallel to one another)and flat, or "D" shaped foot treads would be best. Make a pare of holding pivot brackets for the porch end that allow the ladder to be pushed up through them. They would need to be twice as long as high so the rails glide nice. Put in limiters in the side rails to keep it from comming down beyond the correct angle. To store it put a hook bracket out near the support post and (after lifting it straight up for 36" or so) tipping it level and hooking it on the hook. JimN

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Jim in N M

01-21-2007 07:34:17




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 Re: Workshop Loft Ladder in reply to TomNTex, 01-21-2007 05:49:27  
I did one like yours,except I hung the posts from the ceiling,so I don't have any posts, Mine runs the whole 40 ft. of the shop.I figured I don't need a stairway cause the amt. of times I go up there I just use a "GOOD" ladder.Under mine I have all my tool boxes and work benches,welder,drill press. Also I mounted 8 ft.flor.lights on the bottom side. just my .02 cents. Jim in N M



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mud

01-21-2007 06:44:04




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 Re: Workshop Loft Ladder in reply to TomNTex, 01-21-2007 05:49:27  
Man what a nice work space.

Judging by what you have already built you don't need any stair advice. You'll get it figured out just fine.

Nice looking work Tom.

mud



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evielboweviel

01-21-2007 06:10:28




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 Re: Workshop Loft Ladder in reply to TomNTex, 01-21-2007 05:49:27  
build a conventional stairs with a header. hinge the header to the porch. get a rope block and tackle or a cheap 120vac electric hoist and hang it from the rafters. then when you want it down you lower the foot of the stairs down, and tie the rope out of the way. to raise it you hook the rope back up and raise it up level with the porch.
that is how I did it in an old barn at my first house. except it had a full second floor
Ron

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TomNTex

01-21-2007 06:03:05




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 Re: Workshop Loft Ladder in reply to TomNTex, 01-21-2007 05:49:27  
I thought about that but wondered how sturdy they are. I figure the wife will use this more than myself and I would like something pretty solid and wide because she will most likely have her hands full going up or down. I kind of had 10" Cee Perlin with a hand rail in mind but couldn't figure out how to make it work within sticking past the post.



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Kevin in OK

01-21-2007 05:53:54




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 Re: Workshop Loft Ladder in reply to TomNTex, 01-21-2007 05:49:27  
Wouldn't one of those regular attic ladders work? The ones that you pull down from the ceiling and unfold. Only problem is it takes up floor space in your loft, and may or may not work with the rafter spacing.

Kevin



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