Need advise on making a 'metal' ladder

Guys... I need help. I want to make some metal ladders for my Collapsible Building. The idea is to have a metal ladder (or staircase) which can be removed from the 2nd floor. I would then make a space on the base for 'storing' the ladder in transport.

Need advise on making this 'metal' ladder. It should be easy to build and sturdy (I plan to use it to reinforce the 'weak' floor). I should NOT need to weld stuff. I would not like to use wood, but I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hmmm. An interesting challenge. Sometimes I build ladders out of 1/8" balsa wood. They are not too sturdy though.

One way you could do it is to build a removable staircase. Build a triangle shape with the top cut off (out of foamcore) that sits partially beneath the floor above it with the stairs inset into it.

I want to be able to 'stick' the ladder on the base (I will put holes there) so I could end up with the ladder firmly based on the floor (either straight up or at an angle). The top of the ladder would end up under the 2nd story (weak) floor, so it reinforces it without having to attach it. That is why I need it to be made out of metal.

Have you thought about lollipop sticks?

That is a thought... but I would like a metal structure.

What do you exactly mean with that? Does it the material you are going to use have to be metal? Or do you want to make it look like metal? Because if it's latter one you could use lollipop sticks of various sizes and shove them over eachother. That way it'll look pneumatic. (like a piston I mean)

I would like a 'metal' ladder... but I don't want to spend lots of time making a wood or cardboard structure look metal. LAZY!

Maybe you might try to make similarily to this handrail:

(taken from terragenesis.co.uk; made by bugbaitnz)


I am not sure but you may check bugbaits thread:
Bugbaits random 40k terrain thread

Hope that helps

Yes...!!! How he did that? You have a link for the thread? The one provided is for the image.

Oh, my bad... I guess I had a wrong URL in copybox Here is the correct one: LINK

The pic I posted is from page 10, but he uses similar thing on other of his buildings.

I think is some kind of steel mesh and I believe it can be quite sturdy - so usable as support. Well, check the thread and maybe you'll find more

If you want to build out of metal, but can't be bothered to learn to weld (lazy), then try JB Weld. You can find it at any hardware store here in the States and we use it on occasion around the plant where I work when we need a good strong bond for metal. It is an epoxy so it can be a pain, but it's basically as hard as metal when it dries.

http://users.stratuswave.net/~wd8jik/lad/ladders.htm

Link on ladders and such, and a really nice walkthrough on almost everything else, one step out.

ClausLars: Not that I'm lazy... but I have a budget of $0.00! Your idea is also good... I will keep it in mind once I get some money for this.

Komfritten: Hmmm... that is actually something I was thinking about last night, but could not 'see' it done. WOW! It is really helpful. THANKS!

Yeah, I didn't actually check the price when I posted the link. You'd get a lot of use out of one set of tubes, but still six bucks for fancy glue is pricey. It does work on other materials too though.

Komfritten's link seems pretty win to me though. Most of the hard work of welding/epoxying is already taken care of, for a fraction of the cost.

Seems like you already have plenty of great ideas to work with Mord. Another option (though not a $0.00 budget one) is to use plasticard tubing/strips (you can get H and I bars, circular tubes, square tubes etc in a variety of sizes) - it would be very easy to make a variety of types of ladder and plenty sturdy enough to support a level or two - plus you would only need plastic glue and painting is easy.

Cheers Laney:D

Most model shops (the model railway types rather than wargaming) seem to have this stuff in abundance.