Traction?  Add CatTongue grip tape to the bottom of your shoes and you'll have traction wherever you step!

The shop I taught in decided to paint texture grip paint to areas around tools where you wouldn't want to slip while using the tool.  Did the job, but also made sweeping the floors much more irritating,  I never had a slipping problem using them but then I always wore shoes with a good grippy sole.   

Ok,  here we go....

Slimmed down leg braces...

More to "scale" with the small ladder...

Metal working..

These 2 locking braces need drilled for the bolts, set a new drill bit into the slowed down drill press...had to use a corded drill to run the forstner bit to recess a few washers..

Had to make sure they were the right-side up, and that they folded up nicely...

A dab of Blue Thread Locker before the nuts were installed...

Seems to work....set this down on the shop floor, and step up onto the lower 2 steps...with my full 230 pounds....not even a sound was heard...

 

Witch's Brew for a finish...have to decide where to use the Branding iron....maybe a block plane to ease the sharp corners? 

Stay tuned...

Ok...here ya go....one coat of Witch's Brew..

Then a view of the side...

Then a look around to the back...( enjoy the shop views?)

A view of it sitting on the shop floor...

Has been "tested" up to 235 pounds.....yep, I stood on it...

 

Will get the branding iron plugged in after a run to Wall E World for the Boss....brand is going on the top step....

Bandit. Very unique and cool project. Quite useful too.

Edited February 9, 20233 yr by Grandpadave52

Looks like one of those back legs floats.  I call that a great feature.  When the other back leg wears down to the height of the short leg the users have likely gained weight and now having 4 legs the ladder will still be plenty strong!

 

BTW you've done a great job.  Love the final look!

Had one of the folding braces in bass-ackwards....have fixed that, now....wasn't letting the one leg go all the way out...

 

Branding iron is NOW heating up....have 2 items that need the brand...

A super project there Steven, two thumbs up!

Nice little step ladder, Steve, As with everything you build, it looks darned sturdy and quite serviceable.

23 hours ago, steven newman said:

Had one of the folding braces in bass-ackwards....have fixed that, now....wasn't letting the one leg go all the way out...

 

Branding iron is NOW heating up....have 2 items that need the brand...

Hey Steve, before you put the branding iron to it you have to send it to me so that I can test it for safety.   Looks like a really handy ladder.

I'm a little late to the dance, but I love the way it turned out, Steven! As for the possible problem with the back braces being used as steps, there is an easy solution. Instead of two bars across, use a couple of thinner pieces to form an X and VOILA! Nowhere to put one's feet.

Edited February 10, 20233 yr by HARO50

Great looking little step ladder you got there.  Looks like a fun little project.