Ships Ladder to Loft

[GeorgeM]

Now that makes good sense. I agree with the idea of preventing the heel catch.

My garage is is much taller, 8 ft. door and 3 feet above that, so a step ladder is not tall enough to access the upper level, so I have a folding type on springs to pull it back into the ceiling

GeorgeM

[thunderbirdbat]

If I recall correctly, all the ladders on the ships I was on only had about 4" of tread. Most of the sailors used their hands to slide down the handrails instead of going down the ladder. Some of the sailors would grab the lip of the opening for the ladder and jump clear of the ladder bottom. I only saw a few small children go down one backwards in all my years on ships. Just a heads up as to what some people did so you know what the "dumb grandkids" may do. The shipboard handrails were removable to allow large items to be passed up or down the ladder openings. In some areas it was even possible to take the steps down and use a block and tackle to move heavy items up or down. Although for lower storerooms the ladders had covers to go over the treads to turn it into a slide for the items.

[TomHoffman]

Earlier I made reference to a similar ladder in my garage. Made the same way up to a 9' ceiling opening. It is 5' wide made out of 2X6's it is raised and lowered by a cheap harbor freight electric winch up in the attic. Works great.

Brenda, My ladder is a compromise with a bigger tread and a steeper rise. I realize dumb grandkids do stupid things, that is why I made this the way I did. Hopefully adults will do it the right way. I remember sliding down the Hand rails on my hands and heels hooked over them too. I was on the USS Austin... Marine Expeditionary Force.

Tom...