Bamboo Ladder

Create a stylish look for your bathroom or living area with an easy to make, multi-functional bamboo ladder. (Note: This ladder is purely for decorative purposes only. Do not use for climbing.)

You will need

• 2 bamboo poles - 50mm x 2000mm
• 1 bamboo pole - 30mm x 2000mm
• 32m natural sisal/twine
• steel wool
• saw
• sandpaper
• stanley knife
• hot glue gun

Assembly

1. Rub bamboo poles with steel wool to remove any dirt or waxy residue.
2. Cut the 30mm pole into 4 lengths: 1 x 450mm, 2 x 500mm and 1 x 550mm. (Tip: secure the bamboo with a clamp and rotate it often when sawing to prevent splintering.)
3. The main frame for the ladder is formed using the 50mm poles. The distance between the poles should be 400mm at the base and 200mm at the top. Clamp the poles into place, then mark and position the rungs.
4. Mark the position of the first rung at 500mm from the bottom of the frame. Mark the position of the second rung at 400mm from the first. The third rung should be 400mm from the second and the fourth should be 400mm from the third.
5. Use the hot glue gun to attach the rungs. (Tip: attach one rung at a time, so that the glue is fresh and hot for each rung.)
6. Cut the sisal/twine into 8 x 4 metre lengths.
7. Stick the twine to the back of the uprights using a dab of hot glue. Once dry (about 10 minutes), wrap the twine in a diagonal fashion around the rung joins for a decorative look. Finish it off with another dab of hot glue.

Costs

• Bamboo poles are available from garden centres and bamboo retailers. We paid $6.25 for the 30mm x 2000mm pole, and $12.10 each for the 50mm x 2000mm poles.
  
• Natural sisal rope costs around $8 for a 32m reel, from hardware stores.

Copyright 2008 CTC Productions