Upper Deck #1: Ledger

It’s a good idea to put a deck there, otherwise that door becomes a bit of a health hazard. ;-)

Your “outdoor” projects are always interesting. They require a certain amount of engineering that escapes me. I’m always intimidated by structural projects.

Nice work with the siding. It looks like the ledger has been there all along.

-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.

I agree with Russel. Sure looks good. Waiting for the next step(s)

-- Gary, DeKalb Texas

Tks Russel.

Gonna start more work this weekend Gary.

I have heard these types of doors nicknamed as “mother-in-law” doors. Im not sure if it prevents them from entering or if you hope they will use it when leaving. :-)

-- The significant problems we face cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them

I normally wouldn’t post this but having first had experience gives me somewhat of an opinion.

Please don’t place the ladder at such an “open” angle unless you have someone blocking the feet. Although the ladder seems stable, it can slide out from under you.

There is this humorous story about a ladder, some Christmas decorations and an afternoon in the Emergency Room. Fortunately for me, my youth and cat like reflexes allow me to use my face to break my fall into the shrubs that surround the house.

I completely agree with lew. The angle of that ladder is quite dangerous. The force downward your body creates grows geometrically as you move up the ladder. To establish a safe ladder angle a good rule of thumb is to hold the ladder vertical close to your body. Grab the rung that is nearest to the height of your shoulder. Now extend your arms out while hanging on to the ladder. The ladder ends up at the angle of the hypotenuse of a triangle of your arms and the distance from your shoulder to your feet. This angle should be safe.

-- criticism: the art of analyzing and evaluating the quality of a artistic work...

Looks like a fun project. I would keep that Door locked in the mean tiime. WOW.

-- Hope Never fails

Without the stand off arms I would have not even considered the angle. Lew . . . You cant see from the picks, but the feet of the ladder are into the edge of the flowerbed into the ground . . . effectively blocking the feet like you suggested. I did not have many options on how to place the ladder . . . so I made the option I did have as safe as possible.

Tks for the tip jlssmith5963.

-- The significant problems we face cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them

Zuki please read padre thread about ladders i think you will change your working pratice of working up a ladder without anyone footing the thing …....

but looking good and i like the mother-in-law gag if only it were true with mine lol…...

-- cut it saw it scrap it

I just read his posting Pommy . . . ouch. I originally missed it . . . tks for letting me know.

I will be going back up this weekend, however I will be adding additional safety measures.

-- The significant problems we face cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them

hey Zuki
Looks Like a good start. You could save yourself a lot of time and money if you just put some hooks with parachutes on the in side the door. LOL

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

what CAN’T the two of you do?? !!!

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)