How to Build Ladder Jacks

Cutting Parts

• 1

  Cut two pieces of heavy duty C channel stock to fit over your ladder rungs snugly. Typically a 2-inch-wide channel works well. Use a hacksaw to cut your stock to one-fourth-inch less than the inside width of the ladder rung.

• 2

  Measure and cut a piece of perforated 2-inch angle steel the same length as the C channel. Spot weld the piece to one edge of the C channel, so that one angle is flat against the edge of the channel, while the other extends out, even with the flat top of the C channel. If you do not weld, cut your pieces and hire a welder to assemble them.

• 3

  Cut two pieces of perforated 2-inch angle 12 inches long with square ends. Cut two as long as the space from the top of one rung on your ladder to the bottom of the next rung below with square ends. Use a hacksaw to cut the pieces.

Assembly and Usage

• 4

  Bolt the two pieces of angle together to form an L, using a one-quarter-inch thick by one-half-inch long bolt, with a washer and nut on the inside of the joint. Fit this L to the angle you welded to the C channel and bolt them together with a bolt down through the end hole of the welded angle, so that one leg of the L extends out flush with the top of the C channel. Repeat this at the other end.

• 5

  Measure the diagonal distance across the L from the open end of one angle to the open end of the other. Mark a piece of flat perforated stock at least one-eighths-inch thick to that length and use a rafter square to mark the ends at 45 degrees. Cut two of these for each jack with the hacksaw.

• 6

  Bolt the flat strap on the outside of the L diagonally between the two pieces, so that the 45-degree ends are flush with the edges of the angle to create a triangle.

• 7

  Set your jack on the ladder at the desired height, so that the flat face of the C channel is on top of the rung, and one leg of the L extends down to rest against the face of the rung below. The other leg of the L extends out. Position a second jack at the same height on a second ladder.

• 8

  Place a piece of 2-inch-by-10-inch lumber on the shelf created by the two brackets. Drive 1 1/4-inch screws up through the holes in the perforated angle into the bottom of the board to attach it securely.