How to Build a Ladder for a Bookshelf

Use your carpenter's square to measure a 45-degree angle in the middle of two of the 2-by-4 studs. Use a pencil to mark the angles on the studs, drawing the line from one side to the other. Use your saw to cut one stud along the line you drew. On the other 2-by-4 stud, cut the angles in the other direction. You now have four boards to serve as the sides of the ladder, two for the front and two for the back.

Mark off your remaining 2-by-4 stud in 1-foot sections using your tape measure and your pencil. The first measure should be about 16 inches, and this will serve as your top step. The remaining steps will be 12 inches. Use your saw to cut your steps.

Place your first two cut boards from the original studs side by side, a foot apart. Insert the 12-inch steps between the studs that serve as the side of the ladder. Affix them by drilling in your 2-inch wood screws, three on each side of the ladder for each step. Screw the steps in at a 45-degree angle to the studs that form the sides of the ladder.

Screw on the top step on the top of the ladder with 4 2-inch screws. This step should be centered on top.

Affix the other studs with the opposing angle to the top step with your door hinges. Screw the door hinges to the top of the rear studs and the back of the main studs so you can either fold or open the ladder.

Screw in two more 12-inch steps on the back of the ladder to provide sturdy support for the ladder. You will not climb on the back steps; these serve only to support the ladder when you climb it.

Attach the 12-inch ladder support hinges at the middle of the ladder, on the outside section of each side, by drilling in the screws. The ladder support hinges will allow the ladder to extend up to 12 inches and fold back for storage.