instructables

DIY Ladder Shelf

by Woodness Goodness

My friend asked for a "Ladder Shelf". I had never made one before so I whipped this up. It's very easy to make and
it cost less than $15! 2x4's and pallet wood is all it took.

I would recommend securing it to the wall with an "L bracket" on the top shelf to keep it from falling down. Feel free
to put some pads on the ladder to keep it from scratching your floor.

All you need is:

Three 2x4's
One Pallet
White Paint
Danish Oil
Screws/Glue/Nailgun

Costs around $15 and can sell for $500 ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7eYboy-leQ

DIY Ladder Shelf: Page 1

Step 1: Cut Ladder Uprights

Get two straight 2x4's

I cut my first one to 80" to make it more manageable while finding the angle I wanted
Lean it up against a flat wall/surface to decide what kind of angle you want
I decided on 10 degrees
Cut both top and bottom at same angle so they are parallel with each other
Stencil your cut 2x4 to the other 2x4 so they match
Square off your 2x4's lengthwise (optional) on the table saw

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Step 2: Prepare Shelf Supports

Measure out your ladder uprights and decide on how many shelves you'd like
Square off another 2x4 on either edge
Cut the same 2x4 right down the middle
These two pieces will be cut up into your shelf supports

NOTES

I went with 5 shelves

The bottom shelf is 8" from the bottom
The rest of the shelves are spaced out 16" from one another

DIY Ladder Shelf: Page 3

Step 3: Cut Shelf Supports

Measure out your desired shelf depths

You want all the shelves to touch the wall to provide maximum strength and support
I started with the bottom shelf supports at 14", followed by supports cut at 12", 10", 8" and 6"
You need two supports at each length
Cut them all to length
Sand all sides

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Step 4: Prepare Pallet Shelves

Aquire a pallet
Flooring, tile and hardware stores all have free pallets!
Cut along each end pallet support along the inside
Remove each board using a hammer and crowbar
USE EYE AND EAR PROTECTION
Remove all nails with hammer/crowbar/grinder
Cut each board at 18" (or desired shelf width)
Use a stop block for fast cuts
Sand down shelf pieces
Apply Danish Oil (or a finish of your choice)

DIY Ladder Shelf: Page 5

DIY Ladder Shelf: Page 6
Step 5: Mount Shelf Supports

Use a piece of wood as a jig to square up your ladder uprights to a flat surface
The jig acts as a floor to your wall (flat surface, in my case workbench)
Screw one upright into jig to hold square to flat surface
Make sure the 10-degree cut is flush to jig
Line up your shelf supports and make sure they all have the same overhang (2")
Pre-drill where you want them
Glue and screw in place
Use the same measurements on your second ladder upright
MAKE SURE THE SECOND UPRIGHT IS FACING CORRECT WAY
You will be creating a mirror image with your second upright
See final image and watch video to see what I'm talking about!

NOTES

I went with 5 shelves

The bottom shelf is 8" from the bottom
The rest of the shelves are spaced out 16" from one another

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Step 6: Paint Ladder

Paint ladder white

I used a nice white latex paint from Lowes
White spray paint also works very well
Do more coats as needed

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Step 7: Put Together

Get your painted ladder uprights ready!

Get your pallet shelves ready!
Lay ladder uprights on level/flat surface for easy mounting
Start with the bottom making sure everything is square and straight
Use nail gun and glue (a screw gun would also work)
Work your way to the top continuing to keep it straight and square
Rip cut pallet shelves if too wide
She done!

DIY Ladder Shelf: Page 9

Step 8: Enjoy!

Set it up somewhere awesome!

Put some felt pads underneath the uprights to protect your floor
SAFETY - MOUNT AN L BRACKET TO WALL AND LADDER TO INSURE NO CRASHING
I didn't show this in the video but I would recommend as you might have kids, cats, and ninjas!
Enjoy!

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