Rolling Stairs/Ladder plans(?)

[Daubs]

My 40'x30' Shop has a 16'x16' garage door and tall ceiling. I'm planning to build shelves 8' from ground around perimeter, and possibly a larger "level" in back part.

Goal is to keep things off the floor / optimize space.

Brother suggested I get a rolling staircase / ladder, something like you see in big-box-store.

View media item 85724
I've been nosing around Craigslist but nothing around these parts. And new rolling stairs are pricey.

Thinking of building my own out of wood and putting these on

https://www.amazon.com/Workbench-Caster-Kit-4-Pack/dp/B005W0UWCY

Thoughs? Suggestions?

 

[cjcocn]

Would it be feasible to instead build a ladder that hooks onto a rail on the shelving?

It would be less obtrusive and easier to store out of the way.

I think libraries use them - or used to use them.

 

[Daubs]

Would it be feasible to instead build a ladder that hooks onto a rail on the shelving?

It would be less obtrusive and easier to store out of the way.

I think libraries use them - or used to use them.

Yes, I've thought of that. But I would prefer a staircase.

I had shelving in my old house, and I have this nasty habit of storing heavy things on the shelves (imagine me balancing a single stage snow blower as I climb up a ladder!).

I'm 50 years old now and the balance ain't what it used to be.

Yes, I know having a rolling staircase would take up space, but it would be offset by the space I could save by getting more stuff off the floor.

Think waterfowl decoys, kayaks, dog crates, large coolers, cylinder heads, fender from my 72 K-20 pickup, etc.

 

[cjcocn]

Yes, I've thought of that. But I would prefer a staircase.

I had shelving in my old house, and I have this nasty habit of storing heavy things on the shelves (imagine me balancing a single stage snow blower as I climb up a ladder!).

I'm 50 years old now and the balance ain't what it used to be.

Yes, I know having a rolling staircase would take up space, but it would be offset by the space I could save by getting more stuff off the floor.

Think waterfowl decoys, kayaks, dog crates, large coolers, cylinder heads, fender from my 72 K-20 pickup, etc.

lol .... yeah you shouldn't take my advice on this one - your staircase idea is much more secure and better suited for your needs!

I wonder if it would be possible to build a deck that rides on the staircase rails and has dropping hooks to prevent rollback?

Basically just a frame with rollers that sits inside your staircase and can be used for hauling up heavy items.

The dropping hooks (like the kind on my adjustable aluminum ladder) would automatically lift over the staircase stops, then drop back down to prevent rollback.

Thinking about it, a person would pretty much have to go up first and pull the load towards them (one safety stop at a time). Otherwise they wouldn't be able to get past the load and move it from the ladder to the shelf.

....... I'd better get to building something again ..... I'm overthinking your project.

 

[Garett]

I've been keeping my eye out for the right height fixed roller stairs for my shop.

Check for stores going out of business, auctions, liquidation stores. In my area there is also a warehouse that sells new and used storage racking and these.

You have the height to build a full walk around mezzanine, seen this in condos before. Very cool.

 

[cvairwerks]

Daubs: We've got those style rolling ladders at work, and they **** big ones. The top step is the same size as the other steps, and the safety crossbar at the top prevents you from standing on the top step unless you hang the back half of your feet off of it. If you are going to build something, copy either this style : http://www.industrialmaintenanceplatforms.com/cantilever-rolling-ladder.html

or the layout like a military B-1 stand. You don't have to make it go up and down, but the step spacing and the platform area are well done for moving heavier stuff up and down.

 

[Daubs]

Daubs: We've got those style rolling ladders at work, and they **** big ones. The top step is the same size as the other steps, and the safety crossbar at the top prevents you from standing on the top step unless you hang the back half of your feet off of it. If you are going to build something, copy either this style : http://www.industrialmaintenanceplatforms.com/cantilever-rolling-ladder.html

or the layout like a military B-1 stand. You don't have to make it go up and down, but the step spacing and the platform area are well done for moving heavier stuff up and down.

Good ideas, THANKS!

 

[Daubs]

Garett: Yes, that is the word I was looking for, mezzanine

Here is an example. Now envision shelf wrapping around entire Shop and connected to the mezzanine. And a rolling staircase to access any area quickly and easily.

View media item 85727

 

[fasteddie]

I'll let you in on a secret. You know how it's almost impossible to find a sales associate at HD or Lowes when you need one? Just set one foot on one of those rolling ladders, they will come running from all directions to yell at you. Works every time.

 

[bad_idea]

Tangent. Sorry.

Last thing I bought from Lowe's was a framing nailer. The display was at eye level, but all of the nailers were ~12 up on the pallet racking. Push the button for help. No one comes. In the next bay over, maybe 10' away was the extension ladder display. Grabbed a ladder, grabbed the nailer. Associate never did come.

AS far as your rolling ladder - if you build it of wood, screw and glue every joint. Just screws will make it wobbly.

 

[Daubs]

AS far as your rolling ladder - if you build it of wood, screw and glue every joint. Just screws will make it wobbly.

Good advice. I almost never glue anything...just lots and lots of screws.

 

[rlitman]

...imagine me balancing a single stage snow blower as I climb up a ladder!...

I keep my two stage snowblower in my garage loft, and I have an attic ladder. But the ladder is just for me to go up and down. Anything else gets lifted by the hoist.

You can run a length of Unistrut along the edge, and using a 600lb rated Unistrut trolley, hang an electric hoist from that.

In my case, the Unistrut runs perpendicular to the loft edge, so I can lift heavy things, roll the trolley, and set them down on the loft or the floor.

 

[vavet]

We have one at work. Top step is just under 6 feet. The top step is more of a platform. I borrowed it for a few weeks to do some security camera installation in my garage. They're pretty handy. I hate ladders.
I'm getting ready to insulate and drywall my garage. The one we have is not quite tall enough to do that comfortably. The bottom of the trusses are 12.5 feet and I'm 5'11", so I'm at the top of my reach.
I found some bakers rolling scaffolding on CL over the weekend. The seller had two sets with wheels and safety railing for $250. I jumped on it.
Seems like they usually got for $100-150 per set and the safety railing is extra.

 

[lis2323]

If you can be patient, wait for a used one to come up. IMHO no matter how nice you build one it will never be as good as a manufactured one.

Plus at the end of the day you will get your money back (if purchased used) versus having to GIVE away a homemade one.

Here’s mine:

 

[Bretny]

Why not build a library style ladder? Always secure and takes up less space.

 

[Farmerjonathan]

If that is your shop in the picture, I would keep the stairs and build an elevator or put an electric winch up there to haul things up. A winch on an I beam could pull things up, slide them over the second story floor and lower.

 

[lis2323]

Why not build a library style ladder? Always secure and takes up less space.

Hard to carry things up a library style ladder. A step ladder would be safer.


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[lis2323]

Delete. Sorry


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[Daubs]

lis2323: yes, I'll keep my eyes open for a manufactured one. Wife and I have been looking for acreage for a while...I plan on staying here until I die : ) So having a rolling stairs much better than ladder as I grow older.

rlitman: Unistrut is a good idea. Only downside is I plan on ringing three sides of the Shop with shelf and mezzanine, so in my crazy mind, a rolling ladder would give me access to all of it.

Farmerjonathan: that's not my shop. This is mine. I'm thinking mezzanine last 10' of shop, then a shelf running both walls towards front of building.

View media item 85728

 

[Toolfool]

Boeing surplus.

 

[rlitman]

...rlitman: Unistrut is a good idea. Only downside is I plan on ringing three sides of the Shop with shelf and mezzanine, so in my crazy mind, a rolling ladder would give me access to all of it...

Unistrut isn't the only trolley system out there. You could get a track that curves around the two corners. Like a butcher's rail:
http://www.meathookus.com/

 

[Daubs]

Unistrut isn't the only trolley system out there. You could get a track that curves around the two corners. Like a butcher's rail:
http://www.meathookus.com/

Oh, that stuff looks very, VERY familiar. I worked in a South Omaha beef slaughter plant summers when I was in college. Made great $$$.

Tough job.

50-60 hours a week.

Remember the smell!

D.

 

[lis2323]

I'll let you in on a secret. You know how it's almost impossible to find a sales associate at HD or Lowes when you need one? Just set one foot on one of those rolling ladders, they will come running from all directions to yell at you. Works every time.

[emoji23]That’s pretty much the ONLY way you ever find a sales associate. Don’t get me started.....

 

[kbs2244]

I like your plans.
And your idea for rolling ladder.

But there is no need for a DIY one.
They are just too common

I don't know where in NB you are, but I am sure you are used to long drives.

Widen out you CL circle, find commercial equipment dealers, local school and gov surplus auctions, etc.

They do take up space and are often "removed from service" for that reason.
My shop is nowhere near your size, and that is the only reason I do not have one.

But if you set aside a reserved parking space for one you will be happy for a long time.

 

[bsg]

Here’s a source for some rolling ladders, might be worth a road trip?

https://hgrinc.com/?all=1&view&aisl...rs&per_page=120&min_price&max_price&pn=1&slug

Kevin

 

[Kaizen]

I wouldn’t try to make a stand alone ladder out of wood without using large pieces and some tight joinery (half laps and mortise and tenons) at every joint. A normal stair stringer is only strong because it ties into something. I will be doing something similar to store bulky items. Thinking of the stairs from a rolling ladder running on a library ladder type setup. Benefits of stairs but easily moved out of the way. Was trying to figure a lifting mechanism like a platform on a winch that also moves but never got far


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[rlitman]

I wouldn’t try to make a stand alone ladder out of wood without using large pieces and some tight joinery (half laps and mortise and tenons) at every joint. A normal stair stringer is only strong because it ties into something...

Ladders aren't that complicated. The treads fit into a dado on the sides, and you use steel ties to hold the sides together.

A mortise and tenon doesn't buy you that much extra strength (actually, removing more wood from the sides makes the ladder weaker), for a lot of extra work, and still requires the cross ties.

I recently built a library ladder, but I used cast aluminum treads. It's much less work.

 

[Mr. Foully]

Real warehouses use rolling platform ladders because they're safe & easy to use. If it's manuverable, you'll use it more. It shouldn't be a chore for you to access all that space. If you build your own, wood won't come close to steel's strength/weight, so you'll wind up with a heavier, clumsier piece. I've found several on CL, just be patient.

 

[rlitman]

...If you build your own, wood won't come close to steel's strength/weight, so you'll wind up with a heavier, clumsier piece...

Wood has a higher specific strength than the mild steel these rolling ladders are made from.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Specific_strength

Now if you were comparing against aluminum, you'd have a fair argument, but a wood ladder can easily be stronger than a steel one, and also weigh less.

 

[bad_idea]

Heres an idea: Make the shelves on the sides of the mezzanine deep enough to have a walkway and a hand rail. Put a staircase up to the mezzanine, then walk from the mezzanine to the shelves on each side. Will be a little more costly to build, but will be so much easier to utilize for years to come. Shouldnt impact the shop space below any more than the shelves.

 

[ezover]

sadly I see them getting tossed in the metal recycle bin quite often, sometimes 3 or 4 at a time and not a dam thing I can do to get one.

 

[bugnut]

Awhile back was picking up parts for a project. Gentlemen, older than me, had a harbor freight lift and a 4x44 platform that he used to move things up and down from his loft. He had a pull down aluminum attic staircase that he used for himself. I followed up by installing an aluminum attic staircase in my outbldg giving me access to the "loft" over the office area.

 

[Kaizen]

Ladders aren't that complicated. The treads fit into a dado on the sides, and you use steel ties to hold the sides together.



A mortise and tenon doesn't buy you that much extra strength (actually, removing more wood from the sides makes the ladder weaker), for a lot of extra work, and still requires the cross ties.



I recently built a library ladder, but I used cast aluminum treads. It's much less work.

Op is talking about a stand alone rolling ladder. So it has to be balanced with him at the top. It as easy as making a stair or ladder. Mortises would be for the upright posts to attach to the rolling structure. I wouldn’t want op to just screw it together. Has to have locking wood to wood joints with haplaps to keep it from racking.
I would not try and build a wood one.


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[rlitman]

...I wouldn’t want op to just screw it together. Has to have locking wood to wood joints with haplaps to keep it from racking...

That was kind of my point. I wouldn't trust pure wood construction for a ladder. Yes, you can come up with smart ways to join it, but I prefer to put my faith in metal to metal connections for this.

This is what I was talking about:
http://www.rockler.com/rockler-vintage-library-ladder-steps

These treads not only hold the sides together, but also take care of the racking issue. But they're pretty pricey for shop use. They're more of a fine furniture grade.

 

[lis2323]

That was kind of my point. I wouldn't trust pure wood construction for a ladder. Yes, you can come up with smart ways to join it, but I prefer to put my faith in metal to metal connections for this.



This is what I was talking about:

http://www.rockler.com/rockler-vintage-library-ladder-steps



These treads not only hold the sides together, but also take care of the racking issue. But they're pretty pricey for shop use. They're more of a fine furniture grade.

Wow. Those are nice. Would make an awesome ladder for my library... if I had one...and I could read....


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[rlitman]

Wow. Those are nice. Would make an awesome ladder for my library... if I had one...and I could read....

Time to start a pop up picture book library with a Where's Waldo section.

Yeah, they're quite easy on the eyes. And were a huge time saver when I built my younger one a loft bed last year. The treads come with barrel nuts that are sized to go with the 3/4" wood sides in their wood kits. But since I made my own with 5/4 clear pine, I had to countersink them to use the included hardware.

The brackets that attach the ladder to the bed rail were custom welded from 1/8" steel.

 

[akdiesel]

I use both my library ladder and my rolling ladder quite often in my shop.
The library ladder to access my upper cabinets or upper storage areas above the cabinets and the the wood storage.
I use the rolling ladder to access upper areas that are not associated with the bench area.
I will agree that a library ladder can be more unstable when carrying heavy loads, but if the treads are deep enough you will have a more stable platform just like a normal stair tread design of 11”. You will need to secure the rollers on the bottom but it could be as simple as the rolling stairs spring and caster design stop applied to a library ladder also.
You can scroll down to the lower section of my page and see the set up.
I’m a big fan of Unistrut with its strength and it’s customizing options.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=171590&page=10