Jig for making the side-parts of ladders

During my building log made for the Triton-section I made this introduction of this small jig
for the cutting of the notches in similiar distance and the same angle in the side-parts of ladders
( http://modelshipworld.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1543&postdays=0&postorder=asc&&start=90 ).

I was asked to copy this post in this area for "Tips and Tricks" for later easier search and find.
So for the members who are following my Building log it is not new, for everybody else please have a look.

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The idea for this jig I learned from Zeljko and it is helping to get every time the same angles
and the same distances of the notches for the steps in the side parts of the ladders!

I think that the photos are explaining a jig or a tool much better than words (especially when they are coming from myself),
therefore I made some more photos to show the principle of this jig and explain with words the most important things.

This is the mentioned jig with some prepared side elements for the different ladders necessary for the Section.
On the left in addition some prepared steps and also once more the gratings.
The visible "diagonal" small notches in the upper part of the jig are prepared for the two 70° Gangway ladders
and the "diagonals" in the bottom part for preparation of the side elements of the 51° Forward Hatch ladder.
In the middle from the bottom to the top you see a bigger (and deeper) notch ("main notch" for later explanations)
for the side elements, which has exactly the same width like the side element by itself.

This temporary with four nails installed small timber on the top is important to get the same distance
between the steps and it is additional helping as a guide for the handsaw.

As an example some side elements of the Forward Hatch ladder in the jig, once the left side- and once the right side-element.

The jig "in action"..........
......put the side element in the main notch....
.............with the hand-saw carefully cutting the notch in the side element........
.........shifting the side element until you see the first cut notch at the other side of the guidance-timber.......
.....cutting the next notch.......

If the main notch is not prepared too deep,
or the side elements of the ladder have a bigger strength than the depth of the main notch,
than it is possible (and very helpful) to use a steel-plate or similar to fix the side elements in addition.
Usually it is enough to fix the side element during the sawing with some pressure with fingers against the jig.

If there are some questions, remarks, comments or also ideas of improvement ..............please post them Very Happy

if you have other jigs or ways of making the ladders-side elements.........please post them also Idea

Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 4:15 pm • Post subject:

Great jig, Uwe!!!

Building the ladders was one area that gave me a fit on my AVS. I'm definitely going to use this for my future ladders.

Thank You!