How to Install a Rope Ladder for Kids in the House
A rope ladder is the traditional method of ascending up into a tree house, and also can be utilized indoors to add a unique flair to a room. If your child's bedroom contains a loft, for example, installing a rope ladder is an inexpensive way to provide a splash of originality that your child will also enjoy using. Secured in place by bowline hitches, the ropes making up the ladder can support the weight of an adult, ensuring the ladder doesn't come undone mid-use.
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Instructions
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Hanging and Tying a Rope Ladder
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1
Drill pilot holes in the wall or beam you will be securing the top of the rope ladder to, as far apart as you want the two sides of the ladder to be. If securing to a wall, use a stud finder to locate a stud for each bolt.
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2
Screw an eye bolt into each pilot hole.
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3
Secure one section of rope to each bolt with a bowline hitch.
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4
Bend the right section of rope over so it crosses in front of the left section at the point you want your first rung. Both loose ends are now on the left, with a horizontal section of the right rope at the point of your first rung.
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5
Bend the end of the rope which began on the right back to the right until the loose end of rope is hanging down directly beneath the right eye bolt again. The right rope now is hanging with its loose end beneath where it is secured, but has a folded section of rope stretching out in front of the left rope at the point of your first rung.
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6
Bend the right-hanging rope to the left and in front of the left-hanging rope a second time. You will have bent the right rope into an S-shape at the point of your first rung, creating three horizontal sections of the right rope where it was bent to the left, then back to the right, then finally to the left a second time. The right-hanging rope is back again over on the left side, with both strands hanging down that side.
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7
Weave the left rope in front of the top horizontal section of the right rope, behind the middle section. and in front of the bottom section. The left rope will thus pass through the top bend of the S-shape formed with the right rope, then over the lower horizontal section of the S-shape.
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8
Wrap the left end of rope around all three horizontal sections of the right rope repeatedly, creating a tight coil across the length of the rung. Continue wrapping until the coil reaches over to the lower bend of the S-shape.
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9
Tuck the left end of rope through the lower bend. The two ends of rope will have switched sides, with the rope end starting on the left now moving to the right and vice-versa.
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10
Repeat the tying to create the rungs of your ladder, using the rope hanging on the right to form the S-shape, and the rope end hanging under the left eye bolt to wrap.
Tying a Bowline Hitch to an Eye Bolt
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11
Create a small loop in the rope approximately 1 foot from the end of the rope.
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12
Thread the loose end through the eye bolt.
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13
Pass the loose end through the small loop.
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14
Wrap the loose end behind the main body of the rope beneath the small loop.
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15
Pass the loose end back through the small loop and pull down on the body while pulling up on the loose end to tighten the bowline hitch.
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References
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