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Homemade Ladder Spreader Bars

Original Post
peter coe · · utah · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 425

I wanted to share my version of homemade spreader bars for my Misty Mountain Ladders. I love Misty Mountain stuff, but spreader bars are very helpful.

I found these parts at Lowe's. Its an 3/4 open ended PVC T with 3/4 threads. I used a 3" nipple which was the right size for my hands. I chose to use a bungie to attache them to the ladders so I could remove them if I ever wanted to.

All in all I spent $9 (including the Gatorade).

spreader bar

spreader bar

spreader bar

Jon H · · PC, UT · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 118

This is pretty slick. The only downside is if you ever use the spreader bar as a handle/pull loop you'll rip it right off the aider and probably fall.

There's gotta be a more secure way of attaching the PVC.

Mark Hudon · · Lives on the road · Joined Jul 2009 · Points: 420

You are certainly going to want them attached more securely.

peter coe · · utah · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 425

My thoughts were that the handle loop and the top step would provide the secure handle rather then the spreader bar.

Moof · · Portland, OR · Joined Dec 2007 · Points: 25

For the ladders I made I used 1/2" PVC cut to about 5" long with a piece of 9/16" webbing going through.

I used an old soldering iron to melt a couple holes in the webbing, and drilled holes 1/2" from the ends of the tube (best to use the holes in the PVC to mark the webbing for its holes). I then used some pop rivets with some washers (fit is critical, need to be a little over sized to the rivet body, but I forget the size)) to weld it all together.

Some sewing with #69 nylon thread securely attached the spreader to the ladder. The spreader will get yarded on, so bungy cord won't do.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Big Wall and Aid Climbing
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