Boards needed:

• Place a ladder side (K) in position against the bed frame at roughly the angle shown in the pictures. Cut the bottom at the appropriate angle so it rests squarely on the floor, then mark and cut the top angle so it meets the bed.

• Cut the second ladder side to match. Lay the two sides next to each other on the floor with the back edges up and draw a centerline down each, from top to bottom, as shown in diagram. Mark the rung holes, spaced 9 inches apart and beginning 3 inches down from the top. (The first one will fall on the angle. Extend that mark along the side of the 2 by 3. You will need it later when attaching the ladder to the bed.) Draw a line down the center point of each 2 by 3, from top to bottom. Using a 1-inch bit (for a countersink for the nuts), drill 1/2 inch in at each spot where the rung and centerlines intersect, except on the topmost one. (Tip: Wrap masking tape 1/2 inch up the bit as a guide.)

• Then use a 3/8-inch bit to drill through the center of these holes and out the other side of the 2 by 3.

• Drill the holes in the rungs (N) 3/4 inch in from each end with the 3/8-inch bit. Attach the bottom five rungs using 3 1/2-inch-long carriage bolts, with washers and nuts countersunk on the back side. Position the ladder against the bed, 4 inches in from the end. Draw guidelines on the ends of the top rung, as shown in the photo, and hold the rung so the lines match up with your earlier marks on the sides of the 2 by 3's.

• Drill through the rung into the frame with a long 3/8-inch bit. When you have sunk the bit in as far as you can, remove the ladder and continue the hole through to the inside of the frame. Secure the ladder in place with 8-inch-long carriage bolts. (Tip: If the ladder attachment bolts don't reach all the way through on the inside, you can countersink the nuts with a 1-inch bit or get 9-inch bolts and trim them with a hacksaw.)