Today I started to work on the actual ladder. I was able to get all the side rail pieces cut and welded, and ready for the next step. Here are the pics!
Here are the 13′ long side rails after cutting.
The top rail returns with the mounting plates before welding.
Ready for tack welding.
The top returns after finish welding and grinding.
Tacking caps to the bottom ends of the rails
After finish welding and grinding.
I clamped the side rail and the return to te table and checked the miter cuts. They lined up nicely at the correct angle.
After tack welding the first side rail, I stacked the second on top of it to make sure the length and angle are exactly the same. Here is a picture of the bottom.
And a picture of the top of the rails.
After tack welding I finish welded both rails.
The finished side rails.
A couple components are cut and ready for the next step!