A Traditional Jacob's Ladder

Step 5 Add the second block

Take your completed first block and lay out it as in the picture below, with the three ribbons stretched across the same side. Put your next block right on top of the first one once it is laid out like that. Now cross the ribbons back over the top of the second block, as in the second picture below.

Turn the blocks on one edge and hammer the blue ribbons in on the edge you are facing. Then flip to the other edge and hammer in the red ribbon.

BUT WAIT! VERY IMPORTANT You, like me, may have the impulse to overtighten bolts, ribbons, etc. Do not indulge that impulse here. Before you hammer in the second block's ribbons, make sure there is enough loosey-goosey space. The slack in the second picture below is a good cue. You can scoot the ribbon with your nail to make a bit of slack before you hammer it in. A 1/4" would be enough, I think, though I just went by feel. If there is not enough slack, the whole creation will stick without flipping properly. Try to make the ribbons have an equal amount of slack, though.

Comments

[BottomFeeder]

I just made two of these for my nephew and niece. I would like to add this alternative way of attaching the ribbons. I was having trouble getting the slack even on the ribbons, so I measured out and marked the ribbon first. That way the slack is more uniform from piece to piece. Great Instructable though!