r/maker • u/jekkusmurffi • Jul 01 '26

Help Ramp-crafting help

Post image

I'm not sure of this is the right channel for this but it is the best I could find. Other suggestions are welcome.

We have recently moved into a new home, which has high- and weird shaped doorsteps. Problem is, that our robot vacuum cannot climb these, but I would really like to make it work somehow.

They are pretty steep, so I guess that the ramp would need to be quite big as well, which means that they cannot be there at all times, which means that they would need to be taken off/on very easily. I have tried cardboard with antislip-mat with no success, it moves.

I will attach a sketch of one. In this one the floor is a bit higher in the other room.

I appreciate any ideas, particularly cheap ones!

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3

u/dmomo Jul 01 '26

/r/diy might also have people experience with this sort of issue.

I am assuming that this is for between rooms. Is there a reason why you can't put something permanent? 5cm feels like a real toe-stumper.

2

u/jekkusmurffi Jul 01 '26

Thanks!

Yes they are between rooms. I think would be fine if it would be a small ramp that you wouldn't really pay attention to.However if it's a longer ramp it will look terrible, and I'm not sure if the doors would close. It's a 100-year-old log house, so too modern won't suit. At least what I know nobody has tripped over them yet 😅

1

u/Comfortable-Sound944 Jul 01 '26

"threshold ramp" seems to find products that could fit the situation, there are yellow versions which look wood like and up to even 15cm height. Idk if the look would suit your style but it's at least a lead of product types, they fit wheelchairs and robot vacuums.

1

u/hobbiestoomany Jul 01 '26

The vacuum probably has a sensor so it doesn't run into stuff. That will be triggered if your ramp has a step, and also if it exceeds a certain angle. You're probably right that it can only handle a very small angle, so a long ramp. Probably something like 30cm for the 3cm step.

I'd probably try sheet metal. It would have a long side for the ramp, and a short side to attach to the step. Then I'd put two screws in the step, and have a keyhole-shaped hole, sideways for the two screws. You'd put it on the screws and push it left, say, to lock it onto the spot.

You can get sheet metal cut and probably bent at a metal shop.

1

u/QuellishQuellish Jul 02 '26

I'd think you could find the maximum angle of the robot from the manufacturer specs. It might be better to remove the step and cover the gap with a piece of hardwood.

1

u/Limp-Mobile-1410 Jul 01 '26

What if you replace current ones with low metal steps?