Looking good Bruce. I continue to be amazed with your ability to hand draw your designs on the wood. I can be very creative following another persons...
A 6' stepladder worries me more than any power tool ever has. Over the years I have operated machines and tools from a D9 dozer to a 16" circular saw...
The commercial made imported ones are held together with only the wire. It is hooked over the edge of one of the bottom slats then twisted at the top...
For a slightly oversized handle hole I like to use epoxy thickened with glass beads. Fills the gap and produces a strong hold. If doing a lot of them...