Pool Ladder Rail Clamp — Ground Anchor Saddle Bracket

What it is

A sturdy saddle clamp that wraps around a horizontal ground rail (round tube/pipe ≈ Ø27.5 mm) and pins the foot of an above-ground pool ladder in place, so the ladder can't slide or wander during use. The bracket sits over the rail with its Ø27.5 mm cradle and is screwed down with two M5 screws; a Ø10.4 mm counterbore lets each screw head sit flush.

Use two brackets per rail — one on each side of the ladder foot — so the leg is trapped between them and held firmly to the ground. A small, cheap safety upgrade for any above-ground pool setup.

Footprint 60 × 43 mm, height 20 mm. Designed for a round rail/pipe of about 27–28 mm diameter. For a different tube size, scale the whole model uniformly (e.g. 30 mm tube → scale ≈ 109%-110%).

Print settings

• Material: PETG or ASA recommended (water-, UV- and heat-resistant for poolside/outdoor use). PLA only for a quick indoor test — it degrades outdoors.

• Layer height: 0.20 mm (0.28 mm fine for a faster, still-strong part)

• Infill: 20–30

• Walls/perimeters: 4 (~1.6 mm) for strength around the holes

• Top/bottom layers: 5

• Supports: None if oriented as below. If your slicer struggles bridging the two horizontal holes, enable supports for those holes only.

• Orientation on plate: Lay the flat 60 × 43 mm base flat on the bed, cradle opening facing up. Strongest layer direction and least support.

• Bed adhesion: 5 mm brim recommended.

• Quantity: 2 brackets per rail.

Assembly / how to use

1. Print two brackets.

2. Lay the ground rail where the ladder foot will rest. Place one bracket over the rail on each side of the ladder foot, cradle hugging the tube.

3. Mark the two holes, then fasten each bracket down with M5 screws.

4. Tighten until the brackets grip the rail firmly and the ladder foot can no longer slide.

5. Check the fasteners are tight before each season and periodically during use.

Purely mechanical — no glue or supports needed for assembly.