What sort of ladder is best?

[Tiger]

I need a ladder mainly for painting inside and outside. I have narrowed the choice down to a dual purpose ladder which converts from an A frame to an extension ladder and a multipurpose ladder which can bend to approx 13 different configurations by means of special locking mechanisms. At the moment I'm favouring the multipurpose because if its versatility, anyone had negative experiences with these sort of ladders?

[Cliff Rogers]

That multifunction bendy ladder is useful BUT... you need 4 hands to operate it. :rolleyes:

You have to lift a lever on each side at the joint you want to move in or out & then hold them while you move it... it can be done but it kinda looks like you are having sexual intercourse will an unwilling ladder. :D

For painting inside, you will find an adjustable plaster's stool more versatile unless you have vaulted ceilings. They are also work fine outside if it is a low set house.

I have 2, they were $59 each at Bunnies a while back.

I set them up at the height I want & then stick a painter's plank between them.

When they are not being used for painting, they make good temporary/mobile work surfaces.

When I am cutting long lengths of timber, I set them up with a plank between them & put the drop/mitre saw in the middle of the plank.
I then screw a couple of chocks spaced about a metre apart on each side of the drop/mitre saw at the same height as the table of the drop saw & use them for supports for the infeed/outfeed to the saw. :2tsup:

http://www.woodworkforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=41875&d=1173667222

[Sturdee]

Like clamps you cannot have too many ladders so get both.:D

As you know the back part of the house is double story weatherboard with tall gables as well. Hence I have four extension ladders, a couple of A frames and one of those fancy adjustable ladders as well as a number of step ladders.

Each has a purpose but I use the 6' step ladder and the medium aluminium extension ladder the most. I use the adjustable ladder only in the inside stairwell as it is the only one that works there but it is a pain to use.:((


Peter.

[Cliff Rogers]

The bendy ladder can also be used as a worksurface for an SCMS, see this thread (http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?p=71324).

[mic-d]

I have a multifold ladder and it usually ends up just being used fully extended or as an A-frame. Only very occasionally have I needed the other positions and mostly I just find it bloody heavy and uncomfortable to stand on for a long time because the rungs are so narrow.

Cheers
Michael

[NCArcher]

I bought a ladder to build my shed. It's a Gorilla Mighty I think.
It's an A frame that can fold flat for storage. It can be extended as an A frame and can open up to an extension as well. And a bonus feature is you can seperate the two A frame components and with a set of brackets supplied you can make two trestles.
It's a great ladder and a few friends who have seen it in operation have gone out and bought one for themselves. I can't recommend it highly enough. I should mention that I am an electrician and have worked with ladders all my life including just about every incarnation of the multifold and this one beats them all hands down.

Here's a link http://www.gorillaladders.com.au/html/mm15.shtml

It's now called the Contractor Multi-Purpose :shrug:

[DavidG]

Gorilla here too. Best I have had sofar.

[bsrlee]

Regardless of which configuration you decide to buy, carefully check the load rating - ladders commonly offered run from 100kg 'domestic' thru' 120kg 'trade' and on to 150kg 'trade/light industrial' and they all look the same from arms length.

Personally I'd give the 'domestic' rated ladders the flick - I'm a big boy & I dislike having broken bones or falling from heights. You may have to go to a specialist ladder supplier to get a good range of 150Kg rated ladders, I have seen one or two in Bunnings, but they seem to mainly have the lightest & often cr**piest ladders around too.

[rhancock]

Horses for courses as always.

I grew up climbing to the top of three storey houses, and my dad seemed to enjoy the challenge of seeing how far you can get on a single ladder, so I have a healthy fear of long ladders.

I have the multifold, and its the ladder I use most for jobs, and around the home. It is a little fiddly to put up, and you do need a certain amount of muscle to get it set up, but it is good to carry around the house without bashing into everything. It also fits in the boot of the car, I've even had it in the passenger seat with a seat belt around it, and it goes in lifts too. In the platform set up its a very comfortable height for my 6'.

Downside - its fiddly to set up, the rungs are very uncomfortable in anything but the best work boots and standing on the platform is not an enjoyable experience.

For painting inside I use 2 $49 step ladders from Super Crap Auto and a wooden plank - by far the most comfortable and quickest way to paint.

On the rare occasions I need a ladder longer than any of these can reach, I borrow or hire one.

Final word, on safety - ladders are for access, not for working from. If you're going to paint a wall or a ceiling, you should be standing on a flat surface, like a plank, or a platform.

[arose62]

I read a Choice mag in the local library a while back, which had a comparison of multi-position ladders.

My vague recollection is that you need to be pretty careful with them, as most are dangerous if not carefully locked exactly as per instructions, and some can seem locked when they're not.

Might be worth tracking down the article - cheaper than hospital bills.

Cheers,
Andrew

[jerryc]

Just come back from the hospital physiotherepist. Best ladder is one you don't fall off.

Jerry

[Tiger]

Thanks guys for your input.

Cliff, am use to unwilling female partners so prospect of a ladder being the same doesn't faze me, however am leaning toward an A-frame ladder. What height is the most useful around the house for cleaning gutters, painting ceilings etc.?

[mic-d]

Tiger, I'd go for a Bailey trade step ladder that can be folded out to a full length ladder. Light, comfortable and a good name.

Cheers
Michael

[Bluegum]

Tiger, I'd go for a Bailey trade step ladder that can be folded out to a full length ladder. Light, comfortable and a good name.

Cheers
Michael
I have to agree mick. I have a Bailey here and its a great ladder. After seeing some blokes at work last week with one of those bendy ladders, I can see a few issues with them. The mechanism was starting to play up with it causing the blokes no end of grief while they were trying to unfold/fold it for use.