Just picked up my first pair of drywall stilts yesterday at a flea market. I can walk around pretty good on them now but one of them feels like it tips forward. I’m 6’4″ and weigh about 230 and I’m thinking that they might need new springs to handle someone my size. (Got them because I’ve been doing repair work on a room with 10′ ceilings)
Found a place online where I can get new springs but they’re only $2.70 and the minimum order is $35.
Any downside to completely removing the springs?
Or is there something else I need to look for? (Foot pad is OK, not worn out – nothing seems to be bent)
Replies
Mine has a wingnut that adjusts the tension depending on the weight of the wearer.
When I stand them up, I don't see any differences between them. The only thing I notice is that the leg braces on both aren't at exact right angles to the floor. They tip forward. If you were to put a framing square on the floor and line the long side up with the leg braces, the top of the braces would be tipped forward about an inch or so off of perpendicular. That's probably the problem. Is that the way they are supposed to be?
Also, the springs have a nut that fastens them on but it doesn't look like it can be adjusted.
try this. First, be wearing hard soled, flat soled shoes. you want the bump that sticks out on your ankle directly in line with the tube that comes up your leg, adjusted a little to maintain center of balance. The heel should have some screws that allow it to be adjusted forward and back to place your foot. When you stand, if you're leaning, you're not balanced. The springs are to control the tension as the foot rotates forward and back. That one has more leeway for personal preference, but if it doesn't feel right, I think most people would know. It should feel natural. Too tight, you get clubfoot, too loose you get wobbly. If you haven't used them before and they're adjustable, try the lowest setting until you get your sea legs about you. The higher you go, the harder it gets to maintain your balance. And make sure when you use them that the floor is free of trip hazards. Many a broken arm have been caused by an electrical cord.
"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain
Heel cups are the same and the height bolts are in the same holes. As to whether one spring is weaker, I found a drywall supply place here that sells the springs and if I can get to it, I'm going over there today and pick up another set just to eliminate that possibility of falling on my azz. Even from the lowest setting (18"), that's not a fun thought. I'm wobbly enough without having weak springs add to it.I'll check to see whether my "ankle bump" is in line with the tube. The heel cups are adjusted all the way forward and since I have size 12 feet, I probably need to adjust them back.Another question...does the "tube" go on the outside or inside of your leg? I've tried it both ways and inside is much more stable for me.Regarding "trip hazards"..thanks for the reminder. I didn't pay attention to that the first time I had them on and like an idiot was trying to walk around on a floor covered with rumpled up plastic dropcloths, scrap wood and electrical cords. I started to go over backwards and was only saved by the HO's curtains, which I pulled down. She was nice about it but I put the stilts away and got out the scaffold. I was really good on stilts when I was a kid but I'm a long ways away from from those days. I need to remember that.
you know i've always worn them with the tubes out and near as I can recall, I've never seen anyone else do otherwise. But I'm at a loss for why you couldn't if it felt more stable. I'd be interested to hear if there's actually a good reason for one vs the other or if thats just how the picture got drawn in the first manual."If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain
After your comment, out of curiosity I googled "drywall stilts", clicked on "Images" and every one showed guys wearing the tubes on the outside. I also accidentally discovered a manual which I downloaded. From that, it looks like some stuff on my pair is way out of alignment and I need to get out the wrenches. I went to get the new springs today but left them at the store when I found they were $34 for a set and the new stilts they had didn't seem any better in terms of the springs than mine.Guess I just need to mess around with them for a while until we get used to each other. If I find they're too ill tempered, I can always put them on ebay.
You probably already know this, but drywall stilts were invented by an out of work orthopedic surgeon. He's plenty busy now.
I heard he has a sales team that visits construction sites.....