I recently watched a infomercial on TV concerning a folding ladder “system”. One of the participants was the famous “Al” from the old “Home Improvement” TV show. Has anyone in this forum bought or used the ladder? If so, would you consider it a worthwhile investment?
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I have the other kind, the folding-W ladder. It's heavy and bulky, and sometimes tricky to unfold. And despite the "instructions" that cam ewith it, it cannot be used as an upside down U for a scaffold or walkboard.
I had a buddy with a Cosco ladder, which I think is a clone of the TV one, and I liked it much better.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Thanks for the info. I am considering buying one. I have several ladders hanging on the wall of my storage shed. They are rather heavy, take up a lot of space and require me to move lawn mowers, etc. just to navigate them in and out of the building. In my younger days, it was always an issue of price. Now that I am older and have a few more bucks, it's all about convenience and less wear and tear on the body!
Scrap... We use these ladders a lot. From the original to Cosco and now Werner. They vary in weight a little bit. The release can sometimes be a pain but they are great and stable for a lot of offset situations, like stairways etc. but you can also take something with a 6' folded profile up to 16'.
I have one- I bought the 13' version at the local tool emporium for a price close to what was advertised on TV.
I regret not buying one a while ago.
The price is pretty comparable to three seperate quality Type 1A ladders (not HD Chinese knockoffs) equal to the two sizes of standard step ladders and the extension ladder.
Once you use it, the feature enabling you to position the sides at different heights and get right next to a wall is quite useful.
The only drawback is the weight, but then you aren't carting around three different basic ladders, either. If your work entails carting around a single size regular stepladder, then that "system" might not be a good choice. If you need two or three, and they fall into the range of sizes offered by the "system", then it is worth thinking about.
The locking hardware works better on the original compared to the knockoffs I have looked at. The really cheap knockoffs might be half as sturdy, too. Some of the construction details- like rung attachment methods- are lacking on the cheap knockoffs.
You get what you pay for.
I have The Little Giant. I believe thats the one you're talking about. Its the largest one they make. Incredably sturdy and incredably heavy so if you do in fact buy the largest one which I believe extends 26' be sure you need it that long because it IS heavy. I scored mine new off of Ebay for about $100 less than what HD now sells it for.
I couldn't be happier with it. Cepty' it is heavy...did I already say that?
Enclosed is a picture of it in action.
Be well
a...
If Blodgett says, Tipi tipi tipi it must be so!
TipiFest 06~~> Send me your email addy for a Paypal invoice to the greatest show on earth~~>[email protected]
Edited 5/29/2006 9:49 am ET by andybuildz
"Its the largest one they make. Incredably sturdy and incredably heavy so if you do in fact buy the largest one which I believe extends 18'"That is not the largest one by far, but how are you measuring.the make 13, 17, 22, and 26 ft version.http://www.littlegiantladder.com/default.aspAnd they make them in 4 different weights, plus fiberglass.A person that I do some work for has a older LG 17 ft. I hate the way that the dogs work on the leg extension. Don't know if they have improved them since.I have 13 ft Keller (Werner) that the dogs work real nice on, but it is heavier than her 17 ft LG. (But I don't know which weight rating hers is).
Must be the 26'er. I don't even remember but if you look at the picture I attached thats totally unextended and it goes past the second story so....Its nice how the ends flair our for stability.If Blodgett says, Tipi tipi tipi it must be so!
TipiFest 06~~> Send me your email addy for a Paypal invoice to the greatest show on earth~~>[email protected]
Hey Andy -
Aren't you kind of pushing the limits on that long platform? Using skinny workers now?
Don K.
Aren't you kind of pushing the limits on that long platform? Using skinny workers now? >>As a matter of fact my worker thats up on there with me is about 250lbs. Thing doesnt flex an inch. those things are really strong!!
Plus it aint all that far to fall. I'd just tell him to use duct tape if he gets hurt...lol.If Blodgett says, Tipi tipi tipi it must be so!
TipiFest 06~~> Send me your email addy for a Paypal invoice to the greatest show on earth~~>[email protected]
Why don't they ever show pictures of really fat people using ladders in these commercials ?LOL
The destination is not the point. The completion is not the point. Enjoy today. If you can't enjoy today, then what is the point ?
Why don't they ever show pictures of really fat people using ladders in these commercials ?>>Now I believe you don't have a TV. Thats one of The Little Giant's main segments of their infomercials. A big fat guy up top one jumping up and down.If Blodgett says, Tipi tipi tipi it must be so!
TipiFest 06~~> Send me your email addy for a Paypal invoice to the greatest show on earth~~>[email protected]
ROFLOLMaybe I should get one ???=0)
The destination is not the point. The completion is not the point. Enjoy today. If you can't enjoy today, then what is the point ?
Nah...its not worth itIf Blodgett says, Tipi tipi tipi it must be so!
TipiFest 06~~> Send me your email addy for a Paypal invoice to the greatest show on earth~~>[email protected]
Man I have the Costco thingy..left it out side last winter.
Went to swap out the chimney pipe inside and the freaking thing was locked up titer than a bulls azz..on the pivot in the center.
After a lot of wd-40 and cussing, I realized it was frozen inside with ice...I have a nother 16' 'W" type ladder, never did that..
Point to ponder..don't leave it outside in the winter.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
There is no cure for stupid. R. White.
I wonder if the Costco knockoff will hold a big fat guy jumping up and down ?You know, like that Hurley guy on "lost" the tv series...I got that entire series from the library, and just finished watching it two days ago. THAT"S what kind of TV I have.=0)I can't wait for season two to be available on DVD. I'm already on the list for holds when the library buys a copy of it. LOLMy impression of "Lost"...It would have made a great movie.As a series... Well I am glad that I was not forced to watch it an episode at a time like the rest of the world. I would have lost interest.It was put together, in my opinion, like they took a really good movie, chopped it into as many parts as there were in the season... Then added all kinds of fluff, foofaraw, and extra idiotsyncratic flashbacks to make each piece fill it's alloted time.A lot of the flashbacks could have been cut, and the points they made, made some other way. And there was just too much repitition of running from monsters, screaming, running for help, and other false dramatics.All without actually SEEING a "monster" for the entire season. You STILL have not seen a monster. Oh, excuse me.... "security system". Like giving it that label toward the end of the season is supposed to make up for the fact that these dipwads simply didn't have either the budget or the nads to actually make and present a real monster before they signed off for the year...In the end, it was all copasetic because I got to watch the entire thing, beginning to end over the course of two or three days. I loved it.I want to see the second season.On DVD.........I wouldn't be able to stand it in pieces through the television "season" if it is anything like the first year season.
The destination is not the point. The completion is not the point. Enjoy today. If you can't enjoy today, then what is the point ?
I have one and use it as a long 16' ladder or a 3' high scaffold (doing so right now, actually).
It's heavy and a minor pain to adjust, but the way I use it I set it up in the a.m. and it tends to stay one way until I pack up in the evening. I also tend to use it on outsude work, only.
For regular work, I plan to stick to a 300# Werner. The W-fold is too heavy and unwieldy for inside work.
If you're looking for convenient storage and versatility, the little giant or the coscco knock-off are both great. I have the coscco and I love it. It ain't light though. Make sure you buy the size that you need and don't go too big.
“The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.†– Albert Einstein
and get a leg lever, actually 2.
bobl Volo, non valeo
Baloney detecter
I have the costco knockoff. It's pretty good. The portability is great: I can even fit the thing inside my car if I have a need to.
When you have it fully extended as an extention ladder, it moves a little more than a regular ladder, but nothing too bad.
if I threw mine in the cart, there would be plenty of room.Because my wife would take my head off...;)
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
This is the ladder you're looking for:
http://www.houseofladders.ca/products.php
I have used a JAWS ladder since 1985 in home inspection, insulation and also loaned to friends. This Canadian invented/made ladder appears to have been copied by Little Giant with a few of their own innovations. My ladder has been left out in the elements #'s of times with no real deterioration. I have replaced (easily) a couple of the spring step-lock mechanisms and now have to replace the partially broken plastic screw-lock handle at the pivot (dropped ladder onto pavement) although it is still operable.
Price wise they are incredible! In 1985, my 22' cost C$325; that cost today is C$375 There are 4 attachments not available in 1985. Seriously considering the 26' that also was not available in 1985 + the attachments. I have been offered $300 when I repair my old one.
These taller ladders are OSHA approved to 300 lbs.
Try ordering direct from from the website.
About the "optional leg extension"...The drawing looks real nice.The pic of it actually being used looks like it's about to break off.
The destination is not the point. The completion is not the point. Enjoy today. If you can't enjoy today, then what is the point ?
Yeah! terrible picture.
Missed the chance of a lifetime in a large spring Home Show here this spring. They brought sample ladders with them which they then sold off so as not to have to truck them back home. They were throwing in the 4 attachments for $0.00!! By the time I heard of the deal, the 26' was gone.
26' + 4 attachments- $425 + tax. So sad for the rest of the night!!!
Ive seen that one. The girl on there is priceless. "Gee Al, that burned out bulb is sooo high, if only man could create a way to reach high places".
I love the idiocy of infomercial hosts. They make it seem as though life could not go on without whatever they're selling. My cousin has that ladder, its cool but its HEAVY.
BTW have you seen the one for the plastic stick-on crown moulding? Its the same hosts that brought us the "duel drill". They tell you how wonderful the product is and how much cheaper and faster than wood but strangely enough they never shoot a close-up of the corners or seams.
I have a Werner Rated at 300 lbs. I think I paid around $180 for it.
I split it into two sections for scaffold alot.
I really like it for working around unevens situations like steps etc.
When it is scoped out as a straight ladder, it doesn't feel as sturdy or as easy to climb as my extension ladder, but I have found many situations where a straight ladder had to be a certain length.
As a step ladder, it's rock solid, but heavy.
I am really glad I bought it, but I would never get rid of my other ladders. My extension ladder is better for jobs I set up for a long time and carry alot of stuff up. My step ladders are easier to carry.
The folding ladder is easy to carry to short duration jobs.
Good summary of the pros and cons.I rarely have used mine in the extention mode. I think only once or twice.But the one time was in a stair well. I could not get my extention ladder in it.But I get the folding ladder in. Then unfolded it. (That was fun trying to balance it.) And then extended it.Most of my uses have been where I need uneven legs. A "wall ladder" or on steps.Painted some gutters on 1 story house. I could get to them with an extension ladder. But that was always in the way.Most places I set it up as an A frame parallel to the house and went up one side and paint in one direction and then down the other and painted that way. Got twice the amount of gutter per move.And in a few places I had obstructions so I lowered one leg and set it perpendicular to the house.
when I started out I purchased a Werner collapsing 16' ladder, was the best 179.00 I ever spent. My first work vehicle was a toyota tercel, and believe it or not I was able to get a 16' ladder in the front seat of that car.
mark
My mother has a Little Giant that she uses to maintain her rental properties. I have used it a couple of times and like it. I am thinking about getting the 17' Wearner knockoff that Costco has for $99 right now but I don't know if I want an aluminum ladder.
FOLDING LADDERS -
Talking about the Little Giant? Talked to sparkies who carry them on their trucks. They like them a lot. Spendy ladder, +$300.
I bought - at Costco - the Werner knockoff for $99. Money very well spent. Been using it since '04 and I am very pleased with what it can do - which is offer a shape to fit the need. Color me a Happy Camper.
Our company has maintenance contracts with a lot of HOAs here in SoCal, so my practice is varied. Wiring one day, changing a door the next, painting, etc. Now an extension ladder to the second floor or roof. Now a step ladder. Now a step ladder with steep front side so I can work in close. Have not tried the scaffold motif. All this fits inside my van vs. carting a step ladder and putting a 22' ext. ladder on the roof.
I have the 300#, 17' version. I also have a smaller one by Gorilla and it's too short.
The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
Knock off's are only designed to knock us off, but thats a thread for the tavern.
I have two 20' little giants. I bought the first one new 20 years ago and I happened on the other for cheap
Geat ladders they are, well worth the money. You can set them up anywhere. I move a little gingerly when I set them up as an extension ladder since I'm over 200lbs, I try not to do that. when I go on a call where I dont know what to expect they are the ladder of choice
no doubt they're heavy, but thats versatility you're carrying
I have the genuine Little Giant 26 ft. and have used a smaller Gorilla knockoff. The real one's definitely better, and priced accordingly.
-- J.S.