Are these things worth the money?
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Learn how to plan, fabricate, and install a chute to conveniently send your dirty clothes from an upstairs bathroom or hallway to your laundry room below.
Featured Video
SawStop's Portable Tablesaw is Bigger and Better Than BeforeHighlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
great on stairs, work ok outside in some applications.
so if you do a ton of work above stairways, they are great, other then that I'll take a normal step ladder any day.
as an extension ladder they're useless and a pita
Eat your spinach, they are a tad on the heavy side. I have one, though use it rarely. CAG was right on about stairs, though; a mandatory convenience.
I have the knock offs from sam's and I really like mine. You can adjust them for uneven ground or stairs.They fold up conveniantly for transporting. they are the strongest step ladder out there and you can climb up both sides so two people can work off one at the same time to install whatever.They work alright as an extension ladder but there is one narrow step where the braces are, that can be disruptive. But my favorite thing about them is my adjustable walkboard fits perfectly between the rungs making it a great a-frame system when using 2 of them and you can climb up the ladder from the outside to get on the walkboard.They cost about a 140$ for the twelve foot model at sam's and I would say they are a very wise investment.
ANDYSZ2I MAY DISAGREE WITH WHAT YOUR SAYING BUT I WILL DEFEND TO THE DEATH YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT.
Remodeler/Punchout
Sam's Club? Who's the maker?
The irony there is the manufacturers name printed on the ladder is cosco by the dorel company and it is a 17' extension.
ANDYSZ2I MAY DISAGREE WITH WHAT YOUR SAYING BUT I WILL DEFEND TO THE DEATH YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT.
Remodeler/Punchout
Lowes has the Cosco also.
HD has their private branded Gorrila version from China.
Man I think the things are awesome. I use it for everything I can. I used to haul multiple ladders around with me. Now I pretty much take the wing and a 2' step. That's it. And I don't think they're a PTIA at all as an extension. But then most of my work is inside, so having a ladder you can carry into the entryway, then turn into an extension without taking out two walls, so you can reach that window up there to case it . . . guess it depends on what you spend your time doing.
On stairs. That's what they really have over everyone else.
"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
Love mine. Convinced my girlfriend to get one a year later. Her ex has it now and she's still peeved about that.
YOU! Horns! You are like a bull trampling thru the tulips of my flutes. Mr. Pettingale -high school band conductor
I have the original (Jaws) 26' model. Must weigh 60#. Painted a 3-story, curved stair-well last year, second or third time this ladder has paid for itself.
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario
Worth every penny. I am a big guy (270 lbs) so having a solid ladder is important. No movement at all and I can and have stood on the top rungs before! (I know I know) Great on stairs. Really like it. DanT
one more vote for the giants - have had one for years and bought another about 2 years ago - use them all the time - heavy yes, but like the stability and versatility.
Seening many copys now that their patent has expired. Werner's looks well built, didn't like the look of the hinge of the cosco, the gorrilla looked like it might have come off the same line as the Giants
Great ladders
I've had mine for ten years now and wouldn't trade it for any other ladder. We affectionatly call it the Little Monster, as it can be a bear to set up without catching a finger or two or to move around while extended, but it is still worth it. IMHO
I like to make the FNG set it up by himself just to see how well he can figure it out, and it's always good for a laugh. :-)
Dave
Are they hard to set up....I watched the CEO of the company on an infomercial the other day, and he whipped that thing around like paper, had the locks clicking and clacking and working flawlessly. I almost ordered one on the spot.....truthfully!
I bought my first 12 years ago. Bought a second 10 years ago. Worth every penny and then some!
BTW, I paid over $400 for the first one. Now they're about $300
Yup -- 300 to 400 for the genuine ones.
The big blue box store has a Werner knockoff. It extends to 21 feet total length, and sells for $99.
Unless you're the lead dog, the view just never changes.
Got the original 26', the newer gorilla 19' is exactly like it. The best improvement is the hinge release now has knobs to push instead of pull with your fingers.
I love the little one fits in the truck of a Civic and the big one fits behind the seats of my minivan.
Those that hate the ladders are too weak or not mechanically inclined. No other ladder can tackle the attic access in a clothes closet with shelves. No other ladder can you stand on the top rung (it says not to). No other ladder gives me the confidence to (carefully) stand on top of a block wall between two houses and extend it to the top of a 2 story roof.
Got one. Fairly handy. Be careful! I had one unlock while I was raising it and swung down and whacked me real good in the back of the head. Somebody managed to break the hinge lock. When in good shape, they're fine. Just don't mistreat them too badly.
99$ Cosco Werner here. I love it but definitely nothing is like the little giant. Very handy to have and gives a bit of a workout to use, and always remember to keep your bungee cords handy for the securing of the top.- ogee
I have the 26' genuine Wing Enterprises Little Giant and a 32' Louisville extension. The LG is far more versatile, and they're close to a wash for weight and difficulty of setup. The stiffness and wide ends of the LG make it a lot less scary (I'm afraid of heights). The leg leveler attachment is great.
-- J.S.
Does anybody have a link to these particular ladders?
http://www.ladders.com/index.htm
Thanks!
I love my Cosco knock off from Sam's Club. I have several high quality step and extension ladders and none of them are as solid, versatile and stable as the Cosco. It really is a piece of cake to operate and works great when separated as two short and easily handled ladders - Or toss a plank on them and you've got scaffolding.
What's heavy anyway? The weight doesn't seem all that bad to me during transport and setup but it does add considerably to the sense of stability when I'm on it.
I haven't had a problem with mine yet but if I ever do I can virtually guarantee it will be the hinges that fail. They look a little light compared to the rest of the ladder, but like I said, no problem so far at all.
Kevin Halliburton
"Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men." - Solomon