I’m gearing up for a couple jobs this summer.
Got myself some pump jacks–set of 3 with the workbench att. and braces.
Now I have a line on a used Aluminum Plank. It’s a Werner ‘Taskmaster’ 2 guy unit rated for 500lb, in fine shape, and the guy wants 200$ for it.
My question is this: it’s 20′ long and 14″ wide. Weighs 80lb. As far as usefulness goes, would you rather have a 16′ or shorter? Or is 20′ a good length to have? Seems like kind of a monster, but I don’t mind storing it and moving it around if it means less hassle on the site.
Looks like new cost is about double that.
“Research is what I’m doing when I don’t know what I’m doing…”
Replies
good price and good size
Hey thanks guys. I'll get it.
Yeah, Piffin, I did get 3 jack setups so I should be good--thanks.
Craig's list is a great way to find what you really need used if you post a "Looking for..." ad in the tools/materials section. I got about 6 calls that morning and have come away with 3 pumpjacks, with workbench bracket on each one, 5 braces and this 20' plank for less than 500$"Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing..."
I've got 2 Werners. A 12" x 24' one-man, and a 14" x 12' two-man. Paid 375.00 and 165.00 respectively.
Wouldn't part with either. Frequently span 22' with the long one, then again I only weigh 150# soaking wet, with lead boots. The best reward for a job well done is the opportunity to do another.
We have 20's, 24's, and one 16. I'd say the 20' gets used the most. The 24's are nice when you need them, but they are mankillers to move around. the sixteen is sweet but you often need a bit more length.
"The 24's are nice when you need them, but they are mankillers to move around. the sixteen is sweet but you often need a bit more length."
There's a really crude joke in there somewhere... Let BossHog have it.
Good to know I'm on the right track with the 20'er."Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing..."
"I only weigh 150# soaking wet, with lead boots. "
I've got 5lbs on you, but I don't have any lead boots. ;-)
Can you move your 24'er around yourself?"Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing..."
Absolutely. Manufacturer was kind enough to place a decal indicating "center", so I can pretty much grab-n-go. If you've seen my photo threads, then you can see that I'm not exactly a body-builder either.
Any wider than 12" however, would probably be a struggle.The best reward for a job well done is the opportunity to do another.
sounds like a deal.
and I've had more situations where a 16ft'er would have been too short than I have a 20ft'er being too long.
I'd grab up that 20 ...
maybe keep an eye open for smaller down the road.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
The plank is good, but the span is wrong for typical pump jacks which go on 4x4 poles, if that is what you have. They are intended to be set up no more than seven feet apart. I have used them 12' apart when well braced, but an 18' span would really be scary
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"The plank is good, but the span is wrong for typical pump jacks which go on 4x4 poles, if that is what you have. They are intended to be set up no more than seven feet apart. I have used them 12' apart when well braced, but an 18' span would really be scary"I assume you are talking about the pump jack that are for wooden 4x4's or spliced together 2x4's. For those I definitely agree that you don't want to span those very far. I think he's talking about either the werner or alumapole set up. For those his span is fine. The set up everyone around here has is either a 20' or 24', mostly the 24'. Whatever you do, don't get the really wide planks, those are nice to be on but they are WAY too heavy and the extra width is really unnecessary.
That is correct. I figured he meant the wood poles because he said pump jacks and did not say alumnapole jacks
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Yeah I've got the pump jacks that climb wood. 4x4's or 2 2x4's. BUt I have 3 sets. So the span will be cut in half over the 20' x 14" plank.
I'm kind of an acrobat, but wouldn't think of spanning 20' between 2 pump jacks on 4x4's."Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing..."
C'mon, we used to do it with 30's. I can't see where the length of the plank has anything at all to do with the stability of the poles?
Regardless of the span, when we'd get above 14' or so, we'd "X" brace with some lap-joined pieces of strapping. Tighten that bad boy right up!
EDIT: We ALWAYS used #1 clear SYP 2x4's for poles. 2-3 jobs max, then they're form stakes since they're too d##m hard to nail.
The best reward for a job well done is the opportunity to do another.
Edited 4/17/2008 10:54 pm ET by davidhawks
I did it years ago. I might not do it today. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
I'd take a 20' over my 16' any day, if for no other reason than a low gable over a garage door.
Always pissed me off when it was harder to rig a 16' in front of a 16' opening than a longer pick.
Always ended up using 24's cause i had em'.
Remodeling Contractor just on the other side of the Glass City
We've got alumipoles and 14" x 24' pics.
I'm 6', 190lbs and I can move the pics by myself but it's easier with two people.
20'ers might be nice but I wouldn't want to bother with 16's. We also have the telescoping aluminum planks for in-between sizes (forget the length, maybe 6' to 10'?).
I just got my first set of aluma-poles a year and a half ago. Paid $800 for two 20' poles, w/braces and a 16' pick.This after 6 mos b4 I had passed on two 20' poles, w/braces and two extensions (8' I think) and a 24' pick, AND 25 sidewall brackets, for $1,000.
I ended up borrowing the 24' pick and the extensions from the eventual buyer for some high work on a house I'm siding right now. I kick myself every single day, mostly 'cause of the pick. You can always (well, almost always ) hang the pick past the pumps if you have to, and if they're chained, even walk out on the cantilevered part a little ways without the other end giving a lift that leaves that nasty stripe in yur briefs.
Go long or go home :)