Replies

1. 
   gordsco | Oct 10, 2004 09:34am | #1

   "I swear by them".

   I swear at them.

2. 
   seeyou | Oct 10, 2004 12:24pm | #2

   I swear by them.

   Me, too. Those fancy new aluminum ladders are too easy to move around. You also don't get splinters from them and the rungs don't break as easily. Less excitement. I like the feel of those round rungs cutting into my feet versus the relative comfort of the flat topped aluminum rungs. Also, aluminum is harder to spell than wood. I don't think aluminum ladders will ever catch on. And don't even get me started on that fiberglass crap.

   I invented broken rungs.

3. 
   blue_eyed_devil | Oct 10, 2004 01:23pm | #3

   Meirlan, I love my 20' wooden type 1A ladders.

   I use aluminum for longer ones.

   blue

   If you want to read a fancy personal signature...  go read someone else's post.
1. 
   seeyou | Oct 10, 2004 02:01pm | #5

    I love my 20' wooden type 1A ladders.

   I've got a competitor that only uses wooden ladders. I'm just curious, not trying to pick a fight, but what is the attraction? I don't see any benefits except the non-conductivity.  I fell from the attic of a two story house all the way into the basement when a rung broke on a wooden step ladder. Consequently, I get the creeps whenever I see a wooden ladder.

   I invented the four day creep.

1. 
   BossHog | Oct 10, 2004 02:28pm | #6

   "I fell from the attic of a two story house all the way into the basement when a rung broke on a wooden step ladder."

   I broke a leg when one of the treads on a wooden steplader split.

   So they don't do much for me either.George Washington was first in war, first in peace... and the first to have his birthday juggled to make a long weekend.

2. 
   blue_eyed_devil | Oct 10, 2004 04:56pm | #9

   Greencu, most of the wooden ladders that you will see onsite are probably past their prime. They probably should be cut up.

   I like new (2 years old and newer, unless theyve been stored indoors) wooden straight ladders. The straight ones are harder to find nowadays. They must be type IA. You probably were on type I's, II's or III's. They are too thin.

   Wood ladders come apart very easisly and as such are very handy to use as a single 10' section. Many times, if I am working a wall that might need back and forth action, I might split up two ladders and "jump"  them. I can actually cover about 6' for each straight section.

   The wood ladders are more stable when being used on uneven surfaces. They tend to twist better, without wanting to slide or rotate. The wood surface grips the wall surfaces better too...better than plastic or fiberglass. 

   One of my most favorite uses is wall straigtening and bracing. I use the top section of the extension. Because the rungs are round, I can use it in any position. This makes it very easy to maneauver in and out of tight walls and braces.

   I don't mind buying a new ladder every other year.

   The worst ladders, in my opinion are the fiberglass, which many people love. The UV rays break down the glass and make these ladders very unstable, although they lood good. They are very prone to slide and twist, especially when they get a little age on them.

   I once dropped a chunk of lumber on a brand new wood ladder. It cracked a rung. I drilled a 1/4" rod through it and bolted it. That rung outlasted the ladder. I always felt safe on it.

   blueIf you want to read a fancy personal signature...  go read someone else's post.

1. 
   Dez | Oct 10, 2004 10:25pm | #10

    

    

   "I like new (2 years old and newer, unless theyve been stored indoors) wooden straight ladders. The straight ones are harder to find nowadays."

    

   Youbetcha...when they are waterlogged, they don't fly outta the truck on the freeway like those flimsy lighter ladders! ; )

    

   Peace

2. 
   FrankB89 | Oct 10, 2004 11:10pm | #11

   Fiberglass ladders are an OSHA requirement for sparkies.

   But because of their weight (the ladders), some electricians call on other trades to help stand them up (when they're over 16'.  :-)

   The worst thing to do to a wooden ladder is leave it out in the rain;  the components swell, then shrink when the ladder dries out and you end up rebuilding the damned thing or making firewood out of it.

   When I worked in Old Growth Doug Fir sawmills, two of the lucrative items were scaffold plank stock and ladder stock....all clear, tight grain, minimal slope of grain.

   The increasing rarity of such raw material partially explains the growing rarity of wooden ladders.

    

   Edited 10/10/2004 4:23 pm ET by Notchman

1. 
   blue_eyed_devil | Oct 11, 2004 05:06am | #13

   Notchman, I leave my ladders out. Actually I hang them from the Skytrak now. I realize that I'm ruining them, but I'm just too lazy to bringthem home and store them in the garage every night. I'd rather pay the piper by buying new sooner.

   blueIf you want to read a fancy personal signature...  go read someone else's post.

2. 
   rez | Oct 11, 2004 04:34pm | #14

   I just bought two Werner 28ft fiberglass ext ladders rated for 300lbs.

   Heavy dogs but ya feel better when up on them. Certainly requires your full attention when moving and adjusting.

   I am slow and methodical when using these things but

   I've watched the 20 something cable dogs that use them everyday move those things around like they were aluminum.

   They'll stick they're arm thru the middle rung area, put it up on their shoulder and run with 'em! Roar!

   Oh to be 20 again. 

4. 
   tyke | Oct 10, 2004 01:46pm | #4

   whats a wooden ladder?

   lol

   havent used or seen a wooden extention ladder in about 15 years. didnt know they still made them.

   tyke

   Just another day in paradise

5. 
   dIrishInMe | Oct 10, 2004 03:20pm | #7

   I have a wooden 10' 'A' style step ladder in excellent condition that I'll sell you for $20.  Cost about $100 ~12 years ago.  You pay the shipping ;-)

   Matt
6. 
   DANL | Oct 10, 2004 04:05pm | #8

   You hadda ask, didn't you?! ;-)

7. 
   IMERC | Oct 11, 2004 04:34am | #12

   Not since a crash and burn a long long time ago...

   Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

   WOW!!!   What a Ride!