Extension ladder

[cmartin]

Continuing the home DIY theme I'm looking for an extension ladder. After a few years of borrowing my dad's old aluminum ladder I'm ready for a safer option. I like the idea of a leveler at the base and found some nice attachments to hold a paint bucket, stabilize the top and so on.

Any reason not to buy a fiberglass Werner? Little Giant looks interesting but $$$. Looking for a 300lb limit. Are Werner attachments useful and the way to go?

House has 1 two story section. I'm not a fan of sitting on the roof and working so any work near the edges will be from a ladder. Looking at 24 or 28'.

I had no idea there were so many options

Thanks for any ideas

[John Hallen]

Unless you have some of the Wallenda blood in you, and don't mind jiggling and swaying 20 feet from the ground, get yourself the highest rated fiberglass extension ladder. The Little Giant and it's folding cousins are very versitile, but scary as hell if you need to work at altitude. Leg extensions and stabilizers are worthy additions.

[cmartin]

swaying 20 feet from the ground

Were you driving by my place last night? :)

Thanks for the advice. I think I'm turning into part chicken in my old age, or maybe I'm finally wising up.

Just need to decide on size now.

[Charlie Stylianos]

Helped my dad clean out the gutters a few years back. The aluminum extension ladder was too short to reach the gutters on the 2 story house, so he rested the end about the top of the 2nd story windows. Watched him haul a 5-gallon bucket full of water over his head on the 2nd last rung to pour down the gutters. The whole time I'm thinking "didn't you dad fall off a ladder and die doing the same thing". Luckily all went well, and I refused to hold the ladder for the remainder. Oh yeah, the hose was too short to reach:roll:

[Trak Ratt]

I got a good one years ago (~32ft), why not save the bucks and borrow mine? Won't need it back for a looong time so maybe the home DYI bug will pass by then.

[cmartin]

Very kind of you. My hope is I get one and never need it. Who am I kidding, that's not going to happen. Searching CL now. Seems like the kind of thing you need all of a sudden and then dont use it for ages.

[John Clay]

^^a.k.a. rent or borrow.

[ausgeflippt951]

Won't need it back for a looong time


Famous last words.

[Richard Curtis]

You probably could rent one at any tool rental place. It's amazing what is available in the way of things to be rented.