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Tips & Techniques

Drill Holder for Ladders

By Curt Lyons Issue 253 - Aug/Sept 2015
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Many years ago, I was working on a job site where the electricians had a piece of 4-in. PVC pipe attached to their ladders to hold their cordless drills. As shown in the drawing below, I put one on my ladder with a pair of screws through the ladder frame and a short cam strap for extra protection. The pipe is about 6 in. long, and the trickiest part is cutting a notch that won’t depress the trigger when the drill is sitting in the holder.

—Curt Lyons, Ft. Collins, CO

Edited and Illustrated by Charles Miller

From Fine Homebuilding #253

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View Comments

  1. CT_Yankee | Feb 21, 2018 06:32pm | #1

    I like the concept but I would be concerned about the screws used. They would have to be machine screws just long enough to allow the use of acorn nuts. I would not want a sharp point on either side of the connection to the ladder frame.

  2. huskiedad | Feb 22, 2018 08:41am | #2

    This holder would work at one spot only, show here at the top of a ladder, a place I don't like to be. A paint can hook on a bucket handle works for hauling tools, supplies, etc., hanging on a ladder rung. And a you can't be a big lug for hanging a cordless tool on a tool belt.

    https://www.walmart.com/ip/Big-Lug-Power-Tool-Holder-Belt-Hook-Holder/720024353?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=9126&adid=22222222227139011549&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=248622882676&wl4=pla-410765114341&wl5=9001853&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=115781808&wl11=online&wl12=720024353&wl13=&veh=sem

  3. Mtnlyon | Feb 22, 2018 12:41pm | #3

    As the author of this tip, I wanted to clarify that I have used these holders for years without any screws. Finehomebuilding added that part. I just use a cam strap and get it really tight by pulling on the strap end with pliers. I am often pre-drilling for screws so I have one drill on my belt and the other on the ladder. Using only a strap it is easily transferred from a step ladder to an extension ladder, although I have mostly used it on step ladders. Two drills on a tool belt gets pretty heavy after a while, especially climbing up and down...

  4. ktkcad | Jan 05, 2019 04:08pm | #4

    Thanks for the clarification Curt.

  5. ktkcad | Jan 05, 2019 04:10pm | #5

    I would think a small flat spot or notch the width of the strap in the side of the PVC would help the strap stay put.

  6. CivilEng43 | Jan 05, 2019 05:13pm | #6

    I bet it it was many years ago - like back when cordless drills didn't yet have those handy belt clips.

    1. COcarpenter | Oct 23, 2020 05:16pm | #7

      CivilEng43, I notice you are prone to snarky comments for any tip. Unlike the addition by FHB's editor, I have never used these holders with screws,. I wouldn't want to drill into my fiberglass ladders. Because these holders are only held with a strap, I can swap them out from an extension ladder to a step ladder easily and they are useful for both. I don't always want to put a toolbelt on for every ladder task, so I don't have to with this holder. I do however have a drill hook on my tool belt, but I sometimes have multiple drill/impact drivers if I am pre drilling. I realize someone who has spent their time at a drafting table or computer, might not realize how heavy a tool belt can get, especially wearing it all day when climbing up and down an extension ladder.

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