Replies

1. 
   bobl | Apr 17, 2007 06:57pm | #1

   are you talking of the Cosco (no "t")? Guerrilla also makes one.

    

   bobl          Volo, non valeo

   Baloney detecter    WFR

   "But when you're a kibbutzer and have no responsibility to decide the facts and apply the law, you can reach any conclusion you want because it doesn't matter." SHG

1. 
   JMadson | Apr 17, 2007 07:30pm | #5

   I have the 16' Cosco (no "t") version. I think I got it at Lowes. Works great, sturdy, wide base, easy to fold/unfold, but a little heavy. Fits in the back of my Explorer with no problem at all.“The richest genius, like the most fertile soil, when uncultivated, shoots up into the rankest weeds..” – Hume

2. 
   cynwyd | Apr 17, 2007 07:02pm | #2

   Home Depot also has a LG knockoff at half price. I haven't used it put do own a trestle platform, the one step up for drywall work that is about 3 feet long, and am very happy with it.

3. 
   YesMaam27577 | Apr 17, 2007 07:05pm | #3

   I've got the Werner brand knockoff -- had it for about 5 years now.

   Love it.

   It's just about the only ladder I use these days.

    

    

    

   Support our Troops. Bring them home. Now.  And pray that at least some of the buildings in the green zone have flat roofs, with a stairway.

4. 
   BillHartmann | Apr 17, 2007 07:19pm | #4

   If you are talking about a ladder like this one,

   http://tinyurl.com/2j9kh5

   It is much different than an LG.

   I have one like that. And I have an LG knockoff.

   While the articulated ladder might be usable in one or two places that the LG type would nto work the LD will work in many many places that this would not.

   There are LG and the clones.

   Werner/Keller. Mine works much smoother then my friend, but hers is very load and the dogs are different design than the current ones. Lowes caries these. It seems to be slightly heavier than the LG.

   Goreillia Home Depot house brand.

   Cosco - "Worlds Best ladder" From the pictures the hinges are different than the other ones.

   And there is a Canadian company. Don't know the name. But their's is lighter than LG and the cost makes the LG look cheap.

   On Costco's web site I could not find any "multi-position" ladders, just the articulated ones.

   Sam's has LG, Werner, and Cosco's.

   I was surprised how cheap the Cosco's where. But I see that they are only rated for 225 lbs.

   .
   .
   A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
1. 
   BrianC | Apr 18, 2007 02:32am | #7

   I was talking about costco not cosco.  I guess I am a little confused as to why the one in the link is not similar to a LG.  I don't know if that one in the link is the exact one I saw in the store for some reason I thoght the name on the box said safety first??? But I could be completely wrong about that.  Thanks for all the imput so I guess people with the knock offs seem generally happy.

1. 
   BillHartmann | Apr 18, 2007 04:37am | #9

   There articulated ladders have 4 equal sections with 3 joints that can be locked a straight, 90's 45's.This shows all of the different positions for the Climb-tek. All of the brands don't have that many positions.http://specialtyladders.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=29The LG and clones have two sections with one joint that will lock straight or 45 (30?). And two other sections that slide in the first to and can be locked in any number of different lenghts.This shows the different positions.http://www.littlegiantladder.com/little-giant/type-1a.html?source=lglaffiliateBut each on of those is actually multiple ones depending on how for out the inner sections are extended..
   .
   A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

1. 
   JMadson | Apr 18, 2007 05:55am | #10

   There articulated ladders have 4 equal sections with 3 joints

   I've had one of those for years, never once have I used it for any of it's special functions.

   Go with an LG knock-off. “The richest genius, like the most fertile soil, when uncultivated, shoots up into the rankest weeds..” – Hume

1. 
   BillHartmann | Apr 18, 2007 08:09pm | #15

   I don't think that I have never used my articulated in the extention mode, but might have. I have used it several times as a step ladder (8ft). But with Wener 'LG' is a 17 ft so it covers the same height at max, but can be lower. Thus I will never use it again for that funtion.I did use it once for working over some shrubs in a "bridge" mode.Beside being able to set it up on steps, what I really like about the 'LG' types is that in step ladder mode that you put them up at minimum height and then extend them. That is handy when working with a 8-12 ft step ladder. Tilting up a big one can be an adventure in house full of furniture, lamps, and picutres. Also it is great when working where the is overhead clutter. You start low and increase the height to the area that you want.And also being about to adjust it to that the back legs are veritical is handy.Th 'LG' suck as an extension ladder and would not use one primaryly for that features. You have to position with the upper legs extended as you want and extend the bottom ones after you lift it up and under weight.But even that said I used it as one in a stair way that otherwise would have had to build scafolding or platforms on..
   .
   A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

2. 
   wrudiger | Apr 18, 2007 06:13am | #12

   I've got the HD LG knockoff - the single joint style.  Absolutely love it.  I got tired of reading horror stories here about falling ladders, and thinking about my funky ladder scene.  I end up doing enough things on slopes or steps and the ability to make the two sides different heights is a huge deal for me. 

   I've got the 6' to 10'+ version.  Sucker's heavy, but I feel so much more stable on it it's worth it.  Used the 2 separate ladder/scaffold setup the other day for the first time - that's a winner too!

2. 
   rasconc | Apr 18, 2007 06:11am | #11

   I just did my usual anal over study of this bunch of ladders.  The Little Giant seems to be much better made, but not that much better($).  There is a Pro version that I really wanted but could not justify.  I looked at the Cosco (not Costco the store) at Sams, Gorilla at HD, Little giant via internet, and the Werner at Lowes. 

   http://cgi.ebay.com/17-1A-Little-Giant-Ladder-PRO-SERIES-w-Wheels-New_W0QQitemZ150111078903QQihZ005QQcategoryZ63918QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

    I bought one of the Little Giant three legged step ladders (Ultra Step) in fiberglass and got the Werner 17' LG clone.  The Cosco looked very cheaply made, but what do you want for that low price point?  Lowes had a $25 gift card rebate (any $99 Werner purchase) on the $169 17'er.  The Werner is very smooth and appears to weigh the same as all the others in a given length.

   I did not like the way the pullout section hooked up for scaffold with LG.  I think the brackets that come with the Werner are much more secure although a little more time consuming.  I also got the extendable plank from LG for 144 shipped.

   http://www.factorydemo.com/products.php

   I also have a 18-20 yr old artuculating ladder that does not give me much of a secure feeling.  They are not nearly as versatile.  I considered that funny stacking thing.

   The Ultra Step shows great promise.  The Factory Demo (LG official site)(factorydemo.com) has the best prices I found and free shipping.  Did find some accessories on ebay at better price.

   http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160106992816&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_RCRX_Pr4_PcY_BID_Stores_IT&refitem=160106083034&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&usedrule1=CrossSell_LogicX&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget

    

   Edited 4/17/2007 11:18 pm ET by rasconc

5. 
   RippySkippy | Apr 17, 2007 07:40pm | #6

   I have a LG, and really like it...the more I used it the more I like it. I have 2 work platforms, and the stabilizer, all work really well.

   That said...my neighbor bought the HD Gorilla ladder and except for the smooth operation of the hinges, you couldn't tell them apart. For half the price, I'd look at something other than the LG. They're nice but not THAT nice.

   Opinion worth price paid -- YMMV

   Rip

6. 
   peteduffy | Apr 18, 2007 03:24am | #8

   I bought the Cosco "World's Greatest Ladder" for $99 at Sam's Club.  It's rated for 300#, nice and sturdy.  I studied it against the LG (which was selling for around $300 IIRC) and couldn't see any significant differences.

   I absolutely love it and consider one of my best purchases.  It fits in the van (on edge behind the seats) and I don't even carry a step ladder any more.

   Gotta find a way to hang it from the ceiling of the van, so that it's plenty sturdy when stored, but easily accessible.

   Pete Duffy, Handyman

7. 
   mctex | Apr 18, 2007 06:20am | #13

   The articulating ladders that hd sold several years ago looked exactly like the Climb-Tek models, with orange rubber feet.

   They had a product recall due to the fact that if you stressed the joints they would later sometimes fail to lock in correctly. I learned that one the hard way. HD took it back and gave me a full refund. BTW the recall notice came out about 6 months before I bought mine.

1. 
   ANDYSZ2 | Apr 18, 2007 02:17pm | #14

   I have 2 of the costco lg knockoffs and an 8-13' extendable walkboard. I like them so much that I am buying another one today and another walkboard.The 10-16'walkboard price on the web is way cheaper than I can get locally so I will order it.

   I want to run 3 ladders with w.b.'s between them to extend my scaffolding length.

   The nice thing about this setup is the walkboards are a perfect fit to the ladders and you could c-clamp the boards together at the middle ladder.

   This setup is a perfect fit for replacing and painting one story fascia and soffit and gable face siding jobs.I also like them for arbor jobs.

   ANDYSZ2WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?

   REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST

    

8. 
   RRooster | Apr 24, 2007 01:39am | #16

   Have a customer who has a new one from Costco and I have used it when I work for them and it's pretty nice, though not as big as the little giant, I believe.  A nice bargain.

    

   For good new rock music, click on: http://www.wolfmother.com

    

    

9. 
   toolbear | Apr 24, 2007 06:39am | #17

   Has anyone used the articulating ladder that costco sells. 

   That would be the Cosco - "The World's Greatest Ladder"  - it says that right on the ladder - so you can buy with confidence.

   We have one in the shop.  They are a handy ladder for techies to put in the truck or van.  Very versitile.

   I would prefer the Werner I bought from Costco some years back for $99.  It gets a lot of use and had been very useful.  It is about the only ladder I use nowadays.

   The ToolBear

   "Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.

10. 
    Jer | Apr 24, 2007 01:53pm | #18

    I have the LG knock off from HD. Gorilla makes it. I absolutely love it and like the other post says, it's about the only ladder I use anymore. Very versatile.

1. 
   renosteinke | Apr 24, 2007 05:58pm | #19

   Several of my customers have Little-Giant type ladders, and I have used them. Sure, they're OK, but I'd never buy one. My primary ladder is this type of combination ladder: http://www.eladders.com/images/classic_step_to_straight_fiberglass_sm.jpg . The 7ft. version is just right for most interior work, and the 11 ft. reach in extension mode gets me on the majority of roofs (or into attics). Where there are gutters, one of the folding "4-way" ladders does a fine job of reaching around the gutter. http://www.eladders.com/images/big_louie_sm.jpg My other ladders, btw, are a conventional 20 ft. extension ladder, a 5 ft. conventional step ladder, and a 2 ft. "mechanics" ladder (that primarily serves as a work holder).

   Edited 4/24/2007 10:59 am ET by renosteinke

11. 
    sungod | Apr 24, 2007 05:58pm | #20

    I have both the Little Giant and the Costco one. The Little Giant is a 15+ year old one that does not have the blue hitting knobs, like one the Costco one.
    I like the Costco one better.