Have a rated 300# Type IA Werner 28ft fiberglass extension ladder that was untied and slipped off a wall in a wind storm which twisted it enough that it won’t lie flat.
Does anyone know if there is a process to follow that it might be able to be tweaked back straight or to a closer representative of?
Thanks
The enemy will find it out. He may turn pale when the trial comes. This man seemed to me to lean over the cornice, and timidly whisper his half truth to the rude occupants who really knew it better than he. -Thoreau’s Walden
Replies
Drop it exactly the other way...no kiddin, my 28' alum did that and it sorta made it better. Or so I think.
Nope.
Neither aluminum, nor fiberglass, have much in the way of 'give' or 'stretch.' If the ladder has taken a twist, it means that many parts have been seriously weakened.
Sure, there are 'safety factors' designed in ... but that ladder came out of the factory after having been evaluated under known loads and stresses. With a damaged ladder, it is anybodies guess just how much load it can handle ... or WHEN it will fail.
Look at the math this way:
Cost of new ladder = $300. Cost of a 28 ft fall? I don't want to find out.
Guarantee you Werner would say thats one big liability and you should pitch it and replace.
Real trucks dont have sparkplugs
Well, yeah. Duh!! They make a lot more money off you if you toss the old ladder.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
Toss the ladder, it's a liability.
Edited 6/24/2007 11:10 pm ET by staingrade
Hey smart guy. I think they avoid being sued if you dont continue to use the damaged one. Somehow I think that trumps 20 bucks of profit.Real trucks dont have sparkplugs
Ouch!
Well, look at it this way, you got the base of an Alaska Mill to make some great 14' propellor blades (|:>)
SamT
For the fiberglass to change shape like that the fibers have to separate form the resin and other fibers. Much weaker than originally designed.
Chop it up so no one else can use it.
edit to fix typos
Edited 6/25/2007 8:51 am ET by john7g
If that happened there would be visible clouding of the fiberglass. I suspect that all the bending occurred in the aluminum steps.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
I suspect that all the bending occurred in the aluminum steps.
A most comforting thought when you're 20' off the ground. - lol
I don't know what you'l are talking about. The ladder can be fixed.But it is expensive. And I have to protect my secret process.It cost about 3 times the price of a new one.But give me the cash and come back in a day and the ladder will be "like new"..
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Bill -
Does your secret process work on wood? A few years ago, I dropped a header on my wood 4' ladder and broke one of the legs. Recalling my Boy Scout training, I lashed a broom handle to the broken leg and have taken great comfort ever since in the knowledge that the Boy Scouts taught me how to tie good knots, so I was perfectly safe.
Unfortunately, I used baling string (the blue stuff 'cause it's stronger) and the sun has really degraded it so I need a more permanent repair. Where should I send my ladder?
Disclaimer: The above story is a complete fabrication and has been cut short because of the effort required to keep my tongue firmly planted in my cheek while telling the tale.
Sure it will work on wood ladders.It will even more on dented fenders and broken vases.I am ready to open franchises. Do you want one?However, to obtain the franchise you will have to pass a very rigorous qualifications.The ability to send me $1,000,000 in small unmarked bills..
.
A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
No problem, Bill.
This morning, I got an email from a Nigerian banker informing me that I would receive a $5,000,000 fee if I would let him use my bank account for a few days. I'll be sending him my bank account numbers and passwords later today.
He asked if I knew of anyone else who would like to get into this deal and you came immediately to mind. If you'll send me your bank account number(s) and passwords), I'll forward them to him. Oh yeah, don't forget to include those francise agreements.
Anything for a pal, right? - lol
The point is that very minor deformation of the steps will produce the sprung ladder scenario, aluminum being much stiffer and simultaneously more plastic than fiberglass. The amount of deformation required to do this is well below the level likely result in low cycle fatigue of the aluminum, so there's no reason to believe (absent inspection) that the structural integerity of the ladder is necessarily compromised.The things that would suggest loss of structural integrity would be crazing/fogging of the fiberglass, looseness of rivets and other fasteners, visible crystalization of the aluminum surface, or specific aluminum members that are significantly deformed in other than a simple twist.The real question is more whether the time/effort required to set the ladder right (by carefully tweaking the individual steps) is worth the money saved.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
Dan -
You could be totally correct, but my 30+ years of engineering experience (much of it involving structural issues) suggests that it really isn't something I want to test with my personal arse 15' - 20' above the ground. I suppose that someone else's arse would be ok, but not mine. - lol
Cuz I like ya......
Here's one more vote for chucking that thing and starting over. I'll rack a six foot step around.....but I'm not all that interested in wiping out on a 28'er.
Be throwing that b!tch in the dumpster.
It's not too late, it's never too late.
I got yer answer bro...sorry it took me so long to get here...lol.
Cut it up. Cut each section in half making 4-7' sections and use em' like that. When I was busy doing siding I'd sometimes strap the edges of my ladders to the corners of the house and run planks through them. Course you could only run a plank up 7' high but it may come in handy.
You could also lash the tops together and make 2-7' step ladders w/some cross braces. Thats what I'd do but don't tell anyone I told you that specially OSHA. Whats the worst that could happen..ya fall 7' feet? LOL
"What people will notice and remember is the broad brush of how how we act.We can aspire to reach our high ideals, or we can slide down the slippery slope towards the despicable." rjw
http://www.john-lennon.com/imagine-neilyoung.ra
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
These things ( damaged ladders) make excellent sections to hang "c" clamps and other clamps on in your workshop. I have done this with cutting up an aluminum one into 8 ft pieces and securing the top to the wall with perforated strap.
All I ever Needed to Know I learned in Kindergarten- Robt. Fulghum
There is a "homemade scaffolding" that has appeared in the magazine, (and in many pics from Mike Smith's jobs), that resembles nothing more than a "stepladder" made from 2x's and 1x's.They are set out like stepladders, sideways to the building face, and planks are run through the 'rungs' or 'steps'.Your idea would work just as well, and probably be a lot lighter.
A friend is a person that knows everything about you and still likes you.
On second thought...The ladder is a lot more narrow than those 'scaffolds'.I could see it tipping over too easily.You could devise some sort of brace, but would it be worth the trouble ?
A friend is a person that knows everything about you and still likes you.
It's junk- toss it.
What's a lot of fun is when you are up high on a tweaked ladder and one side pops out of those little guides that keep the sections together....
I had the same thing happen to the same ladder. It was brand spanking new.
The twist was so bad that when up against the building one of the top legs would be 3-4 inches off the siding with both bottom legs firmly on the ground. As I climbed the ladder the top legs would both end up on the siding but one of the bottom legs would kick out 3-4 inches so that only one leg was on the ground!
Never tried that again.
I brought it back to the store and they gave me a great deal on a replacement.
-Norm
Sure don't see anything wrong with that approach. Take it back to the supplier and see if they might warranty it or at least get some discount on the replacement.
Can't hurt to ask.
"What's an Arkansas flush?......It's a small revolver and any five cards."
And sawing it into smaller pieces is a good idea too.-----------I observed a fiberglass ladder on a utility truck yesterday after lunch and refreshed my memory as to the construction. While I still believe it would be possible to safely straighten it, I suspect it would be difficult if you didn't have jigs set up to do this.The rungs are flattened (D-shaped) aluminum tubes swaged to the fiberglass flanges. What has happened to twist the ladder is that the tubes have been twisted. To straighten them you'd have to have something like D-shaped pieces made to fit inside the rung ends, so that you could apply torque to an individual rung.On a stepladder, with C-channel rungs, straightening would be more straight-forward -- you could just clamp opposite ends of the rung somehow (blocks of wood and furniture clamps, eg) and twist.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
If you are not yet convinced....
add my vote to destroying the ladder and getting a new one.
$300 is a lot of money, but, OTOH, $300 is nothing.
Rich Beckman
Coming to the Fest? Don't forget pencils!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You now own a 'Compensation ' piece.
Have you checked the prices for aluminum scrap??
maybe you should hire a Gorilla to jump up and down on it
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, wer ist jetzt der Idiot ?
This might sound funny but I would be inclined to take to an automotive bodyshop. If anyone knows how to straighten out something bent it is those guys.
Aternative #2 is call the manufacturer, they might replace it to save face. It is my experience that the louder you get the better the results. Threaten to stand outside their head office with their bent ladder and a giant sign. They love that.
Dave
So, the majority are saying it's the dumpster or scrapyard time?View Image The most interesting dwellings in this country, as the painter knows, are the most unpretending, humble log huts and cottages of the poor commonly; it is the life of the inhabitants whose shells they are, and not any peculiarity in their surfaces merely, which makes them picturesque; and equally interesting will be the citizen's suburban box, when his life shall be as simple and as agreeable to the imagination, and there is as little straining after effect in the style of his dwelling. -Thoreau's Walden
Looks like the rungs just rotated a little in their holes. Still sort of a crapshoot, life is sort of short especially up on a ladder.
Oh, THAT kind of tweak. I pictured a curve. Might wanna retract my stance. Make chicken ladders, but FG is kinda heavy for that.
Call Werner...raise hell, kick up the poop, threaten to post on a FHB Mag. Forum about how mad as hell you are( oops,)...might score a free ladder.
Err..good luck with that.
Are both sections twisted?
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
yep, fell locked together onto a low concrete wall.
be hating when that happens The most interesting dwellings in this country, as the painter knows, are the most unpretending, humble log huts and cottages of the poor commonly; it is the life of the inhabitants whose shells they are, and not any peculiarity in their surfaces merely, which makes them picturesque; and equally interesting will be the citizen's suburban box, when his life shall be as simple and as agreeable to the imagination, and there is as little straining after effect in the style of his dwelling. -Thoreau's Walden
So when you pull the sections apart both are equally bowed?
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
So, the majority are saying it's the dumpster or scrapyard ...
and I will add my voice to theirs - ladder work is dangerous enough with unimpared equipment - I know 2 people who have f....ed themselves for the rest of their lives with ladder accidents (I know not in either case whether the condition of the equipment contributed or whether it was totally operator error) - neither man will do physical labor again -
sorry - I've scrapped a lot of ladders over the years - expensive - but not as expensive as an accident - get rid of it so you're not tempted -
"there's enough for everyone"
I would take a couple of your warped 2x4's (for good luck) and get a gorilla (or friend) to help. Gently reverse twist the ladder by prying. Make sure that you don't crack the fiberglass where you are prying-maybe make something to spread the point loads. Well, I know that's what I would do. Now, I am not recommending you should do what I do.
Disclaimer: The ladder should be straight and pretty, but the load rating has been derated by an unknown amount.
That is tweaked just like a couple of the ladders at a company I used to work for.
Sometimes, the extended section would pop out of the guide. Other times, the bottom would walk out a little on a flat surface like concrete, a wood shim under one side would prevent that.
Eventually, I refused to use it because the company would fight workers comp claims, and there was no line item for "hero pay" on my check.
I know a couple of people with serious lifeling complications from ladder falls. Although the people I know did not get hurt from defective equipment, I refuse to increase my odds of getting hurt using damaged and/or improperly repaired ladders.
Yes, ladders are expensive, but injuries are worse.
"So, the majority are saying it's the dumpster or scrapyard time?"Yup. I know. It seems like such a waste when you look at that nearly perfect ladder laying there...but it is the only smart thing to do.
Rich BeckmanComing to the Fest? Don't forget pencils!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111111
I would keep it and turn th etwo sections into dedicated cchicken ladders for roofing - steel roofs.glue strips of carpet scrap or HD pad to one side to protect the steel, bolt ridge hooks at one end .That way it is obvious "THIS IS NOT A NORMAL LADDER FOR LEANING AGAINST A WALL, YOU JERK!"'course you work alone anyway, right?I am hesitant about throwing stuff away so I can't go along with the majority here, but I would not be leting any employee os sub climb that ladder in the normal way but It can make a fine cchicken ladder or shorter section for certain things
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
My four-foot fall off a ladder that slipped cost $26,000, and JLC only gave me $175.
Here in LA there is a special process for disposing of ladders. Contractors tie them to their truck racks with "dental floss" then hit the freeway at 80mph. When the ladder flies off and is struck by a few motorists it's suddenly reduced to a non-usable state and left for the highway department to pick up. It's a very simple process and apparently is used quite often judgeing by the number of destroyed ladders I see almost weekly on the freeways. Give it a try.
Well, thank you all for your thoughts on the matter.
I have not separated the ladders but it looks as tho' both ladders maintain the same twist.
Running a company with the well being of your crew and the ever present concerns of liability in an ever increasing complexity of the modern world, I can agree without a doubt that the ladder should be retired.
But I, on the other hand, being a oneman lightweight with a peashooter compared with the equipment most of you big guns carry, will opt to attempt to straighten the tweak.
I say such in that there is another identical but undamaged ladder that will be in service when needed instead of this one which now carries the mark of Cain.
The original intent was having two to provide quick scaffolding from ladder jacks if needed and this may yet serve that particular utilitarian purpose if no other.
We'll see how the anti-tweak goes first as having done this type of work for several decades and have not found myself in any serous injury,
I am not about to take any unnecessary risks with what may be faulty equipment.
Thanks again and cheers. The most interesting dwellings in this country, as the painter knows, are the most unpretending, humble log huts and cottages of the poor commonly; it is the life of the inhabitants whose shells they are, and not any peculiarity in their surfaces merely, which makes them picturesque; and equally interesting will be the citizen's suburban box, when his life shall be as simple and as agreeable to the imagination, and there is as little straining after effect in the style of his dwelling. -Thoreau's Walden
Running a company with the well being of your crew and the ever present concerns of liability in an ever increasing complexity of the modern world, I can agree without a doubt that the ladder should be retired.
But I, on the other hand, being a oneman lightweight with a peashooter compared with the equipment most of you big guns carry, will opt to attempt to straighten the tweak.
As a one man shop, that is an even bigger reason to pitch it and get a new one.
Heck, there are used ladders on Craigslist almost every day in my area.
Lots of luck.
Yeah, but here's a thought. Those used ladders are ones that fell off a truck and got wracked. The owner tweaked them back straight using hints from FHB and is now selling them on e-bay.
For the record Rez.... liability, lawsuits, insurance, etc are the last thing on my mind regarding faulty equipment. Coming around the corner and seeing one of my guy's (or me) in a pile of broken bones is right up there though.View Image
If nothing else they would make a great set of racks for storing lumber or drying painted trim.
You could attach them to trailer for ramps or side rails.
Once you straighten them you could use them for long miter saw table stands.
Redneck trellis.
Monkey bars for the kids.
ANDYSZ2WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?
REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST
ya, just trashing it to the dumpster is against my religion.
What if an equal ado were made about the ornaments of style in literature, and the architects of our bibles spent as much time about their cornices as the architects of our churches do? So are made the belles-lettres and the beaux-arts and their professors. Much it concerns a man, forsooth, how a few sticks are slanted over him or under him, and what colors are daubed upon his box. -Thoreau's Walden
didn't get the answers you wanted didja???be safe my friend!.
.
."First thing I would do is shoot the carpenter"
Just like anything else just go do it.
In the meantime it fits well unextended on the side of a shed roof porch over uneven ground. Tight as a glove.
be teetering on the brink of insanityWhat if an equal ado were made about the ornaments of style in literature, and the architects of our bibles spent as much time about their cornices as the architects of our churches do? So are made the belles-lettres and the beaux-arts and their professors. Much it concerns a man, forsooth, how a few sticks are slanted over him or under him, and what colors are daubed upon his box. -Thoreau's Walden
Hell, I kinda like the idea of making a storage unit out of it. Mount a section horizontally along a wall, maybe 8' off the ground (bolted to some "L" brackets ). Then you can pile stuff on top and hang stuff from the rungs.
LOL, I knew you wouldn't be able to toss it! ;) See if we can get Junkhound's attention. I'm sure he would have some ideas.
It just about takes a gun to get me up a 28' ladder, and I sure wouldn't do it on a bad ladder or bad surface.jt8
"When I was a young man I vowed never to marry until I found the ideal woman. Well, I found her but, alas, she was waiting for the ideal man." -- Alain
Roar! That ladder will never get extended again.
Last year I had to cut a limb that was way up there around that height. Looked pretty straight forward when yer on the ground looking up till you get way up there with a foot and a half dia. limb hanging on your nose.
Days of heights are fast leaving with the arrival of sanity.
be saneIt would signify somewhat, if, in any earnest sense, he slanted them and daubed it; but the spirit having departed out of the tenant, it is of a piece with constructing his own coffin — the architecture of the grave — and "carpenter" is but another name for "coffin-maker." One man says, in his despair or indifference to life, take up a handful of the earth at your feet, and paint your house that color. Is he thinking of his last and narrow house? Toss up a copper for it as well. What an abundance of leisure he must have! Why do you take up a handful of dirt? Better paint your house your own complexion; let it turn pale or blush for you. An enterprise to improve the style of cottage architecture! When you have got my ornaments ready, I will wear them. -Thoreau's Walden
Roar! That ladder will never get extended again.
As a fellow bargain shopper, I can feel your pain. Nothing worse than losing a $250 tool. Even if you'd gotten it on sale for $200. you're gonna shell out all that $$ and not have ANYTHING that you didn't have 6 months ago. But if it isn't safe to climb on, what other choice do you have?
Although I think we might need to bookmark this thread. One of the few times that most folks are in agreement. Doesn't happen to much around here!jt8
"If you can't sleep, then get up and do something instead of lying there and worrying. It's the worry that gets you, not the loss of sleep." -- Dale Carnegie
I think the ladder is safer than Andy's darn shoes!
Forrest
clogs thank you..
"What people will notice and remember is the broad brush of how how we act.We can aspire to reach our high ideals, or we can slide down the slippery slope towards the despicable." rjw
http://www.john-lennon.com/imagine-neilyoung.ra
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
I'm in the Bay Area and have only seen a few ladders on the freeway, but listening to the traffic reporters, a lot of them get dropped. - lol
I'm with you there- I'm in the bay area too, and I don't think a day goes by without a ladder on the freeway or three. If someone knew how to make a living off of dropped ladders and used mattresses, they could just drive around the bay area picking them up.zak
"When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone." --John Ruskin
"so it goes"
Kinda odd. I've seen mattresses, couch cushions, lumber, a cooktop once, and lots of drywall, but never a ladder.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin