Ladders ???

[Kevin]

Blume, I've seen your work vehicle. You've got a small fortune in ladders.

Anyway, I find myself needing to buy a ladder. At the bare minimum, I need something to say change a light bulb on a 14' vaulted ceiling. Which would be better, aluminum or fiberglass? I thought about renting a ladder, but later this summer, I think I'll be needing a ladder again.

And these multi-position ladders? Are they just a marketing ploy, or do they work really well? Folding up into a more compact size is appealing. I don't want to have a stack of ladders on my truck. And storage is also something. a 14' ladder doesn't hide all that well.

I thought I'd ask, because I just looked, and they are around $300.
Any features to look for as I go to Home Depot and look at them? I saw one, and it has wheels to help move it around.

Is Werner the name to buy? I have an 8' ladder right now, and It's a Werner brand fiberglass.

 

[Dan in MI]

I ain't Blume , but here's what I can provide.

1-- look up ladder ratings Type I, II, II etc. That will tell you a lot.

2- fiberglass is heavier but more durable than AL. I have 1/2 a 28' extension ladder I got by knowing the right guy.* I've had it almost 35 years and it is just like the day I bought it

3- The foldable jobs are nice (if you buy a good one) but they are heavy, not just HEAVY, HEAVY. (mine is a Werner)


I made pulley system to store the extension. It hangs in my garage out of the way.


* back story on the extension. Met a customer at work that wanted me to a side job. His profession was ladder sales/maintenance for a telephone company. They scrap a ladder for looking funny (minor scratches etc...) I did the job for a full 28' and a section. My brother has the full. I didn't need that much height.

 

[foxtrapper]

Little giant ladder for around the house is the way to go!

 

[blume357]

First Question is about this vaulted ceiling... are you wanting to lean the ladder up against a wall to get to the light or do you need a free standing ladder like a step ladder?

 

[Kevin]

Thanks! And yes, I think I need a free standing ladder, that’s why I was kind of leaning towards the multi position ladders.

 

[Dave P.]

Not answering your question, but everybody with exposed bulbs in high ceilings ought to have
something like this.
https://docapole.com/products/dp30bulbchangerm_01?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIi9fH6t237gIVWxitBh2ebgdFEAQYAiABEgKSyvD_BwE

That said I like the better rated ( higher weight limit ) fiberglass ladders, do NOT like floppy
cheap ones.
Dave

 

[powder smoke]

No doubt about it that tool is excellent for changing bulbs on high ceilings.
Thing is will you need another tool or ladder for painting or maintaining?
If you do get a ladder you can forget that pole forget that pole, or you can have both! ps

 

[Kevin]

foxtrapper:
Thanks, I'll look at the Little Giant Ladders.

I am wanting a ladder. I'm going to need it for some painting this summer, so more than just changing light bulbs. But that pole does look like a nice idea.

 

[blume357]

Not totally familiar with Little Giants... but do they make one that folded will allow you to reach up to 12-14ft?

My only experience with one of these was a while back... I was on a flat roof and put one against a chimney and was making sure the feet set right and the upper section unfolded and clunked me on the back of the head... I went down and saw stars and thought for a moment I was going to be on the national news... it was the chimney to the fireplace in the oval office. I'm not making this up.

12ft fiberglass step ladder is probably the best....

 

[contender]

I,, like blume,, use ladders a lot. I have about a dozen.
From 6' fold out step,, to 40 extension. I use different ladders for different jobs.

That said,, one of the milti-position, foldable types is an excellent type for indoor work, and storage. I use one and the biggest thing is to make sure that once you get it adjusted for the area you are going to work,, make sure the locks are all set in place & secure.
They are heavy,, but they can be quite handy for indoors & shorter (under 20 ft.) places.

 

[NikA]

I'll second the comments on here about multi-position ladders. I have a large one, perhaps the biggest practical size, that will allow me to work at roof height inside my barn that has 14' rolling doors with the ladder in A frame configuration. This configuration is especially nice if you're going to be working at the top for a while as you can swing your leg over to the other side of the ladder and sit down to take breaks. As others have observed, it's quite a heavy beast, and as such I have a 6' fiberglass ladder as well for small work around the house.

 

[Kevin]

Thanks to everyone for all the input. It’s very funny there are ladder reviews on YouTube. But I appreciate all the comments. I know a lot of you use ladders for your job. I only mentioned Blume as I’ve seen his vehicle at Contenders range.

I’m going to go with one of the Little Giant ladders. They make some of the multi position ladders out of fiberglass with a high weight rating and wheels.

Plus, it appears as if some of their models are are in the USA, looks like Utah!

 

[blume357]

Kevin, I approve.... if they make one that will 'A' fold to the point you can get to the lights 14ft up then go for it... as will all ladders just be sure it is stable and secure... believe me I know.

Anybody want to see the video of me falling off a roof?

 

[vito]

Not answering your question, but everybody with exposed bulbs in high ceilings ought to have
something like this.
https://docapole.com/products/dp30bulbchangerm_01?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIi9fH6t237gIVWxitBh2ebgdFEAQYAiABEgKSyvD_BwE

That said I like the better rated ( higher weight limit ) fiberglass ladders, do NOT like floppy
cheap ones.
Dave

I've tried various gadgets for changing recessed lighting bulbs in high ceilings, and all of them work well to some degree in trying to remove the dead bulb, but putting the new bulb in does not always work as well. Trying to screw the new bulb in is just as likely to lose the grip on the bulb as it is to overcome the friction in the light fixture, resulting in a bulb coming crashing to the floor.

I have 12 foot high ceilings in my kitchen, so I bought an aluminum 10 foot step ladder. Heavy but manageable even for an old guy like myself. But my living room has some recessed lights in the 16 to 17 foot sloped ceiling that I hardly use and have no idea how I would change those bulbs if needed. But I've only lived here for 15 years and the bulbs that were present when I bought the house are still working. I think I would need scaffolding or a scizzors lift.

The folding ladders are okay, but as already said, are very heavy. I had one that could be used as a six foot step ladder or 12 foot straight ladder, and if it were any bigger the weight would have made it more of a hassle than it would have been worth to me. I ended up giving it to my youngest son when he bought his first home.

FWIW, when I first married I bought the least expensive 6 foot step ladder that I could find for household chores. This aluminum ladder cost me about $10 if I recall. I still have it, and use it frequently, 54 years later.

 

[JackpineWillie]

I have a "Little Giant" and an eleven foot ceiling. It works for me but I think fourteen feet might be a stretch.

 

[toysoldier]

Not answering your question, but everybody with exposed bulbs in high ceilings ought to have
something like this.
https://docapole.com/products/dp30bulbchangerm_01?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIi9fH6t237gIVWxitBh2ebgdFEAQYAiABEgKSyvD_BwE

That said I like the better rated ( higher weight limit ) fiberglass ladders, do NOT like floppy
cheap ones.
Dave

I do small jobs for my 95-year-old aunt that her daughters can't manage. I've had to replace bulbs in recessed fixtures. My cousin purchased one of those bulb changers, but found that the bulb was frozen in the socket, and the pole, which screwed to lock in extension, would unscrew itself before it did anything to the bulb. Standing on a ladder, I could barely get a grip in the bulb, which broke away from the base. I had to use pliers to remove the base. I put a light film of machine oil on the base of the replacement bulb. Architects who specify recessed fixtures in cathedral ceilings should be shot.

 

[jgt]

What you need is a twelve foot folding fiberglass latter. They make three ratings. Green, yellow and red. You want the red. It is the strongest, rated for 300 lb load. It is also the most expensive. It is like buying reloading equipment. If you get the right one it will only hurt your pocketbook once. If you have time to shop, you can find used ones in the classifieds under tools or equipment headings. If you buy used, just make sure it is in good condition. Paint drippings are fine. Cracks or damage is a no go. I bought my ten and twelve foot ladders used and they have been fine for decades. They are what we used at work, so it is what I wanted at home. Never, never, never stand on the top of one. If you have to do that, the ladder is too short. Good luck.

 

[gramps]

I think architects who design recessed lights should be hung! Make the punishment fit the crime. My ceiling on the farm is 10 foot. All the lights are in chandeliers, so my six foot fiberglass step ladder works just fine. Outdoors I have an 10 ft extension ladder. When I lived on the lake with 16 foot vaulted ceilings, there were no recessed lights! I still had a 15 foot extension ladder for painting the outside. It only had lamps that worked off a light switch grrr. A major irritant for me, and that is another story.
gramps