Opinions on ladders?

[purplepickup]

A while back I was on my aluminum extension ladder when it came apart. Luckily I wasn't up very high nor did I get hurt too bad. It broke some vinyl siding when it fell tho. It was a hand-me-down ladder that had been abused and I always had to fight with it to get it extended.

Now I'm shopping for a new ladder so I thought I'd ask for opinions. I was thinking about getting a 300 lb rated fiberglass extension ladder but while shopping I looked at the aluminum type that you can make into scaffolding and other shapes. I'm thinking it would be real handy but don't know anything about the pros and cons. Has anyone had any experience with these that would like to share their opinions?

This is the one I'm wondering about http://www.wernerladder.com/newprods/mt.php The MT-22 is on sale for $169 at Menards right now.

[madjack]

...Purple, I have the Gorilla ladder, purchased from Lowes...17@$139 (the 22'er was 199)...virtually the same as the one you posted. I really it. It is easy to move around when folded and very stable in either the folded or extended mode, I have not used it taken apart as scaffoldin yet.The price you posted is hard to beat on a really good ladder.
madjack

[Guest]

George,
I only use Werner and Louisville fiberglass ladders.
I only buy the IA type. I don't scrimp when it comes to ladders, can't afford to be laid up.
I've tried the conversion type of scaffolding/ladders and they just didn't cut the mustard for me. If I need scaffolding I rent it.
A real handy item to have for an extension ladder is one of those bullhorn attachments with padded tips. The side of the building doesn't get marred from the ladder, but most important... the bullhorn gets you away from the face of the wall, giving you more room to work.

[february1966]

I have the gorilla ladder that mad jack is talking about.

pros: lots of uses, very stable (gorilla brand has flared ends)

cons: harder to put up than a regular extention ladder (you can't just slide it up or down, you have to get it down and then fold it up)

I have used it for alot of projects, but using it as scaffolding to paint the stairwells mad it worth its cost.

[sedanman67]

I qualify as "big" and am not too comfortable on most ladders. I bought a Little Giant and am VERY pleased with it. Yeah I know, Gorillas are less expensive but I liked the Little Giant.

[Nitetimes]

I've used a few different kinds of those, they all worked rather well for what they are for, no complaints there. My only real complaint about all of them was they are comparatively heavy and bulky to move around inside, they are definitely the best thing going for stairs and slopes outdoors. I always keep a 6 foot aluminium step ladder handy for inside work. Up high, only Werner heavy duty extension ladders, not afraid of hieghts and I can even over look the falling but that sudden stop at the bottom really sucks. Don't scrimp on extension ladders!!!

[purplepickup]

Thanks for the opinions guys. I misread the "sale". It is a dollar per foot rebate. I got the 22' folding ladder for $189 ($167 with rebate). The various features will come in handy, especially at my cabin where I have to treat the logs every few years. The scaffolding setup and ability to be used on uneven ground will work great there. Some of the configurations will also come in handy while working in the cathedral ceiling area too. I like that it folds up fairly small for carrying and storage. I played with it a little yesterday and it seems a little bit of a hassle to unfold and figure out how to reconfigure it but I'm sure that will become easier as I get more familiar with it.

I was talking to my mom about getting it and she said that since my dad died she hasn't had any use for his extension ladder and I could have it, so now I have both. It's a good quality aluminum.