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07-24-2010, 09:14 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: NC
Posts: 66
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Wooden ladders vs fiberglass
Does anyone else prefer the old school wooden ladders ?
I know the fiberglass are lighter, but I think the wood ones are more stable. A fiberglass ladder will throw you if it isn't perfectly set up and situated.
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07-24-2010, 09:37 AM
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#2
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Chief Electron Relocator
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Cornpatch USA
Posts: 31,586
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Most pipefitters use wood because of their higher weight-carrying rating.
But, I'm an idiot and use aluminum ladders. 
__________________
In winter, why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?
Last edited by 480sparky; 07-24-2010 at 09:51 AM.
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07-24-2010, 09:40 AM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: NC
Posts: 66
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The ones I own are class 1A Industrial rated wooden ladders; I have a 6, 8, and 10 foot ladder each.. most contractor provided ladders are fiberglass lately.
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07-24-2010, 09:42 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: NASA
Posts: 7,521
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ampere
A fiberglass ladder will throw you if it isn't perfectly set up and situated.
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Buy better quality fiberglass ladders.
I find this brand very good.
http://www.greenbullladder.com/series2032.php
Weight rating of 375.
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07-24-2010, 09:49 AM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: NC
Posts: 66
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Badger
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Well.. As I was saying, I own wooden ladders.
The fiberglass ladders I wind up having to use are purchased by the contractor.. They typically don't consult me before making tool and equipment purchases.
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07-24-2010, 09:55 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: NASA
Posts: 7,521
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ampere
Well.. As I was saying, I own wooden ladders.
The fiberglass ladders I wind up having to use are purchased by the contractor.. They typically don't consult me before making tool and equipment purchases.
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Oh I suppose I should have known all that by mental telepathy, I will need to work on that. 
Sorry I tried to provide some help.
So back to the question ...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ampere
Does anyone else prefer the old school wooden ladders ?
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I am sure some do, I do not.
I prefer a 'new school' fiberglass ladder of high quality. I don't like any ladders that can throw me off and those come types can be found in any material, wood, aluminum or fiberglass.
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The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Bob Badger For This Useful Post:
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07-24-2010, 10:32 AM
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#7
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not a union thug
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 7,135
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ampere
Does anyone else prefer the old school wooden ladders ?
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No. They suck.
Old geezers and weirdos use wooden ladders. Pros use fiberglass.
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The Following 8 Users Say Thank You to electricmanscott For This Useful Post:
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07-24-2010, 10:39 AM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: NC
Posts: 66
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Badger
Oh I suppose I should have known all that by mental telepathy, I will need to work on that.
Sorry I tried to provide some help. |
Not a problem.. I've used several, including the one you listed.. just generally speaking, wooden ladders have been more stable in my experience.
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07-24-2010, 10:40 AM
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#9
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Pure Evil
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Presque Isle, Maine
Posts: 5,268
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Get taller helpers and the point is moot. 
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07-24-2010, 10:41 AM
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#10
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Chief Electron Relocator
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Cornpatch USA
Posts: 31,586
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Quote:
Originally Posted by drsparky
Get taller helpers and the point is moot. |
Or you could wear high heels.
I haven't seen wood ladders in the stores and supply houses for years.
__________________
In winter, why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?
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07-24-2010, 10:56 AM
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#11
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Bababoee
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 7,695
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Quote:
Originally Posted by electricmanscott
No. They suck.
Old geezers and weirdos use wooden ladders. Pros use fiberglass.
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 I would love to pull a wet 8 footer of the top of my van..... and drag it through a customers home...
__________________
Full time Bovine Scatologist.
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07-24-2010, 10:58 AM
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#12
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Chief Electron Relocator
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Cornpatch USA
Posts: 31,586
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Quote:
Originally Posted by captkirk
I would love to pull a wet 8 footer of the top of my van..... and drag it through a customers home... |
When it's 30 below.  And it snowed 28" last night. 
__________________
In winter, why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?
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07-24-2010, 11:05 AM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: NC
Posts: 66
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Quote:
Originally Posted by captkirk
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I work industrial and commercial; I don't have to worry about anyone's house.
Most the high work is on a Genie scissor lift anyway.
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07-24-2010, 11:27 AM
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#14
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Wire Ninja
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Beautiful Cumberland Valley, in PA
Posts: 16,794
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My shorter ladders are all wooden, and I prefer it that way. For the weight to sturdiness ratio, I happen to like wood ladders the best. 10 foot and higher, I'm on fiberglass. The tall ladders you move much less often than 6's and 8's, so that's why my 4, 5, 6, and 8 footers are mostly all wood.
__________________
One reason not to give DIY advice:
Catch a man a fish and you can sell it to him.
Teach a man to fish and you’ve ruined a good business opportunity.
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07-24-2010, 12:07 PM
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#15
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Bababoee
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 7,695
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I feel perfectly stable on a good fiberglass ladder but I guess its ok if your a retro bate.
__________________
Full time Bovine Scatologist.
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07-24-2010, 12:10 PM
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#16
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Wire Ninja
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Beautiful Cumberland Valley, in PA
Posts: 16,794
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Quote:
Originally Posted by captkirk
I feel perfectly stable on a good fiberglass ladder but I guess its ok if your a retro bate.
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I had a wooden ladder out a few weeks ago in an office, and a man commented, "boy, that's an oldie". That ladder wasn't even 2 years old.
__________________
One reason not to give DIY advice:
Catch a man a fish and you can sell it to him.
Teach a man to fish and you’ve ruined a good business opportunity.
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07-24-2010, 05:54 PM
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#17
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Chief Electron Relocator
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Cornpatch USA
Posts: 31,586
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Badger Bob
Mr bob badger has no idea what he is babbling about
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...........
__________________
In winter, why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?
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The Following User Says Thank You to 480sparky For This Useful Post:
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07-24-2010, 06:27 PM
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#18
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Spark
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Tasmania, Australia
Posts: 535
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I didn't even think they made wooden ladders anymore. The only guys down here that use wooden steps are the really old blokes that should have retired years ago, or the really old blokes that did retire but have since made a not so successful comeback.
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07-24-2010, 09:14 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: US
Posts: 104
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I've never liked wooden ladders, they rock back and forth too much. After some use, they rock further, then further. I worry that one day they will just keep going all the way over.
I like 300lb. rated fiberglass ladders. As long as you take the extra second to make sure all 4 legs are flat on the ground, it's the most sturdy ladder platform, in my opinion.
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07-24-2010, 09:27 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: CA/MI
Posts: 4,396
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I'd never touch a wooden ladder again, to many bad memories of a wet double side 14' A frame wooden ladder. I still have nightmares. I love my fiberglass 4'.
__________________
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