November 21, 2009
What do you think? Can I safely give my ladder a boost using a new homemade heavy duty picnic table ?
DigitalOne asked:
I recently received a folding gizmo ladder with max extension height of 18' 11 as a gift.
It's a great ladder that really strong cool will do most anything but put me on our 2 story roof top.
The approx vertical distance from the ground to the gutters is 19' maybe 20' straight up on our 2 story house.
I want to know if I can or should build a brand new heavy duty homemade picnic table 4' wide 8' long to safely give my ladder a boost ?
I'd like to brace the ladder feet against 2 2 x 4 thick across the width using 4 5/8 bolts to prevent sliding or skidding.
I'm guessing the 2 x 4 leg brace will need to be near the center of the table to prevent the table end from tipping up.
Ladder Safety Step
I recently received a folding gizmo ladder with max extension height of 18' 11 as a gift.
It's a great ladder that really strong cool will do most anything but put me on our 2 story roof top.
The approx vertical distance from the ground to the gutters is 19' maybe 20' straight up on our 2 story house.
I want to know if I can or should build a brand new heavy duty homemade picnic table 4' wide 8' long to safely give my ladder a boost ?
I'd like to brace the ladder feet against 2 2 x 4 thick across the width using 4 5/8 bolts to prevent sliding or skidding.
I'm guessing the 2 x 4 leg brace will need to be near the center of the table to prevent the table end from tipping up.
Ladder Safety Step
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Comments on What do you think? Can I safely give my ladder a boost using a new homemade heavy duty picnic table ?
5:43 pm
Ladder Safety Step
I wouldn't trust a picnic table, but I have placed an extension ladder in the bed of a pickup truck many times to get more height.
10:50 pm
Ladder Safety Step
I don't think that would be safe at all. When you are standing at the top of the ladder, the torque applied to the feet of the ladder would be a significant fraction of nearly 4000 ft-lbs (20 ft x 150 ~ 200 lbs) — which could easily topple or turn over your homemade picnic table. (Not all 4000 ft-lbs of torque would be applied – it depends on the sine of the ladder's angle to vertical.)
Falling from a 20 ft height will probably break some bones, and possibly worse.
My suggestion is to borrow or rent a ladder that is at least 3 or 4 feet taller than the maximum height you need to work at. The extra length will give you a secure handhold. You also should consider adding a ladder stabilizer at the top, to prevent side to side rotation, and give room to work around windows if needed.
Check this site for some incredibly dangerous ladder setups.
Here is an OSHA brochure on ladders and stairways.
7:09 am
Ladder Safety Step
a rental would save you a lot of trouble
11:58 am
Ladder Safety Step
I am an adamant DYIer but I would NOT try this. What I would do is exchange (if possible) the gizmo ladder for a good extension ladder that would safely reach the heights you expect to be working at. IE at least a 30' extension ladder. Or, keep the gift but do NOT try to use it to reach your 20' roof but buy or rent appropriate ladder or scaffolding when you do need to access your high roof.
Bert
10:50 am
Ladder Safety Step
You would plobably be ok ..I've done stupider things……then again….I limp…..