Is this a SAFE repair?

JDgreen227 · Oct 3, 2011

Guys, I know we are all advised to NEVER try and repair a ladder, but I am very attached to this as it was my dad's at one time. It is the bottom section of what was formerly a Type 1A Louisville 24 foot fiberglass extension ladder. Have no idea where the top section is....

My brother borrowed it last month, and the side rail about two thirds of the way off was hit with something, so it is slightly cracked. One pic shows the damage. I use this ladder ONLY for gutter cleaning, and at no time is my 175 pounds at the top of the ladder, only about 2/3rds of the way up. Even then, the crack barely spreads.

I used a pair of steel angles to repair it, cutting out the sides to fit around the rungs snugly. The bolts a 1/4 inch grade 5, with locknuts. It is braced both inside and outside now.

So tell me, would you have any misgivings about using this ladder? Thanks.

RoyJackson · Oct 3, 2011

JDgreen227 said:
So tell me, would you have any misgivings about using this ladder? Thanks.

I'd use it...

grsthegreat · Oct 3, 2011

I Also wouldnt be worried about it.....if i were only 175#. But those days are long gone HAHA.

devildog1 · Oct 3, 2011

If it was me, just like Roy I too would use it.
DevilDog

johnrex62 · Oct 3, 2011

I won't scare you with pictures of some of the ladders I had to use in the past. Let us just say your patch is more substantial than any of those ladders I referenced from my past.

grsthegreat · Oct 3, 2011

Ever been on one of those wooden tripod ladders..now THEY are scary. Especially a 14 foot tall one

Treemonkey1000 · Oct 3, 2011

Hey I like those wooden tripod (orchard) ladders. I would use that ladder as well. I'm 150lbs soaking wet. Throw on my climbing harness and spurs and saw brings me up to about 180+.

deereman75 · Oct 3, 2011

grsthegreat said:
Ever been on one of those wooden tripod ladders..now THEY are scary. Especially a 14 foot tall one

Any wooden ladder is scary if a lot of the steps are loose, and some of the brackets are broken/missing, and it is starting to rot.

SandburRanch · Oct 3, 2011

GOOD GAWD, when you see the aluminum one I use for gutters because it's light weight, that I repaired with a piece of aluminum angle, you, the wife and all the grand kids wouldn't be afraid to get on that one you repaired.:thumbsup:

hawkeye08 · Oct 3, 2011

Go ahead and use, but I would be cautious about loaning it out or letting others on it. It is one thing to accept the risk and use something yourself, but for someone else (or a friend of someone else) that does not fully understand the risk could get hurt (especially if they have the trouble with gravity that I have).