Is this a SAFE repair?

[ray66v]

I can't believe everyone is all for using a broken ladder! WTF?! :laughing:

Then you really should see what a lot of people out there have, and use, for ladders. This is nothing compared to what I see. :thumbsup:

 

[buck12]

Then you really should see what a lot of people out there have, and use, for ladders. This is nothing compared to what I see. :thumbsup:

My Dad used to spend quite a bit of China for business and had pictures of ladders and scaffolding of what appeared to be bamboo. Their ladders made the op's ladder look very safe. If it were me I would use the ladder.

 

[mjncad]

I would have drilled small holes at the end of each crack to stop them from spreading before adding the splint.

Whether you use it or not is up to you.

 

[Leroy Brown]

I'd use it too. It's in much better shape than my aluminum one.

 

[JDgreen227]

Test it with a load. Perhaps the crack is a symptom of general deterioration, indicating the ladder is ready to be junked.

I noted in the OP that the crack barely widened when I was on the ladder using it. Since I only go about two thirds of the way up, and the crack is higher than the distance I go up, it does not get much stress.

Others have noted that fiberglass ladders weather from exposure to the elements, I don't know where my father got this one from, but it appears it was one of those ladders you see mounted on the roof of a van or pickup top, you know, always in the weather. I have seen many ladders that appeared faded and weathered much worse than mine.

 

[ruren]

Our fire department ladders get tested every year.

Not trying to start an argument here but most Fire departments have the very Best Ladders and equipment as they should have and they use them way more the we would.But then remember they do not pay for them we do.
DevilDog

No, there is no comparison between a fire department ladder and the one we are discussing, the one I described was rated to carry three guys in full gear and a 2 1/2" hose full of water up 36 feet (and not just because taxes paid for it). The point I was trying to make is it was a very beefy ladder that looked perfectly sound except for a few dents and dings. Seeing it suddenly snap in half during testing made a strong point that minor damage (probably metal fatique or a small crack in that case) can make for a catastrophic failure in a ladder. Not something I would risk my butt over to save a few bucks. I still think the OP should retire dads ladder, hang it on the wall as someone mentioned if it has sentimental value, and get one that is safe. Especially if he is uncomfortable using it.

 

[rd_macgregor]

I'd use that ladder without a qualm... I have an aluminum one with a similar repair.
Google "bamboo scaffolding" for some nice pics and descriptions of this (to me) scary support method.

BOB

 

[LBrown59]

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).

the trouble with gravity is it's to easy to fall for it if you're not careful.

 

[two_bit_score]

Test it with a load. Perhaps the crack is a symptom of general deterioration, indicating the ladder is ready to be junked.

Best advice so far. :thumbsup:

 

[JDgreen227]

Best advice so far. :thumbsup:

Climbed it higher than I usually do today, and jumped up and down on the rungs, no wiggle at all...and just to be safe, I had THIS ladder shown in the attachments leaning against the same wall, next to me, just in case my repaired one failed and I needed a safe way to get down....

10 foot wood Industrial rated Holland, never been wet, no damage at all except for general dirt, no cracks....I am SURE it has to be safe....yeah, right....:laughing:

 

[ray66v]

Test it with a load.

You mean like send the wife up it??

 

[two_bit_score]

Climbed it higher than I usually do today, and jumped up and down on the rungs, no wiggle at all...and just to be safe, I had THIS ladder shown in the attachments leaning against the same wall, next to me, just in case my repaired one failed and I needed a safe way to get down....

10 foot wood Industrial rated Holland, never been wet, no damage at all except for general dirt, no cracks....I am SURE it has to be safe....yeah, right....:laughing:

I think I'd rather use the repaired fiberglass one than the wooden one. If you feel safe with it then it's your neck.

I have to say I have a fiberglass ladder that has a similar crack that I've never repaired but I still use the ladder for some light tasks. :ashamed:

 

[JDgreen227]

I think I'd rather use the repaired fiberglass one than the wooden one. If you feel safe with it then it's your neck.

I have to say I have a fiberglass ladder that has a similar crack that I've never repaired but I still use the ladder for some light tasks. :ashamed:

I have NEVER used that wood ladder, just dug it out of the barn to take pics so I could be a smarta-- here. To be honest, I think my uncle left it here back in '89 and never came back for it.

 

[two_bit_score]

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+.

I don't know about wooden but I bought a 1A fiberglass tripod ladder recently that I like a lot. Easy to get level since you only have three legs. That thingis very sturdy.

 

[mjncad]

You mean like send the wife up it??

:thumbsup::laughing:

 

[kdm0811]

Some of us perfer to not talk about our weight.

My wife simply insists that the Earth is just more attracted to her body than it should be.

 

[J_J]

Some of you must have climbed trees using 2 x 4's with one nail in the wood. I stilll see them in the woods where some kid wanted up in a tree.

I believe I would have done a fiberglass patch job, and made it stronger. Although what was done seems an excellent repair.

I don't know what testing was done on ladders, etc, but just what load was used to test a ladder and where on the ladder. Don't you think that every time you add testing weight that it affect s the ladder in some way, where as it might never break using normal weight.

I have never seen specs with ladder instructions that require additional testing on a regular schedule .

Some people just go to extreams with stuff like this. People are always fixing stuff.

As an analogy, they test hyd hose with about a 4 : 1 ratio, say 3000 psi normal operating pressure and 12,000 psi test pressure, and that is on a short piece of hose. The complete hose is not tested, just a sample. I don't think I would put that kind of pressure on my hose just to test it.

Some broken things just stay broken.

My chair is broken - fix it

My steel coupler is broken - weld it

My arm is broken - fix it

My wall is broken - patch it

My tire has as nail in it - fix it

My wife is broke - get rid of her.

My tractor is broken - You think the wife will let me get a new one.

My teeth are broken, fix them or get some new ones.

 

[JB4310]

Climbed it higher than I usually do today, and jumped up and down on the rungs, no wiggle at all...and just to be safe, I had THIS ladder shown in the attachments leaning against the same wall, next to me, just in case my repaired one failed and I needed a safe way to get down....

10 foot wood Industrial rated Holland, never been wet, no damage at all except for general dirt, no cracks....I am SURE it has to be safe....yeah, right....:laughing:

I would trust the fiberglass ladder up to it's 12 foot length. even though I don't really like or should say don't have much experience with fiberglass ladders, except 6 foot step ladder I carry on the truck daily.

That wood step ladder must be loose as a goose if it's been inside and dry for so long. looks like a good ladder just tighten up all the strut nuts etc.
Nothing wrong with a wood step ladder, I've got an 8 footer in great shape after 28 years. My first 40 footer was a hand me down wood ladder it was heavy but felt solid, not sure I would use a 40 foot wood ladder now though.

JB.

 

[BobRip]

Being paranoid here just for fun. I heard the ladder Was stored on a roof rack, typically in the sun. Does sunlight damage fiberglass? Maybe the whole ladder has weakened with age and light. End of paranoia, well no actually. Do a test and end the suspense.

 

[JB4310]

Being paranoid here just for fun. I heard the ladder Was stored on a roof rack, typically in the sun. Does sunlight damage fiberglass? Maybe the whole ladder has weakened with age and light. End of paranoia, well no actually. Do a test and end the suspense.

I think you have a legitimate concern,
I always thought UV exposure was probably not good for the long term service life of a fiberglass ladder. And your post made me do a quick google search.

http://www.wernerladder.com/catalog/files/rc81.pdf

Sure enough, there are some precautions to take with fiberglass, one article I read recommended against leaving one outside unprotected from sunlight for extended periods. That wouldn't cut it for me as I always have at least a couple ladders on the truck's ladder rack everyday.

JB