Advice sought on multi purpose ladders

[graduate_owner]

Hi all,
I'm thinking to buy one of those ladders that fold into 4 sections, making a stand off ladder, a platform, double sided stepladder etc. Argos sell one for about £150 and B&Q sell one for about £65. Anyone have any opinions on either, and is the Argos one worth the extra? Only for occasional DiY use.

K

 

[MattRoberts]

I have one that I got from Amazon. After a fair amount of use, I wouldn't actually recommend it.

It's good in step ladder mode, but there's far too much flex for me to feel confident on it when in platform or full extension mode. In hindsight, I wish I had got an actual step ladder and a dedicated full extension ladder

 

[fezman]

I got mine from Maplins when they were on offer (£50 i think). I would agree with Matt, they are OK in step ladder mode, not so sure about ladder mode.

I have used them as a small platform when lifting fence panes out of concrete posts e.g. /-------\, and they were ok, but a bit wobbly.

What they are though is super convenient. I can store them in the shed and have them out an up in about 1/3rd time it takes to get the ladders out.

 

[Doug71]

I have one made by Little Giant, bit more expensive but really heavy duty. To convert to a platform you have to split it into 2 "A" frames and put a plank on but as a ladder and step ladder it is brilliant, feels really solid and safe, top quality.

Think mine is the 4 rung Revolution XE

https://www.midlandladders.com/Little-g ... n-1-system

Doug

 

[n0legs]

Buy a ladder, steps or platform to suit each purpose.
I've worked at heights more times than I can remember and I've seen most of the styles and ideas from most of the manufacturers. We've tried loads over the years from clever and complicated to simply unsafe.
I'll ask you a simple straight forward question that our overhead instructor would ask the sales reps:-
"Would you put a hinge in a long ladder and still trust it when you're at the top?"

 

[galleywood]

I had one or a short while - I used it once in fully extended mode and twice in 'trestle' mode (when hedge trimming).
Two tread pages were included for use in 'trestle' mode - on the second (and last) occasion that I used it this way I somehow managed to assemble the plates wrong, resulting in one plate tipping and me falling with both feet between the rungs.
Luckily I was not injured ( apart from my pride) but the impact of my fall fractured the frame.
I still use each half as short ladders.
The T shaped ends give good stability.
If you get one , make sure that assembling of the tread plates is error proof.

 

[mbartlett99]

The expensive ones are pretty good - little giant, werner - but heavy. The cheap ones ... well its your life so crack on but

 

[Roughcut]

If you compare a Trade rated ladder to a DIY standard of ladder you will see why there is a difference in quality and price.
A Trade ladder will be reassuringly heavier but should still be manageable to move around.

 

[Stanleymonkey]

Got a small one from B&Q many years ago - still fairly solid. Packs down small enough to fit in the boot of the car and can be moved through doorways and into the loft easy enough.

Platform mode doesn't feel that stable. It's not very wide and you have to get lucky with finding level ground or it wobbles a lot. Metal plates they provide aren't that great.

Have never used it in stand off mode and don't think I ever would.

Quite good as steps and a straight ladder.

Got a larger on online for a longer reach. Quality quite poor and a lot of movement in the joints.

One thing to bear in mind is the rungs - no flats as they don't have a top or bottom. Can be quite uncomfortable as they are are fairly round and can dig into your feet. After ten minutes or so it can get quite painful depending on your size/weight/footwear