little giant ladder - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Mike604 · 09-10-2007, 12:14 PM

is this ladder system any good or just a gimmick... need any feed back on it... for interior carpentry and exterior work only...

http://www.littlegiantladder.com/

RYANINMICHIGAN · 09-10-2007, 01:23 PM

they work. Heavy as all get out though.

liltrainerboy · 09-10-2007, 02:13 PM

i have one and it works great... u dont have to keep a ladder rack cause it fits every where

**Ed the Roofer** · 09-10-2007, 02:24 PM

It is very handy, especially if you are working on stairs for interior work or need access to an inside attic hatch and they are just plain darn sturdy, but expensive, but worth it.

Ed

mickeyco · 09-10-2007, 04:14 PM

I've got two of those type ladders and love them, a small one and a large one and they're a different brands than the little giant. They are Gorilla Ladder brand (I think they're quite similar to the little giant) and I got it at them at the local home center at a much lower price (about a $100 for the 17 footer) than the little giant, Gorilla also makes a fiberglass version.

http://www.gorillaladders.net

PressurePros · 09-10-2007, 05:03 PM

They definitely rock but like mentioned, deceivingly heavy. I bought a knock off at MAB Paints but it didn't have the 90 degree option for making a scaffold using a staircase.

mdshunk · 09-10-2007, 05:07 PM

I own one, but it would NEVER be my every day ladder. They're heavy. Very heavy. They're a very fine stairway ladder, which is what I reserve its use for. Stairways. For other purposes, there are better ladders. The Little Giant is worth it for stairways alone. If you use it for other purposes, it will do a fine job. I just pity you for moving it around.

Greg Di · 09-10-2007, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdshunk

I own one, but it would NEVER be my every day ladder. They're heavy. Very heavy. They're a very fine stairway ladder, which is what I reserve its use for. Stairways. For other purposes, there are better ladders. The Little Giant is worth it for stairways alone. If you use it for other purposes, it will do a fine job. I just pity you for moving it around.

Ditto that. Way too heavy to use unless you really need it. That being said, I've gotten that damn thing into some weird places no other device would work.

Werner makes a verson that is half the cost of the LG and works identically.

RobertCDF · 09-10-2007, 07:49 PM

I have the one from HD... Gorilla or Husky not sure what one. I like it a lot it is well worth the money for it. Although I dont think I would pay what LG wants for one.

MechanicalDVR · 09-10-2007, 09:27 PM

I have the Werner version in the smaller size (5' A frame), I use it as an everyday ladder, yeah it is heavy but for putting it on my tool cart and bringing it into a office building in an elevator with other people it works out great for me. I also find you can set one side up on furniture to get into drop ceiling of occupied spaces that would be impossible with a normal A frame. I like the way the rungs form a lip you can rest conduit or threaded rod on for cutting. I hang my tool or hardware pouch on the side knob which is real handy. I will never go back to a normal 6' A frame.

Mike604 · 09-12-2007, 08:37 AM

thanks for all the replies, the weight thing is an issue for me due to the fact of my useage for me, but it sounds to be a good allround ladder minus the weight..

this site rocks.....

varybarry · 09-12-2007, 10:22 AM

I know this is a little late, but I've use a little giant ladder since I've opened my business and it has been a great asset. The only thing I can complain about, as others have said, is that it is abnormally heavy.

MechanicalDVR · 09-12-2007, 05:55 PM

I thought the metal one was heavy until I picked up a fiberglass one yesterday, talk about hernia material.

WNYcarpenter · 09-12-2007, 06:48 PM

The Little Giant is a staple for us. For interior work not so much. I like a two step werner for interior trim, or I borrow the electricians' light a-frame when they're not looking

. For exterior work from 6-20' IMO they're indispensible. If you're indoors, outdoors and everywhere else I think they're a lot more practical than carrying an assortment of ladders.

**joasis** · 09-12-2007, 08:49 PM

Sam's Club sells the less expensive Little Giant model, and a Gorilla ladder...I went with a few of the Gorillas simply due to the weight......blows my mind the number of infomercials I have seen on the LG and the finance plan to own one....finance a ladder?

erik123 · 09-21-2007, 08:32 PM

got mine AT SAMS Club also. I love it. Its my everyday ladder. I figure the weight is a extra bonus workout everytime I pick it up!

MechanicalDVR · 09-21-2007, 08:40 PM

I just saw the Gorilla ladder at HD today, it's $100. Looks pretty decent to me, almost bought one but I was in a hurry.

daArch · 09-21-2007, 08:45 PM

I own a 5' - 9' (18' as ext) LG type 1-A. yes heavy, but SOLID. I have used the lighter type 1, Yes a lot lighter, but I still like the sturdiness of the 1-A.

A fellow hanger has a Gollia 4' - 7'. It's just not as smooth operating as the original LG.

I have no experience with the Werner knock off.

One fellow hanger swears by his Werner 5-way. Says it's perfect for stairs. I've ordered one (can we ever have TOO many tools <G>)

If you get an LG and expect to use it in stairs, buy TWO (not one) leg leveler. Installed paper in two curved stairwells this summer and REALLY needed a second leg leveler - had to use blocks instead.

these types of ladders are worth every penny.

BigMikeB · 09-22-2007, 05:07 PM

I have the little giant that opens to like 17', other than my 36' its the only ladder on my truck.

mdshunk · 09-22-2007, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMikeB

I have the little giant that opens to like 17', other than my 36' its the only ladder on my truck.

Yeah, but you're handle is "Big Mike", so you've probably got guns too!

I only weigh about 165, and the heaviest thing I like to lift is a pair of pliers.