Bent Ladder

[whereswaldo]

I have a 'step-extension aluminum ladder' that just got a side rail bent. This ladder weighs less than 30 lbs and having a built in shelf it works just fine. It makes an 8' A-ladder that the back side can be put on stairs in an enclosed space. It becomes a 14' extension ladder. Wife bought it for me from Sears over 40 years ago but of course Sears today knows nothing about it. There were at least two versions; a 6' and my 8'. Any ideas? The weight is a big factor; I don't want Fiberglas and none of them have that built-in shelf. I can't find anyone willing to repair it. 'Liability'

 

[Sean Feeney]

may dad had the same one, some snaged it very very handy set up only one ever seen

 

[kcm.MN]

Depends on how badly the rail is bent. It's possible that the strength of the aluminum has been compromised, and bending it back, it would no longer support the load it originally did. If just a slight bend, try using a large pipe wrench (with padding so as to not mar the metal) to bend back into place.

Would be nice if you could post a pic. Aluminum, more than steel, really does not like to bend. Even minor bending can cause dramatic weakening.

I'd recommend finding a newer ladder of similar type, then fabricating a shelf -- possibly even using the shelf from the old ladder.

 

[Janicholson]

Straighten it out as best you can, then bolt a sheet of 1/8" 6061 T6 aluminum over the bent area with 10/32 bolts placed at 2" spacing. Then you can assume all risks personally. I fix my own ladders, but not other peoples. Aluminum folds up like foil when bent outside of its original engineering. Jim

 

[whereswaldo]

Yeah, it does look like mine. Handy as you can lean it against a wall and raise it higher with ONE hand. Son in Kaw has a 'Little Giant' that needs a giant just to move. I think I'll give the wrench a try. Can't find another ladder like that and I've looked (online) for a couple hours.

 

[jeffcat]

Be careful rebending it. My advice is take several wood blocks cut go presise fit and some really strong C clamps. Lay the ladder sideways on a wooden plank. Make a ladder sandwich out of everything and with those wood blocks and a dead blow hammer massage everything back into line. Easy does it. Aluminum, especially tempered, breaks really easy. Be careful about over bending past its original shape. Some very gentle heat can help or MELT it.

 

[David G]

Replace a ladder, not worth the risk.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

I was looking for a 20 ft extension ladder. Went to Menards and decided based on weight what ladder to buy.

Things are getting heavier because the govenment is seceretly increasing the value of gravity. Everyone will figure that out the older they get.

 

[MarkB_MI]

Little Giant makes a shelf accessory for their ladders. It's steel and it's strong enough to stand on.
Little Giant Work Platform

 

[whereswaldo]

Already there, Geo. Son-in-Law has a little giant ladder and while it's extremely stout it's also extremely heavy, even for him. Which is why he had MY ladder when it got ran over and bent.

 

[Russ from MN]

The place I retired from had a policy that any ladder that was damaged had to be destroyed, but I found someone to give me a scrap removal pass for a couple. They were all fiberglass, but I would bend up some thin aluminum and use lots of small bolts like Jim recommended. They work well for me, but I only weigh 170.

 

[whereswaldo]

I need to go fetch it and try the wood block and dead blow hammer method. I haven't looked closely at it and I don't believe it has caused any of the rungs to be broken at their welds. It just won't move beyond the twisted rail. I'm down to 200 lbs from a high of 235 last June. Another 50 and I'll be at my High School weight, lol.

 

[timcasbolt]

(quoted from post at 03:05:44 11/03/19) Replace a ladder, not worth the risk.

This is the only correct answer. Not the answer you wanted to hear, but you don't "fix" aluminum extrusions.

 

[WGM]

If you value your life and the lives of your loved ones you will destroy that ladder immediately. Before I retired I worked in the construction industry and whenever a ladder got damaged, no matter how minor, it was cut up and thrown in the dumpster.

 

[David G]

It is amazing the difference in attitudes towards safety from those of us that worked in the trades.

Maybe we have been assimilated to the masses.