Thread: Warning about old steel tube type ladders

Originally Posted by MiddleAgesMan

Bummer about the cast.

I can't recall ever seeing a steel tube ladder up here. We have aluminum ones and fiberglass ones (wood, too) but never seen one made of steel. Are the tubes square sections? Welded, riveted?

Hi MiddleAgesMan,

The steel tube ladders I refer to have round cross section vertical tubes ( runners ) with shaped, ( pressed? ) steel steps welded to the runners, and steel plate hinge points/extension latch points welded to the runners, ( bolt and wing nut to secure ) and were common here before the aluminium types took over at least 20 years ago.

There are still quite a few steel tube ladders in use around here still ( I havn't seen any new ones for sale in at least 5 years ).

Originally Posted by Boatmik

Gravity Sucks.

(as Dr Karl puts it)

MIK

<sigh>
I like Dr Karl but often find myself at philosophical odds with him...

There's no such thing as gravity.

The earth sucks.

Hi everyone,

Just to let you know, I will be in the new cast ( swelling is much reduced now, but they found another hairline fracture in an adjacent ankle bone which is healing up nicely too ) for another 4 weeks, and I am still not allowed to put any weight on it, at least until after I see the doctor again.

Whatever you do try to avoid breaking any load bearing bones, it is definitely more hassle than it's worth, it gets so frustrating not being able to drive, or do many things you otherwise take for granted.

Originally Posted by dhgomm

Hi everyone,

Just to let you know, I will be in the new cast ( swelling is much reduced now, but they found another hairline fracture in an adjacent ankle bone which is healing up nicely too ) for another 4 weeks, and I am still not allowed to put any weight on it, at least until after I see the doctor again.

Whatever you do try to avoid breaking any load bearing bones, it is definitely more hassle than it's worth, it gets so frustrating not being able to drive, or do many things you otherwise take for granted.

I saw the new post and was scared I'd find out you'd been climbing ladders again

I really can not understand the attraction in breaking bones, it all seems like so much of a hassle

And I suppose that PDR is in just the wrong configuration right now for you to be able to work on her.

Richard

Hi Richard,

I can't imagine how I could sand my PDRacer back while still using crutches to get around on, and not being allowed to put any weight on my right foot - these circumstances also make it impossible for me to climb ladders or drive a car anytime for at least another 4 weeks.

The new cast is made of several layers of self hardening and glueing fibreglass strips ( takes about an hour to set - no mixing, no mess ) over a soft liner, it may be interesting to find out if this material could have construction uses for boats, such as the Quick Canoe.