Can I safely modify this ladder?

[jhynesrockmtn]

I bought this podium ladder at Home Depot on line to use in my shop. I was between the 14ft and 12ft reach versions. Of course this one is too tall by a foot. The next size down would be too short (I think) . My shop ceiling is 14 feet and this one puts my head too close.

Can I safely cut 1 foot off of the ladder to customize the length assuming I can re attach the feet?

My other option is to return it and try the 12 ft. reach version but I do think 2 ft. shorter is too short.

Of course these are on line only.

[Esel Mann]

There should be a way to check height specs under the product spec tab. You may need to go to the manuf. site if home repo doesn't have the specs.

[A930Rocket]

Not sure about that ladder, but I once had an extension ladder that was too tall and I had to cut the legs off so it wouldn't rest on the glass of a window. Got my mitre box out and cut a foot off each leg. Worked like a charm.

[John Rogers]

If you decide to cut it, do it at the bottom and make sure the bottom angles are all exact. I would then brace the "new bottom" with the same braces and such as original then have a friend try it out without telling him/her what you did (if your home owners insurance covers it). May not if they find out it was modified.

[masraum]

Fiberglass uprights?

I would think it might be OK, but if it ever came down to a lawyer because someone was injured and you'd probably be screwed.

Certainly don't tell them that I told you that it would be fine. I didn't even sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night!

[wdfifteen]

First thing I would do is try the 12' to be SURE you can't use it. Cutting that down re-drilling and re-riveting the feet and the braces is going to be a pain.

[stomachmonkey]

Fiberglass?

I own one, I will not buy another.

Steel is real, fiberglass can kiss my ass.

Yes, i just made that up and yes it is terrible but I have my reasons.

[wdfifteen]

Steel? Metal ladders of that size are usually aluminum.
But nothing rhymes with "aluminum"

[oldE]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

Steel? Metal ladders of that size are usually aluminum.
But nothing rhymes with "aluminum"

How about "condominium "?
I'm surprised no one has suggested you rebuild the garage to raise the ceiling.

Seriously though, I would have just modified it long before I came here.

Best
Les

[dad911]

If it was personal, used only by me, I would modify it. For my company, or employees the liability is too great.

I would have employees rent or buy tools before I brought in tools from home. Too many examples of employers being held personally responsible for employee f-ups and carelessness.

Buy the shorter one, and a pair of platform shoes?

[Esel Mann]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

First thing I would do is try the 12' to be SURE you can't use it. Cutting that down re-drilling and re-riveting the feet and the braces is going to be a pain.

I'm of your thought, select the proper tool for the job. However this thread clearly has a strong 'best contender for Macgyver of the year' headwind that is growing

To that, presuming the OP were to ensure those gusset thingies of the first rungs (plus feet) were transferred to the new first rung, what if screws plus nylock nuts were used in place of the rivets to avoid any possible issues with home/hand rivet and riveting quality?

[motion]

If this was me, I would cut off the legs. I would cut too much off, of course. Then, I would find an Amazon box and set the ladder on the box and climb up it to do the job. Then, I would haul the ladder to the dumpster with a smug look.

[black73]

Originally Posted by jhynesrockmtn

I bought this podium ladder at Home Depot on line to use in my shop. I was between the 14ft and 12ft reach versions. Of course this one is too tall by a foot. The next size down would be too short (I think) . My shop ceiling is 14 feet and this one puts my head too close.

Can I safely cut 1 foot off of the ladder to customize the length assuming I can re attach the feet?

My other option is to return it and try the 12 ft. reach version but I do think 2 ft. shorter is too short.

Of course these are on line only.

How tall are you? The ladder in your picture has the platform at ten feet, give or take an inch or two. (Known as ten foot podium ladder.) Next size down would have the platform at eight feet, which would put a six foot tall man bumping his head on a fourteen foot ceiling.

[jhynesrockmtn]

I'm going to cut it. The platform on mine is at 8. I played around with it today and two feet down and it is too short to effectively get to my ceiling and top of the walls. Right now it is a foot to tall. They don't make a 7 foot podium. I might need to buy some new tools to do a good job on this :-)

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by John Rogers

If you decide to cut it, do it at the bottom and make sure the bottom angles are all exact. I would then brace the "new bottom" with the same braces and such as original then have a friend try it out without telling him/her what you did (if your home owners insurance covers it). May not if they find out it was modified.

Naw...cut 1' off in the middle of each leg, butt them together and a couple wraps of duct tape... done! Much easier, and perfectly safe to do the modification this way imo.

But I wouldn't use it

Maybe not....ask Dipso...

[ossiblue]

Would it be feasible to move the platform down one rung? Can't tell from the photo but drilling and rerevitting might be easier.

[wdfifteen]

I'm kind of cowardly about these things. If I absolutely HAD to have a 13 foot ladder I would start with a 12 and build leg extensions. Prolly cut 4 one-foot pices of 2x4 and 4 three foot pieces. Sister a short piece flush on the end to each long piece with bolts, then bolt one of these to each ladder leg, with the leg resting on the one-foot piece and bolts attaching the remaining two-foot section to the outsides of the ladder legs. It's cheap and Way faster than cutting a long ladder down.

[CurtEgerer]

Are you sure you can't improvise somehow instead of wasting time modifying the ladder?

[porsche4life]

Send it back, pick up a used scissor lift on Craigslist.

[porsche4life]

To answer the question in the OP, yes theoretically. In fact Warner ladders has you cut the first run off an extension ladder to install their ladder levelers...

If you do it just take your time and reinstall all the little braces and make sure there's no wobble.