working up a ladder is ETS EC 125 one handed?

[PreferrablyWood]

Hello
I'm going to do a job working up a ladder up about 3 meters which means one handed operation. The ro 150 is probably too heavy and unbalanced for the job. So I'm about the buy the ETS EC 125 which seems to be the one handed sander with the best ergonomics. Any points to consider or other solutions?

Thanks in advance for any help..

 

[AlexThePalex]

I work up a ladder with the RO150......

 

[PreferrablyWood]

Thanks for the info. I can just as well give it a try before buying. It's after all getting to be somewhat crowded with all the festools I own now.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Just for ease and safety I always thread my hose+cord through 2 or 3 steps of the ladder on top where I work. That takes care of all the weight.

So I work on a ladder even with the RO150 and the RAS, and with the smaller sanders it is of course a lot easier.

 

[PreferrablyWood]

Hello Alex

Thats a good tip about the hose. I think I'll invest in a better ladder too, seems the more logical thing to do.

 

[nvalinski]

If you are going that high with a 5", why not the hybrid cordless sander so you can ditch the hose? The ETS EC is very comfortable though for that type of work otherwise.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I think I'll invest in a better ladder too, seems the more logical thing to do.

Yes, that is very wise. I can't stand those flimsy ladders aimed at the hobbyist/homeowner market, I don't feel safe on them. I invested in a good professional ladder too. Quite a bit heavier, but also so much sturdier and safer. It's your life up there.

 

[Bob D.]

A sturdy ladder (Type1 or 1A) and keep your belt buckle between the rails.  [big grin]
If you do then you center of gravity will be mostly over the ladder and
you'll be safer. Reaching out to get the last inch or two has killed too many.  [eek]

 

[PreferrablyWood]

A sturdy ladder (Type1 or 1A) and keep your belt buckle between the rails.  [big grin]
If you do then you center of gravity will be mostly over the ladder and
you'll be safer. Reaching out to get the last inch or two has killed too many.  [eek]

It's a new ladder first then The thing I hate about the present ladder is it's steps are too narrow which is tiring to stand on and the lade itself is too light duty for anything more than light trimming af climbing roses or changing light bulbs. Then try the RO 150 with Alex's tip about the cord. I had a bad accident on a ladder very early on in my working career and have since been very interested in preventing something similar ever happening again. So the belt buckle advice is a new way to put a safety tip.

 

[PreferrablyWood]

If you are going that high with a 5", why not the hybrid cordless sander so you can ditch the hose? The ETS EC is very comfortable though for that type of work otherwise.

Yes I had thought about the cordless but on the other hand I'm really sensitive to dust, the material I'll be sanding is glue laminated and with stained that is some 40 years old so I'd prefer optimal dustextraction.

 

[oldie]

Agree about using proper 'commercial/trade' ladders.  I like reasonably wide 'D' shaped rungs, with plenty of room for stout supportive boots - stops feet getting tired; in this context, would also consider one of those little 'platforms' that can fitted to ladders to stand on. 
I would never, ever 'tie' myself to the ladder!  If the ladder goes - you go. 
That said (stating the obvious I know) the ladder should be soundly secured top & bottom - so it shouldn't be able 'twist' or fall over. 
Suppose, if getting really anal about safety - get a harness that is safely secured as well...  [scared]
Also, depending on access, would seriously consider scaffolding if lots to do - room for dust extractors, sandwiches, flasks, radio, newspaper etc.
Maybe one of those 'telescopic' ones if working height is ok.

Richard (UK)

 

[AlexThePalex]

I would never, ever 'tie' myself to the ladder!  If the ladder goes - you go. 

If the ladder goes, you go anyway, not?

..... so it shouldn't be able 'twist' or fall over. 

You'd be surprised what people do when they find a ladder in their way.

Once when I was working in front of my house on the sidewalk, a handicapped guy in an electric cart came by. Had my area marked with traffic cones, and he had all the chance to go around. But noooo, the guy goes FULL SPEED under my ladder. And of course, he grabbed a cord and I felt a good yank on my ladder, but luckily it didn't fell over. I got down as quickly as I could and I was both shaken and furious. You think I even got an apology? The $#@#@ starts to blame me for everything. Little invalid trying to get revenge on the world.

I've had more of these incidents, especially with bicycles, they ride on the sidewalk, go in the wrong direction, and go without even blinking an eye under your ladder. I've learned it is best to completely block the area.

Some people do not have common sense. They will risk your life just because they might be slightly inconvenienced.

 

[oldie]

Alex:  lol - you're absolutely right of course - the ladder goes and you go with it...
Think that's when I came up with my harness thoughts; that would just leave you hanging in thin air.

You make a good point about idiot people - fortunately, have never have experienced such stupidity - but did once have someone who seemed to think was funny to vigorously shake ladder; was getting quite concerned (reckon he'd had too much to drink) - however, someheard me shouting at him and sorted him out... and then calmed me down

Richard (UK)

 

[PreferrablyWood]

Just a follow up I'm into the project I described in the OP and I went out and bought two ladders. The Jumbo little giant leveller that gets me to 2.7 m  in  A frame configuration and 5.7 m as straight latter. And an extremely sturdy Wibe 90P platform ladder that has a 40cm square platfom at 90 cm height.

I'm ending up using the RO 90 for most of the work higher up the structure and the RO 150 for the larger dimensions structural elements when working from ground level. The metabo 80cm for a lower profile machine where access is tight.

 

[Euclid]

... especially with bicycles, they ride on the sidewalk, go in the wrong direction, and go without even blinking an eye under your ladder.

Don't get me started on people who cycle on sidewalks... no ladders involved, but my mother was brought down and very seriously injured by someone doing just that.

 

[mkasdin]

I have the little giant with leveling feet I got at Lowe’s. It’s fantastic. I have the platform that fits on the rung and has an optional part to convert to scaffolding which I don’t own. Try to Turn the power down on the sander, so if the sander does catch on a nail, knot, flashing it won’t kick out as hard and send you off the ladder. I would probably skip the dust collection and stay upwind  or use a the small bag. Also don’t put anything pointy in a back pocket like a speed square. If you fall you don’t want that impaling. I have the Pro5 sander and that’s the sander that got away from me and I momentarily lost my balance on the ladder . I was only 7-8 feet off the ground on a janky step ladder. I’ve done similar close calls with the RO150, so I only use that above ground level when I’m on scaffolding. If your job is just a day or two and the ground is flat and you’re 15 feet off the ground I would look into scaffolding?? 18 feet I’m going with a ladder.

 

[PreferrablyWood]

I feel very safe both on the Wibe 90 p platform ladder, which gets me at my most used working height for this particular job and the Little giant leveller. I only use the RO 90 when I'm on the ladders as the RO 150 is too powerful and heavy to work safely at height from a ladder imo. The RO 90m really tears through the work though so I really don't need the larger sander anyways. It's also very useful that the RO 90 has the interface pad which makes sanding the curved inner surface of the arch a breeze.

I only work at height when I feel fresh and alert. I use the sheathed hose and loope it through the rung below the top of the ladder. The dust is really awful from sanding this old structure so I could not manage without the vacuum and a mask I also use goggle and earmuffs, this is cumbersome so I take frequent breaks.

Good tip about not having any sharp objects in the pockets which I follow as a usual practice.

 

[mkasdin]

I feel very safe both on the Wibe 90 p platform ladder, which gets me at my most used working height for this particular job and the Little giant leveller. I only use the RO 90 when I'm on the ladders as the RO 150 is too powerful and heavy to work safely at height from a ladder imo. The RO 90m really tears through the work though so I really don't need the larger sander anyways. It's also very useful that the RO 90 has the interface pad which makes sanding the curved inner surface of the arch a breeze.

I only work at height when I feel fresh and alert. I use the sheathed hose and loope it through the rung below the top of the ladder. The dust is really awful from sanding this old structure so I could not manage without the vacuum and a mask I also use goggle and earmuffs, this is cumbersome so I take frequent breaks.

Good tip about not having any sharp objects in the pockets which I follow as a usual practice.

I say that because I knew a guy that was doing fascia on a housing tract back in 1984-1985 and he fell off the roof and the speed square was in his carpenters pouch sitting by his back, Im not sure what happened to him but he was out of work and got badly hurt.