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Drywall stilts

CaptplaidCaptplaid Member Posts: 20,297 ✭✭✭
edited May 2009 in General Discussion
How hard is it to get the balance on drywall stilts. I'm looking at doing 3 ceilings and 2 are 10 foot.

Is it difficult to learn to balance on stilts or should I use scaffolding?
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Comments

  • HappyNanoqHappyNanoq Member Posts: 12,023
    edited November -1
    Just tuck the handle of a pogostick inside your belt - much more fun than stilts.
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  • AlpineAlpine Member Posts: 15,093 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If your not used to them, then stick with some saw horses and planks.
    ?The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.?
    Margaret Thatcher

    "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics."
    Mark Twain
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  • MarnerMarner Member Posts: 2,977
    edited November -1
    thought they were illegal???

    and I'm not referring to a sick bird...
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  • dongizmodongizmo Member Posts: 14,477 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Alpine
    If your not used to them, then stick with some saw horses and planks.



    +1
    Good way to break something that hurts....
    I'd use milk crates....
    Better yet, offer rugerniner some work, overhead drywall is a PITA...
    Don
    The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly, is to fill the world with fools.
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  • MVPMVP Member Posts: 23,453 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you are at all coordinated the stilts will work fine.

    They are as easy as walking normal except when you trip you have a lot farther to fall.

    I have a pair I use on everything over 8 feet. They really spped things up. You just have to plan ahead if you dont have a helper, because you wont be able to bend over and grab anything off the fllor. I always set the mud and tools on something high so its easy to grab the stuff I need.
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  • bamafanbamafan Member Posts: 4,011 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you have never walked stilts, I would use milk crates or something to that affect. Falling hurts real bad. Real bad. Very easy to break a bone or two. Don't ask how I know[B)]
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  • bigcitybillbigcitybill Member Posts: 4,903 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you're in decent shape it's easy. If it's your first time, remember you'll need a tall perch to start from. It's not like sitting in a chair putting on your shoes.
    You'll be using them on one of the lowest settings, and if you start to lose it you can reach for the ceiling or lean on a wall.
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  • LaidbackDanLaidbackDan Member Posts: 13,142 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Some of that circus or calliope music playing in the background might help.
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  • D1D1 Member Posts: 11,412
    edited November -1
    I really don't have a clue how easy or difficult they are, but I would pay to see you try them for the first time.
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  • arraflipperarraflipper Member Posts: 1,255 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I tried a pair for the first time in 50 plus years. They were adjusted out for short fellow to work on a ten foot ceiling. I got up on them and leaned on the wall and walked a little ways ready to catch myself on the ceiling. The more I looked at the concrete the harder it looked. Back to the wall and got off them, as I had a lot of work to do once the plastering was done, and I wanted to be able to do it.
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  • MMOMEQ-55MMOMEQ-55 Member Posts: 13,134
    edited November -1
    My ole butt uses them all the time. That being said, I have used them for maybe 30 years. The main thing to remember is keep all extension cords out of the way. If you step on one you will go for a ride. Stilts and round objects do not mix. It does take some getting used to. Try them out near a wall first so you can use the wall for a balance aid. In about an hour you will be running around on them if you have any coordination at all.


    One more thing, stay away from wet areas with them also. And remember that you are up a little higher that usual. If you fall you get hurt.
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  • CaptplaidCaptplaid Member Posts: 20,297 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by dano
    So....we have opinions ranging from very easy to very dangerous. [:D]


    Yeah, If I find a used pair, I think I might just ignore half these recommendations.[:p]
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  • spanielsellsspanielsells Member Posts: 12,498
    edited November -1
    Don't listen to these guys. Falling down is a part of life's experiences. Plus, you want to prepare for when you're really old and fall down and break a hip.

    Just think, if you fall down and break a hip now, then you'll have steel pins and stuff put in and you won't have to worry about breaking your hip later.
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  • quickmajikquickmajik Member Posts: 15,576 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by spanielsells
    Don't listen to these guys. Falling down is a part of life's experiences. Plus, you want to prepare for when you're really old and fall down and break a hip.

    Just think, if you fall down and break a hip now, then you'll have steel pins and stuff put in and you won't have to worry about breaking your hip later.

    [:D][:D][:0]


    If you fall, just remember not too land of your head. Actually I dont think it would be very hard after some practice... putting them on and standing up for the first time sounds fun..

    You could be Uncle Sugar in your local towns independents day parade this summer on the side.
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  • LesWVaLesWVa Member Posts: 10,490 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I found them very easy to use myself. It can be difficult to bend down to grab something below waist level. Say picking up sheet rock from the floor for example.

    So I will suggest something to you. Call around to the local rental places for a pair. Then try them out before you rent or buy a pair. 500 people can give you good and bad experiences with them. But only you can make the decision as to whither they will work for you or not.
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  • CaptplaidCaptplaid Member Posts: 20,297 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    MT%20Bench.jpg

    Stopped at one of gb.com's regular sellers store today and he had a pair of these. $180 a piece with a used pair of stilts for $80.

    I think I might stop by Saturday with some cash and see what I can do.

    The bench looks easier to use and much more utilitarian.

    This is my third drywall job and I need it to go quick, easy and fast. I'm willing to pay a little extra for what I don't have to make it so. I'm lining up some help and want everything available to make it work smoothly.
    drywall-bench-18-30-marshalltown-p-2378.html
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  • slipgateslipgate Member Posts: 12,741
    edited November -1
    I found a way easier than drywall stilts - hire someone to do the work for you.
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  • RugerNinerRugerNiner Member Posts: 12,636 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by slipgate
    I found a way easier than drywall stilts - hire someone to do the work for you.

    Was English their first language?
    Keep your Powder dry and your Musket well oiled.
    NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.
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  • SpartacusSpartacus Member Posts: 14,415
    edited November -1
    Capt, for the same price as that saw horse ($180) you can get this:

    http://www.rockwelltoolsdirect.com/jawhorse.html

    It's free shipping if you get two! makes for fast scaffolding.
    when they first came out there was an aluminum scaffold "plank" available, but I'm not seeing that anymore. theyre very sturdy and make a nice "work bench" as well. I got the plywood extensions and use them as supprts for the table saw.
    and they have a 30 day money back trial. so if you decide you don't like 'em after the job is done.....[;)]
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  • asopasop Member Posts: 8,944 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hire someone to do it. Believe me you'll be much happier when it's done.
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  • MaxOHMSMaxOHMS Member Posts: 14,715
    edited November -1
    Scaffolds for hangin
    stilts for tape/float

    you can do it
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  • AlpineAlpine Member Posts: 15,093 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Captplaid
    MT%20Bench.jpg

    Stopped at one of gb.com's regular sellers store today and he had a pair of these. $180 a piece with a used pair of stilts for $80.

    I think I might stop by Saturday with some cash and see what I can do.

    The bench looks easier to use and much more utilitarian.

    This is my third drywall job and I need it to go quick, easy and fast. I'm willing to pay a little extra for what I don't have to make it so. I'm lining up some help and want everything available to make it work smoothly.
    drywall-bench-18-30-marshalltown-p-2378.html


    I have a "Walk-up" (drywall bench). I thought it was expensive when I bought it new for $50.00. Best investment I ever made. And that was many moons ago.
    ?The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.?
    Margaret Thatcher

    "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics."
    Mark Twain
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  • fishkiller41fishkiller41 Member Posts: 50,608
    edited November -1
    Keep all drywall mud OF THE FLOOR! That stuff is slicker'n owl crapp.If u step in it, on stilts, your stilt will slip out so fast, u'll never know what hit'ya![B)]
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  • carbine100carbine100 Member Posts: 3,071 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Not hard to get used to. Clear the floor of any obstuctions (even small ones) before starting.
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  • owen219owen219 Member Posts: 3,799
    edited November -1
    Can you use them to squirrel hunt to get a closer shot????????
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