Ladders get you up to one small work area at a time. Work platforms and scaffolds provide for far better maneuverability and range of motion. Some have wheels for quicker adjustment.
Drywall stilts are exactly what they sound like – stilts that make it easier to hang drywall at taller heights. And they make sense, too. For hanging or finishing drywall, where you might only spend a small time working at each area, a ladder will slow things down.
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Mobile platforms might work better, but the ones with wheels are quite large, and might not be appropriate for certain work environments, such as residential.
Pentagon Tools seems to be a popular brand. Their drywall stilts – several sizes are available – are made from aluminum and are height-adjustable. They have rubber soles and springs to “allow flexibility and prevent from sliding.”
Their stilts, at least the ones I’ve seen, have a 228 lb weight capacity. Their website doesn’t mention load capacities, but all the ones I’ve seen on retailers’ product pages mention the 228 lb rating.
Pentagon Tools’ drywall stilts come in different colors, perhaps so that you could have different sizes for different tasks.
Price: ~$85+
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I’ve never used drywall stilts before, but I can definitely see the potential benefits. I’ve seen these for sale before, never in use.
If you work with drywall, what do you think about these stilts? Are they as useful as they look to be?
Philip
I used them for years. If you’re doing drywall all day every day, they are a must have.
John
Not my line of work but have witnessed them being used for drywall work. Appeared to be invaluable for the person using them on higher walls and ceilings. Word of warning. If you start to fall there is no way to stop yourself. On the same job another hand who was not a drywall guy strapped them on while on lunch to try them out. Fell and busted his forearm.
Milwaukee tool Steve
Well my advice for beginners is to start the lowest spot on your drywall stilts, never walk on uneven ground watch your step electrical cords and miscellaneous things on the ground can be a problem if not paying attention, start on soft grounds so don’t walk on concrete, also consider staying near walls incase you do lose your balance and one more thing stay on the the main floor when beginning stilts the last thing you want is to fall 3 stories up and break a neck. once you have mastered walking on the stilts then your set to mud, and personally I’ve been on them millions of times and have never fallen.
Ken
They seem like a good idea but what happens if you fall.
Shane
You hit the ground.
BikerDad
Drywall stilts: Now there’s a tool begging for some additional technology. Imagine adding the Segway’s gyroscopic functionality to help prevent falls….
Ken
John answered my question
fred
We’d only do small touch-up jobs ourselves – preferring to farm out anything larger than a small room to a Drywall sub. Watching his guys work was very satisfying – just like watching a good mason, paperhanger or tile setter. There is a fluidity to the work – with or without stilts. On some really big warehouse jobs – seeing the crews with the automated taping machines like the Level-5 stuff was also amusing:
http://www.amazon.com/Level-Automatic-Drywall-Taping-Stilts/dp/B00N5U102E
Wayne Ruffner
I’ve used them to do long wire runs in new construction. They’re a lot easier to use than I’d thought. Though I was glad, when I was new to them, for open walls & ceilings to grab to keep from falling.
Milwaukee tool Steve
Yes I own 5 pairs of drywall stilts they are a must have for any large mudding job, they can expand and contract and can keep your balance very well the ones I use are 24 in. to 40 in. Magnesium Adjustable Drywall Stilts by ToolPro, which are pretty well made ive used mine for 3 years and there still in decent shape considering what I use them for… but anyways some drywall stilts and other drywall material are on sale at home depot.
http://www.homedepot.com/SpecialBuy/SpecialBuyOfTheDay
garrick
I have a friend who uses them. But for worker compensation reasons, he will only work on job sites that have curtains over the windows.
Pete
I was curious about that as well. In insurance eyes i cant step on a chair to reach something but i can strap my feet to 24-40″ weights and walk around with air and power lines on the floor… Seems like insurance and osha would have banned them.
OhioHead
I have not used personally, I know they make hanging acoustic ceiling & grid easy and would see on the job site when delivering Armstrong tile & grid on commercial sites……..
Matt
Marshalltown Skywalker 2. Best stilts. Once you’ve used them you’ll never use anything else. Use them for roughing in. SOOOOOOOOOOOO much faster and easier than a ladder.
Tom
Those stilts have been completely discontinued. Better stock up on parts.
cody
They ate great! But unless your going to use the everyday or often stay off them. They are not for beginners. Known too may guys hurt on them!#!!!