Over at Home Depot, presumably as part of their PRO Black Friday 2017 sales event, there’s a heavy duty Gorilla Ladders aluminum work platform on sale.
It’s lightweight, weighing just 13 pounds, and slim when folded down, with a 3.4″ profile. The platform has a 47″ x 12″ non-slip standing area, and stands 20″ tall.
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It’s made from aluminum, and so are quick-action spring-loaded locks.
I have a couple of Gorilla Ladders products that they sent over last year – 2 work platforms, and a slim step ladder. I was skeptical at first, but have grown pretty fond of the brand and their products.
I will need a taller ladder to install things to my garage ceiling, but the (5′?) step ladder has handled much of my needs this past year. As for the platforms, I’ve used them for everything from temporarily storing boxes of spare tiles, to breaking ice out of my lower gutters during a crazy week last year.
When I first received the test samples they sent, I was disappointed at having received the lower capacity ladder and step ladder. I received a heavier duty platform later (I believe it’s this one, will have to check).
While I remain hesitant about the flood of holiday season ladders that are on sale these days, with their 225 pound load capacities, I haven’t seen any weakness or frailty in the Gorilla Ladders products.
That all said, with a couple of 225 lb and 250 lb work platforms expected to be on sale later this month, I’d choose this one, hands-down. This one weighs a teeny bit more, but I’d feel better with a 300 lb load capacity and the “heavy duty” construction.
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Price: $29
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Black Friday 2017 Deals
Home Depot will have a lighter duty 250 lb capacity platform on sale for $20. This lighter duty Gorilla Ladders platform looks to have the same dimensions as this one.
Lowes will also have a light duty 225 lb capacity work platform on sale for $20. In addition to the lower weight capacity, the Werner is also smaller.
JMG
I generally avoid any of these items with less than a 300# rating. Not worth the risk for me. I do like my current Gorilla ladder. Great space saver.
Nate
I’ve got this exact same platform, I chose this one over the lighter rated one several years ago at Christmas. I’m glad they are selling it at a cheaper price again, I will pick up a second one now.
Cubbie
I’ve got two of the 250# Gorilla platforms. Plenty stable and great for cutting in, mudding, and installing trim.
fred
I have a Werner AP-30 that I paid $40 for 8 years ago – probably on some promotional sale (maybe Memorial Day or Father’s Day?) . I like it for its few extra inches in width (48 x 16)
fred
Stuart – you said:
“I have a couple of Gorilla Ladders products that they sent over last year”
You should see if you can get them to let you try out a Werner Tripod Orchard Ladder.
I think HD sells them in 8 and 10 foot lengths. Both are great ladders in the garden.
Along with Werner’s Podium Ladders these are styles that should be better known for their utility
Stuart
I’ve had a Werner podium ladder in mind for review in early 2018. I hadn’t seriously considered the tripod orchard ladder, but will keep it in mind – thanks!
Charles
I’m pretty sure I bought one of these last year at the Home Depot black friday sale the day after thanksgiving last year (it was $18.88 last year) . . . best $20 ever. $30 is still a decent enough deal to grab the thing if’n you don’t already have one
Blythe
I bought one last Black Friday for $20, I think it’s the lighter duty one. Use it way more than I expected to, definitely a great buy
KL
These are the “Pro Slim Fold.” Way way nicer than the typical
BF platforms. I can see people are not fully appreciating the difference here.
The legs fold up alongside the platform, not underneath it like the huge walking machines in the Star Wars from the ‘80s. Also as Stuart mentioned the leg locks are far superior- they click in when the leg is opened and release – literally – at the push of a button.
I’ve never seen any platforms this nice at the sub $30 price point. And I’d gladly pay the extra $9 now for a better product. Avoiding the madness of ACTUAL BF is just icing on the cake.
The yeti
What is hd pro . I dont think they do it here . Is it like a club card or something ?
Stuart
They have a special rewards and marketing members for contractors and “sophisticated hobbyists” (I love that term, coined by SBD), but what I’m referring to here is their special pre-Black Friday promo on highe-grade tools. Their Pro Black Friday event focuses on contractor-targeted tools, and tools that generally wouldn’t be a part of their consumer-focused Black Friday sales.
Dillon Corr
I have two of these (Werner version from BF 2014 or 2015). They are AWESOME and worth every penny at full price for crown molding. I’ve put crown in just about every room in both of my houses since then. Set them both up along a wall, then just walk your way down the wall with the nail /caulk gun. It seriously is way easier than any other option…..
Chris
Funny to this as I just purchased 2 last night was waiting for the 20 dollar one on b.f. but 9 bucks for the heavier duty one is well worth it and not having to deal with the craziness on b.f. is even more of a bonus
Fm2176
I have 4 Gorilla platforms (at least one is the heavier duty version) and one Werner. The best prices can be found after the holidays when they clear them out, so I’ll probably make a trip to a few of the larger Atlanta stores in January. Unlike most people, I use them for something…different, though.
Moving every 2-4 years takes a toll on furniture, and I decided a number of years ago to take only my guns, tools, grills, and coolers as major household goods. That’s honestly all a man needs, isn’t it? So, I had a bonfire in the backyard and burned every piece of furniture I had.
These platforms make lightweight, durable, and extremely handy benches and tables that can be readily folded for transport or storage. I use one as a coffee table, one as a seat for my expedient kitchen table (shelving clamped between two Jawhorses), two for benches (when they aren’t covered in stuff), and the Werner is currently uncommitted with my router table on it. If I need to reach something I can usually reach it with minimal movement of a platform.
I kind of went overboard buying Werner podium ladders on clearance last year and find those really handy as well. Most are currently in storage, but they make decent places to toss a coat or hang something one.
Call me eccentric, but since moving into a small loft apartment while working a job that averages 80 hours a week I needed to find creative ways to get some use out of my tools. Considering how much cost affects durability when it comes to furniture, you can’t go wrong spending $30 for a bench or table that can actually be used for its intended purpose on occasion.
Julian Tracy
I’ve been looking for a deal on one to modify to a 10-12″ height for use in painting. The 18-20″ height models are too tall for most home painting projects. Or at least they are for me – standing 6′ 4″ tall…
KL
The 19.99 (w coupon) HF aluminum steps are awesome. You could probably bridge between 2 with a 2×12 or something. They’re about 12” high IIRC.
fred
How about a pair of HD (Type 1A or 1AA) short step ladders and an extension plank.? All would be useful for other tasks as well.
firefly
I am picking one up today or tomorrow.
Matt
Ordered one online from my local HD the website said they had 3 in stock. Got to the store and was told they couldn’t find any of the 300# models. Upgraded me to the 375# model which is 48×14 instead of 48×12.
Maybe some karma from all my worthless scratchers?!
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