It seems that several work platforms are on sale for Black Friday after all, with both Home Depot and Lowe’s having unadvertised promos.
Work platforms are basically expanded-size step stools, with space to move around laterally.
I needed just a little bit of extra height when blowing out the gutters the other day and grabbed a wood bench. When I was nearly done, it creaked and two of the wood slats broke. I should have grabbed a work platform.
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Lowe’s has a Werner work platform for $40.
Home Depot has this Gorilla Ladders work platform for $40.
The Werner deal at Lowe’s measures 45″ L x 12″ W x 20″ H, and the Gorilla Ladders platform at Home Depot measures 48″ L x 12″ W x 20″ H. The Gorilla model has a handle in the middle. Both are mostly made with aluminum, which makes them relatively light to carry.
The Gorilla Ladders platform has a 300 lb load capacity, and the Werner has a 250 lb load capacity.
For the same price, I’d go with the Gorilla Ladders model. Both retailers offer free shipping.
If you need a step ladder instead, here are some deals on those:
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Home Depot Ladder Deals
Werner 6ft Fiberglass Step Ladder – 250 lb Capacity – $49.88
Werner 8′ Fiberglass Step Ladder – $69.88
Gorilla Ladders Step Stool – $19.88
Lowe’s Ladder Deals
Werner 6ft Aluminum Step Ladder – $39
Werner 4ft Fiberglass Ladder – $30
Werner 6ft Fiberglass Ladder – $50
Werner 8ft Fiberglass Ladder – $69
Little Giant M14 Multi-Function Ladder – $95
Little Giant M17 Multi-Position Ladder – $169
Jason M
Depot has a decent deal on a metaltech 6 ft bakers style scaffolding right now online.
Saw pallets in store marked save for Black Friday but haven’t seen anything in ads unless I missed it.
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Stuart
Home Depot Link
It shows there are some in stock at my local store, but I didn’t see it on display yet. My next-closest store doesn’t have any, and another has 20. It could be that only some stores will have this, perhaps due to the floorspace they take up.
Looking through a longer list of nearby Home Depot stores, most do have it, but some don’t. Maybe they’re not advertising it if it’s not available at all stores.
Andy
That’s a great deal.
I bought the non-Safe Climb version (no platform trap door) for $200 shipped from Northern Tool a couple months ago and it’s been invaluable. At $180 for a more expensive model, that’s a no-brainer.
Mark. M
I can vouch for the Gorilla one. Bought three of them a few years ago, gave two as gifts, I still get raving reviews from the recipients. Other things it’s good for: oil changes/under hood work on trucks and SUVs, car washing (roofs), impromptu kids table in the garage. I’ve used mine quite a bit and it has held up perfectly. Also folds very flat and stores easily, about like a long skinny card table, def less of a folded footprint than a ladder.
KokoTheTalkingApe
Yep. And it makes a dandy bench for kids’ soccer games. I might cut a piece of carpet padding and use it for padding though. That aluminum gets cold.
Julian Tracy
I’m 6’4” and cut down one of the gorilla ones (same style, no center grip hole) to about an 11” height. Riveted back in the diagonal braces as part of the process, so probably no loss is capacity, Perfect for me for cutting in paint on 8’ ceilings…
Tucker
I have one of the adjustable height versions of these, and they definitely fall into the “why didn’t I buy one years ago?” category of tools. Useful for so many projects. For $40 might pick up another one.
KokoTheTalkingApe
Yes, though the one on sale doesn’t have adjustable legs.
Ken
I use my lighter-duty Gorilla branded platform far more often than two other heavy-duty platforms. The Gorilla is shorter but way lighter, and the legs fold out effortlessly. IIRC, I only paid about $20 for the Gorilla some years ago when it went on Clearance after the holiday sales season.
Saulac
I got two a while back from reading similar post/deal. The ability to walk 4 feet w/o stepping up/down/reposition is huge. I just wish that they are more compact when folded, which when the thickness is twice the thickness of the platform. I wish that they fold down to just the thickness of the platform.
Adabhael
Agreed about walking! I think packed size depends on the model: you can pick your priority, but (as always) you cannot have everything. I have the gorilla depicted above and the legs are mounted outside the platform on through-pivots, so they fold alongside it, and the thickness is just platform plus cross-pieces. Other models I considered (including possibly the Warner depicted above?) use a bottom-mounted hinge pivot, so the legs “stack” under the platform for a thicker folded package. Trade off is thicker but narrower vs thinner but wider.
That said, now that I have it, I cannot imagine working without the center handle to move one-handed both folded and deployed, so that’s my priority!
KokoTheTalkingApe
When folded, the Gorilla is exactly as thick as the platform except where the four crossbars stick out. It was a selling point for me.
Andy
I bought the Gorilla version a few years ago on a BF deal and it’s been great, the center handle makes it easy to carry around. I will say the legs are not easy to operate – the hinges are really stiff. Not sure if it’s just mine or a common thing, but wanted to share as a heads up.
At $40, I’m thinking about buying another one to have around the house
Geoff
I have the same experience as Andy with my Gorilla platform: it is incredibly handy and I use it all the time. But it’s a pain in the butt to fold up — sometimes I resort to using a mallet to facilitate the hinge folding.
Al
I’ve had that Werner for over 10 years, and (except for some stray tool marks) is the same as Day One.
The Gorilla gives me pause. There is a lot of plastic in areas that look structural. And trim pieces that woul expose sharp edges when the plastic deterioates.
Has anyone had the Gorilla long-term? Stored outdoors?
Travis Riggs
I actually happen to have both the Werner and the Gorilla platforms. I don’t store them outside but I have left them outside on jobs and not had issues with either one. This will sound dumb but the hands down best and most important feature is on the Gorilla, the hole in the middle of it makes it about 10x more useful. Moving it around effortlessly (with one hand) using that hole is key.
Andy
I’ve had the Gorilla one for ~3 years, but I’ve always stored it inside in my detached / unheated garage. As far as I can tell, none of the plastic parts are structural – the structural joints and supports are metal, and the plastic are just cosmetic covers. Fair warning though, I haven’t taken my platform apart to confirm this.
You’re right that if they were removed, some sharp edges would be exposed. However, the biggest issue I can see if a plastic part fails would be releasing the locking pins for the leg. Releasing those pins by hand would be virtually impossible without the larger plastic head.
John E
I have a couple of the older Gorilla platforms (bought about 10 years ago) that had very little plastic on them. Only the feet were plastic, as I recall. No carry hole in the center though and they have held up very well. I use them more often than the Werner ones. They were $19 on BF back then.
KokoTheTalkingApe
I’ve had the Gorilla for five years I think? The plastic looks structural in a few places, like the ends of the crossbars, but it’s not. It just covers sharp or bumpy joints and edges.
Drew M
I have the previous version of this work platform and it is really quite excellent. I wish it was a bit stiffer/stronger but that’s it.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Werner-Aluminum-Adjustable-Height-and-Linking-Pro-Platform-300lb-AP-2030L-MP2/5005470339
I reached out to Werner probably a year ago, asking them to make a smaller version (not as long, probably less maximum height) and they eventually responded to my request with “no”.
Matthew
I have the same platform as well as my coworker and there’s a weak point on one of the legs where it’s not reinforced and the aluminum has started to “rip.” I haven’t looked at them in quite some time but it’s clearly a design flaw but they are both holding up still. It’s only on one side as the legs are designed differently. It’s up near the platform and only does it on one side.
M B
The Werner one doesn’t fold nearly as flat as that Gorilla one.
I wished it folded like the Gorilla ones
AP
I love my Gorilla platform. It’s great for a lot of things but it’s perfect for detailing the top of cars and SUV’s.
Jim Felt
I’ve had the Werner version above for many years. (I’m sure there are subtle differences but in my application it seldom moves far). Never had any issues.
After again seeing the Gorilla version here I’m ordering it to have a more portable/convenient to use version. That being the only real difference in the two. (The load rating difference isn’t an issue to me).
JR Ramos
I picked up one of the Gorilla models a few years ago from a post here…just an excellent small platform for all kinds of things. I bought two more. The legs on two of them are a pain to collapse but the other is smooth and easy. The one thing I don’t care for about them is that the plastic insert for the carry hole makes it hard to use as a work or cutting or finishing surface at times, where the Werner is nice and flat. Great product.
Lyle
I got the Gorilla ones for $25 at Home Depot several years ago. I only bought 2 the first time and then added 2 more the following year but I think they were $30 or $35. Still a good deal at $40 and I think the higher weight capacity and the handle in the middle make this a better deal than the Warner version.
Alexk
Paid under $30 for the Werner a few years ago. Like everyone else, I love it.
If the gorilla drops to <$30, I’d get it. The handle is nice.
Someone had a smaller version that i liked. Don’t see them at the stores.
John
250lb vs 300lb is a big deal, especially considering many tasks will have you on a platform with tools and or materials.