Help me identify these metal hooks left in my shed by the previous owner.

Questions on how we spend our money and our time - consumer goods and services, home and vehicle, leisure and recreational activities
Post Reply
Topic Author
White Oak
Posts: 149
Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2019 7:50 pm

Help me identify these metal hooks left in my shed by the previous owner.

Post by White Oak »

I'm cleaning out our shed, and there are these two metal tools/hooks hanging in the back corner. Anyone know what they are used for?

The previous owner ran a construction/handyman business, so maybe that is a clue. They each have a pivot point, and some teeth, I guess for adjustment.

Here are some pictures. They are the same, just one is folded and the other unfolded.

Image

Image
JonnyB
Posts: 688
Joined: Sun Jan 19, 2020 4:28 pm

Re: Help me identify these metal hooks left in my shed by the previous owner.

Post by JonnyB »

Scaffold brackets for extension ladders.

You can see a more modern and lightweight version here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOYdhWCcorI
User avatar
Sandtrap
Posts: 19591
Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 5:32 pm
Location: Hawaii No Ka Oi - white sandy beaches, N. Arizona 1 mile high.

Re: Help me identify these metal hooks left in my shed by the previous owner.

Post by Sandtrap »

Vintage "ladder jacks" for wooden ladders.

j :happy
Wiki Bogleheads Wiki: Everything You Need to Know
Topic Author
White Oak
Posts: 149
Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2019 7:50 pm

Re: Help me identify these metal hooks left in my shed by the previous owner.

Post by White Oak »

Thanks guys, that answers it. A pretty ingenious design, simple but effective.

After I posted, my uncle pointed me to this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25Sh_5-UQq4&app=desktop

So my next question is, should I consider keeping and using them? I do a fair amount of my own maintenance. But these strike me as rickety.
JonnyB
Posts: 688
Joined: Sun Jan 19, 2020 4:28 pm

Re: Help me identify these metal hooks left in my shed by the previous owner.

Post by JonnyB »

You are betting your life on that one rusty bolt at the pivot and a couple of rusty rivets on the hangers.

Hey, why not?
User avatar
Sandtrap
Posts: 19591
Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 5:32 pm
Location: Hawaii No Ka Oi - white sandy beaches, N. Arizona 1 mile high.

Re: Help me identify these metal hooks left in my shed by the previous owner.

Post by Sandtrap »

No. Absolutely not.
These vintage ones were made for wooden ladders with round rungs.

Buy new aluminum "ladder jacks" rated for your use level. And, quality aluminum plank scaffolding to match.
Reconsider if you are not used to a setup like that. Safety level is nowhere near a regular scaffolding setup.

j :happy
Wiki Bogleheads Wiki: Everything You Need to Know
Topic Author
White Oak
Posts: 149
Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2019 7:50 pm

Re: Help me identify these metal hooks left in my shed by the previous owner.

Post by White Oak »

Thanks guys, I'll be getting rid of these. I appreciate the advice.
Post Reply