Ever wish you were 20.5″ taller on the job? This is just the tool to keep you ceiling high, safely. Not too expensive and super-lightweight, this small sized work platform is one handy tool to have around.

Rating: 4.75 out of 5 stars

Experience:

I stopped by the local Depot to buy a Gorilla Ladder. When I got to the ladder department I ran into a carpenter I had worked with once upon a time. We exchanged greetings and chatted about the ladders. He pointed out this little work platform and said. “This is a great little work platform, and it’s cheap too.” So, I bought it and head back to work.

The job I purchased the Gorilla Ladder for is an example that lends credibility to this tool. I own several different methods for creating work platforms at various heights. I’ve used the Gorilla-Type ladders to create two stanchions for supporting an aluminum plank accessing up to 16′ lengths at a time. Great for two guys working together. I needed to set up a platform system to install 180-feet of beadboard ceiling on a wrap-around porch. Turns out this little Tricam WP-20-06 was quite popular. We set up the planks at each end and used this easy to move work platform to nail off the field.

I’ve had my Tricam work platform for a few years now and I love it. Most of the time, I bring a Werner 4-Foot Stepladder with me to work. I’ve mentioned in other articles how I’m feeling too old to be carrying a million pounds of crap with me everywhere so I opt for as little as necessary. This WP-20-06 is a lightweight, strong, and simple single-step ladder. It won’t get you higher than an 8′ ceiling but for crown moulding, header casings and windows it’s perfect.

I recommend owning one of these. Easier to carry than a ladder when you only need to reach 92″ high and a much larger and safer place to stand. For a good percentage of my tasks 20″ is all the taller I need to be.

Did I mention you can sit on it at lunch time and have room for your sandwich and drinks!

Links:
Tricam WP-20-B 20-Inch Work Platform, 225-Pound Capacity

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I picked up the Workforce Hardwood Dolly to help a friend move out of her apartment and have used it a lot more than I thought. For the price, this is a handy tool to have at home.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Features:

• Capacity: 1000 pound
• Dimensions: 18″ x 30″
• Carpeted Ends
• (4) Swivel Casters

Experience:

I bought this specifically to move some furniture in the city. It worked great to get a lot of furniture down the hall, into the elevator and rolled outside for transport. Spring cleaning? I’ve since used this dolly to move my furniture to the other side of the room and back again. Getting stuff outside is a lot easier if you don’t have a gravel driveway but it’s fine on the concrete floor of my shop and over my exterior brick walkway.

I used the dolly in my shop this week to move cabinets I was making. Shoot one together, set it on the dolly and roll it out of the way. On the dolly, painting a large piece is a lot easier since you can spin it around.

Comments:

I know cobblestones are a little inappropriate but I found myself delivering a heavy blanket chest to an apartment building that has a stone driveway. Something happened to one of the wheels causing it to lock up. Fortunately, I had the same size casters and the nuts holding the casters on are on the outside so it was easily replaced.

Links:

Hardwood Dolly With Carpeted Ends Deck 30 X 18 1000 Lb. Capacity

In brief; Don’t buy this economy model hand truck with pneumatic tires even if, like me, you just need to move something once and the price is right for the job. It’s not worth it if a tire runs flat and you won’t be able to repair it on site.

Rating: 1 out of 5 stars

The Tool: Harper Dual Handle Hand Truck