Best repair for ladder?

[JOEPRO]

This is my own aluminium ladder I bought many years ago. It is a 2 part ladder which slides together and reaches up 2 storeys.

The issue I have noticed is that the top steel brackets are held with 2no pop rivets each. These rivets are now loose. So whilst the bracket is somewhat captive in its design it is still loose and I don't care much for that.



Very good ladder with zero damage otherwise so what would be the best repair here please?

A: drill out and replace the original rivets. I have aluminium pop rivets.

B: Drill out the original rivets and drill on through the ladder to the outside layer. Then fit m6 bolts with washers and torque up without crushing ladder cross section

C: drill out and fit M6 captive nuts on the inside in the original rivet locations. Fit short m6 bolts.

Or any other suggestions? I am mindful that drilling more holes or drilling on through the frame external side "may" leak to a weakness or points for it to split. Hence I think C might be the best option.

 

[brightspark]

make new ss brackets ss rivets and nuts and bolts

 

[JOEPRO]

make new ss brackets ss rivets and nuts and bolts

The brackets will get blasted and sprayed when off. It is only surface corrosion the mild steel items are 100% solid.

I would be loath to made my own brackets to be honest when the originals just need cleaning and are fit for purpose by the original manufacturers.

I was thinking stainless steel boltd too. But dissimilar metal corrosion risk? Does zinc mild steel play nicer with aluminium than stainless? Or is this a reason why I should use new aluminium rivets and monitor it. Genuine question BTW

 

[addjunkie]

Drill rivets out and replace with larger ones. Monel rivets if using a stainless bracket.

 

[Blobber]

Square rungs, they have to be the most uncomfortable ladders ever

 

[JOEPRO]

Square rungs, they have to be the most uncomfortable ladders ever

It's used once every 3 years

(I really should clean my gutters more often)

 

[nickk]

I repaired two of mine last month,just replaced with longer aluminium pop rivets to get more bulge at the back,once you’ve done a ladder repair it’s on your mind to check every use.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Reckon the rivet holes might have opened up a tad...maybe go up a size to keep it nice and snug. Any reason you can't add +2 rivets while at it...prevent a repeat.

 

[JOEPRO]

OK I am leaning towards drill them out next size up and use pop rivets again. The originals did last the first 10 years without being loose. Then over the last 10 years they became loose gradually. (It's 20 years old I know because I bought it when I was 18)

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Corrosion on the back of the brackets could have loosened the rivets maybe?

 

[Pond frog]

OK I am leaning towards drill them out next size up and use pop rivets again. The originals did last the first 10 years without being loose. Then over the last 10 years they became loose gradually. (It's 20 years old I know because I bought it when I was 18)

That’s what I would do

 

[Agroshield]

B: Drill out the original rivets and drill on through the ladder to the outside layer. Then fit m6 bolts with washers and torque up without crushing ladder cross section

Just in case the rivet holes are u/s when you drill out the old ones, here's a slight variation on the above. M5 button head bolts so the other part of the ladder cannot snag on them. Plastic crush tube between box walls. Penny washer on outside. Nylok nuts or dome nuts with loctite.

The OEM used rivets purely for speed and cheapness. What might give up next is the plastic top hats, through u/v degradation, so maybe measure those while you are there and have some plans for replacing them.

 

[frank horton]

I repaired a set.....removed the brackets used a proper sized hardwood filler peice in the tube and just bolted it back together.....st/st bolts with nylock nut...
ps... needed a mallet to get the wood in, not to tight.......

 

[keithski122]

We have this repaired ladder at work, health and safety isn't the boss's top priority.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

We have this repaired ladder at work, health and safety isn't the boss's top priority.

If his insurers saw that it would quickly become the boss's top priority....thats an accident claim waiting to happen!

 

[brightspark]

We have this repaired ladder at work, health and safety isn't the boss's top priority.
View attachment 454731

wouldn't use that if you payed me. or diy ladders or steps even from new

 

[Arc Tourist]

From someone who has unintentionally skydived off of a ladder, I would say consider treating yourself to a Little Giant ladder system; which can be had with a wall standoff, angle adjustment for a leg when on an incline, and other features for safety and convenience. Here's a photo of my versatile and compact A-frame model, which can be opened out to 20 feet in length. Though not cheap, I came to the conclusion that my life is more valuable than money.

 

[roofman]

I normally drill mine out and replace with countersunk machine screws(6mm) and nylock nut. I also peen the outer edges of the rungs to tighten the whole ladder up, makes a massive difference.

 

[angellonewolf]

fixed my old ladder that the rivets come a bit loose drilled out and new rivets been that way for 5 years

 

[pedrobedro]

Square rungs, they have to be the most uncomfortable ladders ever

Good pair of boots and you can't tell the difference