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Abru 3 Tread Stepladder
by katykicker
We moved in to our first home together back in 2010 and had to wait a little while before we could begin to decorate or undertake any DIY because of having new walls. This meant that we had time to decide on paint schemes, test colours, buy pictures and tools for our DIY. This obviously meant that we were nice and prepared when the time ... did come to start the decorating or the DIY but it has been a little bit more difficult pinning down a decent length of time to carry out the work.
We did not buy these ladders ourselves but received them as a gift from the in laws. My father-in-law felt that they would be useful for us, despite my husband being over 6 foot, and he was not wrong! We have used this step ladder on several occasions over the past few weeks. They have been useful when painting our living room, when putting up photographs and when wiping over the ceiling in my kitchen thanks to a cherry tomato explosion!
This stepladder is incredibly light weight at just 2.6kg and this makes it very easy for me to pack up and put away once we have finished using it. The height of this platform is 0.58m which adds a nice bit of height, particularly for my husband who is able to comfortably reach the ceiling when stood on the top of the three rungs. I can also reach the ceiling on this although it is not quite so easy for me but I do not have to stretch either.
As this ladder is so light I initially worried that it might not be able to withstand my weight but I then saw that it can hold up to 95kg so I have no worries there also my husband can use this too with no weight issues at all. I feel secure when standing on this as the three rungs do feel sturdy. I am happy enough to stand on the top rung which is larger than the other two and very sturdy. I do not feel like this stepladder is going to collapse and I have been standing on there touching up some edges at the top of my walls in the past few weeks with no problems at all.
This stepladder opens up easily and it takes just a few seconds to open this out fully and then I usually stand on the bottom step to test that it is open properly and that it is sturdy before I start to use it. Folding it back down is simple enough and takes just a few seconds as well. I can then tuck this away in to one of my hall cupboards and it takes up barely any space at all.
Obviously we did not pay for this so already it represents incredibly good value but when I look online I can see that this costs just under £20.00 from Tesco Direct. This price is absolutely fantastic for a stepladder that has been invaluable to use when decorating our home.
This ladder is lightweight, sturdy, easy to open and I feel confident on this even when standing on the top rung. We have used this on several occasions just recently alone and have been very pleased with this overall with nothing bad to say about this at all.
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Zarges Hop Up Platform
by bilbobaginz
Sometimes ladders are just too much. Sometimes there are situations where all you need is a small 'hop up' to reach that so close, yet so far location within the home and at work. Well this steel platform from Zarges is exactly the tool you need to achieve that additional height in a stable and reliable fashion. Whether it be for ... helping to paint neatly and professionally towards the top of the wall or fence, or for helping to replace light bulbs, smoke alarms or to put up shelves - this product allows you to get stuff done with greater ease and safety.
Though the Hop Up is for more temporary situations, it can be used as a permanent tool in areas where the industrial / workman-like look of thing isn't an issue. For instance, I have mine permanently set up in the garage to reach up to some tall shelving units I have in there - and that means I don't have to find a place to store the thing. Saying that, the Hop Up collapses down nicely from its erected height of 480cm (just under half a meter) as the legs fold into the main body or platform neatly to help with transportation and storage of the product. For people using this in their jobs this helps massively - it will quite happily squeeze into the corner of a white van. Because it's very light-weight (at just 4.65 Kg) and durable you can chuck the thing about a bit as well, and those suffering from a bad back won't have an issue with lifting it about.
The platform is 0.6 meters by 0.3 meters in dimension and can hold a total load of 150 Kg - though I'm sure this is lower than its true load capacity - the company will be covering its back. However it is hard to see how any more than that could fit onto the surface which is quite small. There's enough room for one person to stand comfortably which is all there really needs to be. I think one of the positives of this is the fact you do feel safe and secure aboard it (despite its size), you don't get that horrible uncertain feeling you get when at the top of a ladder - that psychological anxiousness willing you to get down and get off as soon as possible (...or is that just me).
The plastic protectors on the four feet at ground level give minimal grip, and are just as hard and rugged as the metal so would probably still scratch flooring if dragged. The horizontal reinforcements which join the legs in pairs look like little steps leading to the platform above, but I wouldn't trust the balance of the product to put my whole weight on one - it's easy enough just to step straight to the platform.
I think the general build quality is excellent. A very well put together product. The joints which collapse the legs are strong and seem like they'll last years. The whole contraption has a working man's sense about it which you feel you can rely on when completing the great mass of possible jobs this thing can provide support for. With a rough working height of nearly 2.5 meters I would trust this product with a personal guarantee of 10-20 years.
If you want a strong and supportive addition you can rely on about the house and at work, trust in this little platform to reach you. A good load capacity, non-wobbly stance, tight and compact design which folds up, and light-weight construction set at the correct working height - an all-round 5 star product which will be hard to beat.
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Abru 3 Tread Stepladder
by northernlovely
The Abru 3 Tread Stepladder has been a Godsend to me over the last six months or so - I purchased it when I moved home, then my Mum borrowed it when we redecorated her lounge and dining room and then my Dad borrowed it when we redecorated his new bungalow. So it's had lots of road testing in a short amount of time!
**Price and ... Availability**
As we needed ladders quickly (we had only one week to refurb a house before moving in) we went to B&Q for everything. I must say, these ladders were a bargain, I was expecting to pay £30+ but they cost only £21, which I was really pleased about.
They're available in all B&Qs (not just B&Q Extra) and online with an additional delivery charge (but they did fit in my car, a 5 door Astra, so you should be OK to get them home with a bit of squeezing!)
**Looks & Specs**
The Abru stepladder is, as the name suggests, a 3 tread ladder, with the top bar comprising a support handle.
It is finished in a brushed steel, and looks very presentable, with rubber feet. The ladder is 0.58m in height when in use, and folds flat for storage (mine fits in the cloakroom cupboard no problems). Overall for the price it is a very smart looking and well proportioned ladder.
**Use**
This is what I'd call an all rounder ladder - it won't reach your top windows obviously but for painting and decorating, getting something out of the loft, dusting high places, accessing otherwise hard to reach high places, gardening and so on, it's exactly what you need.
Over the months of continued use mine has become splashed with a rainbow of colours and a few scratches here and there from tools but it's still a very strong, sturdy and reliable ladder that I will be sure to use for years to come.
**Overall**
I highly recommend the Abru 3 Tread Stepladder. It's easy to find, very very reasonably priced and a very high quality item. It hasn't let me down and I'm sure you'll feel the same.
Five out of five - a must buy for DIY and home use.
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