How strong is Carbon Fiber compared to fiberglass?

I don't know anything about these materials. Is there anyone on here that works with carbon fiber? I want to know how feasible it'd be to make a carbon fiber ladder, instead of a fiberglass ladder. Fiber glass is nice because it is very rigid and strong, and also safer around electrical wires, but it is HEAVY (compared to aluminum). Would carbon fiber ladders be strong enough to do a 300lb weight limit? Would they be too expensive to be feasible? A 40' fiberglass ladder costs over $700 and weighs 115 lbs. If a carbon fiber 40' ladder only weighed say 75lbs, but cost $1,000, I'd probably buy one tomorrow (especially if it was black).

What do you guys who know say?

I have the perfect ladder for you. https://littlegiantladders.com/ladder/lunar/ I used to use this ladder at work before I changed departments. The first version had little triangles cut out between the rungs. That version went away because it was a little twisty. The current version is a bit heavier but still lighter than the Werner I used for my 1st 15yrs of ladder carrying. The Lunar also has an extra pulley for block and tackle style lifting. The version I used was rated 350, because I'm fat and my tools were heavy. http://www.sumostanceladder.com/fibe...r-little-giant

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Originally Posted by ben4372

I have the perfect ladder for you. https://littlegiantladders.com/ladder/lunar/ I used to use this ladder at work before I changed departments. The first version had little triangles cut out between the rungs. That version went away because it was a little twisty. The current version is a bit heavier but still lighter than the Werner I used for my 1st 15yrs of ladder carrying. The Lunar also has an extra pulley for block and tackle style lifting. The version I used was rated 350, because I'm fat and my tools were heavy. http://www.sumostanceladder.com/fibe...r-little-giant

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Thanks, but that ladder is still heavier than the 32' aluminum Werner. I'm not in need of said product, I was just curious if it were feasible. I started looking around on Google and it looks like carbon ladder exist, but they are mostly for tactical applications. Here is an example, and it looks plenty strong too!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89u4Fv93rHg

I once had a conversation with my boss about how he'd love to hire a girl or two, but most can't sling a 32' foot ladder every day. It just got me thinking about how nice a very lightweight ladder would be to use. I often have to rent 40' ladders and thankfully, every time I've done so, someone has been there to help set-up and take down. I don't know how strong you have to be to handle a 40' by yourself, but I'm not that strong.

This thing looks sweet because it's black, but over $700 for a ladder that normally costs under $200 is pretty steep. Also, this isn't something I'd use in my employment anyway.

https://source4industries.com/dark-h...NE8aAkad8P8HAQ

Normal 22' ladder.
https://www.zoro.com/werner-multipur...BIgaAqdt8P8HAQ

Carbon fiber wont insulate against electricity. May as well be holding onto the aluminum stick.

the fiberglass actually has a lower density than the woven carbon fiber. material properties are similar - but the difference is that the fiberglass in the ladder is not woven, its random chopped fibers pressed together. I dont have any data (cant find properties for chopped fibers) but i would venture to guess that the woven fibers (properly orientated) would be at least conservatively 2x stronger
http://www.niar.wichita.edu/agate/

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Originally Posted by 00tec

Carbon fiber wont insulate against electricity. May as well be holding onto the aluminum stick.

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Originally Posted by feal

the fiberglass actually has a lower density than the woven carbon fiber. material properties are similar - but the difference is that the fiberglass in the ladder is not woven, its random chopped fibers pressed together. I dont have any data (cant find properties for chopped fibers) but i would venture to guess that the woven fibers (properly orientated) would be at least conservatively 2x stronger
http://www.niar.wichita.edu/agate/

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Both good to know, thank you. Much less feasible if they conduct electricity. The Sunbelt Rentals in Colorado Springs ONLY rents fiberglass. They tell me that aluminum ladders are not even allowed on the base (I didn't ask which one), even if it's on your truck and you're not even using it for the day.

Consider Bamboo for a ladder. You could make your own.

My guess is they'd be cost prohibitive. I'm also guessing they would be far, far lighter than fiberglass. I did find one with 7 rungs, 220 lb rating, that weighs 2.2 lbs.

Also found this:

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Carbon fiber is slightly stronger than fiberglass and can replace metals in certain applications. Fiberglass, on the other hand might not have a have a higher tensile strength but has a dramatically lower tensile modulus. This allows it to bend and take more strain without breaking. Though each material has an overall measurement of strength and modulus, this can vary with the ratio and material each composite material is made of.

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The same website also states carbon fiber is about $5 lb vs $1.5 per lb for fiberglass.

Pretty interesting idea.

Just use a grappling hook and climb up the rope.

*swing, swing, phoosh... clack! graaaaate, thunk!*
...

"Yeah, you need a new roof. It's got a few holes in it; thanksfully the grappling hook landed right in em!"

Could call it, "Complete Roofing Analysis Professionals". Slogan, "We're C.R.A.P.!"

I had to go on a roof to inspect some wind damage the other day. I just rented an 80' manlift. No dealing with cumbersome ladders or climbing.

Maybe you need a manlift, Stu.

Although I do like earplug's idea about the bamboo. You'd be like a roof ninja.

I've approached a guy about using his lift before when it was a little windy, would have been nice.

Bailey, I saw that 2.2lb ladder. That thing was awesome, but I'd never have a use for it.
It sounds like carbon fiber would be more likely to break if dropped, but dropping a 40' ladder pretty much guarantees it's going to break. Also, long ladders have a bit of flex when fully extended, I wonder if it'd be too much for carbon fiber.

The other side of having a super light ladder is that the wind would want to blow it over even easier. I secure the ladder every time I can anyway.

One of the worst things I've ever done for work was install a sat dish on top of a fully extended 40' ladder in the wind. Never again.

Super fun right? The only time I've been on a fully extended 40', it was on the rake andI couldn't tie it down. The person I was with said, "I'll hold the ladder while you go up." I told her, "You can if you want, but if the ladder moves at all, you just run the other way. "

We require our staff to use Type IA fiberglass ladders because of the conductivity aspect. Pretty much everyone else we encounter uses the Warner knock-offs of the Little Giant. The Type I fiberglass ladders are a good bit lighter, and you are still light enough to be well under the 250# limited with equipment.

Incidentally, Warner now has a three section extension ladder with a 24' reach that collapses into 9' and is much more small SUV friendly. A guy I worked with in Matthew had one on his Mini Clubman, and was parking easier and saving a good chunk on gas in the city, over the typical F250.

I also rent my guys a JLG for commercial work and some of the larger high dollar properties, particularly those with 14/12s and nice yards.

My 24' Werner fit perfectly on my Focus and didn't even hang past the bumper. I wasn't allowed to use that car though. My Costco 17' folder/slider fits across the back seat of the Focus as well.

Haha. That's what they get.

Ever considered a drone? Would be a hell of a lot easier then climbing up a ladder to look at a roof.

Drones are all the rage right now, kind of. There are some legal obsticals to using them, and once you get passed those, there is still a lot of push back in the industry, especially for saying that a roof doesn't need to be replaced. While the cameras are plenty clear for the purpose, there is often a lot of physical manipulation that needs to be done to determine what is going on with the roof.

In my specific industry, there are usually, at least, three different parties involved, working within three different parameters. So there is often a disagreement as to the condition of the roof, even when everyone is on the roof together, all looking at the same thing at the same time. If you send up a drone, take some photos/ videos and make a determination, someone is going to cry foul and you end up having to physically get up there to do a reinspection anyway. Now the drone just added an expensive step. So... It's still a bit up in the air as an industry at this point. Pun intended?

https://denver.craigslist.org/ctd/6103683606.html

Or this on a trailer.
https://www.jlg.com/en/-/media/f6076...2981511a9.ashx

Carbon Fiber is stronger than Fiberglass, but more than 3 times the cost for an equivalent strength structure and needs a wrap to prevent electrical conductivity.

I am strongly considering a drone as it will get me some images I can not get any other way, especially in collapses, fires and explosions. But yes, in most cases, roofs and siding need close visual inspection and manipulation, so a drone with a robotic arm please. :)

You will find that drone usage on a commercial basis is far more limited around the Denver metro area. I just sent five of my guys to get commercially licensed and then go through some training on how to use a drone. Among other things, for commercial use, they have to maintain line of sight at all times, can only fly with clear visibility to something like 3 miles, and have to file a flight plan with every launch. It's that last part that is killing commercial drone usage at the moment; there is a ton of restricted air space all around Denver, particularly south and east near Buckley, Parker, etc.., all of which overlays major population centers.

My guys are flying DJ Phantom Something-or-Others, which are super-stable in flight and seem pretty robust in daily use. They get about 18 minutes of flight time per battery, factoring in a 1/3 reserve for return flight. The cameras are fricking amazing. Gimbal mounted 4k wide view and 20x zoom Zeiss telephoto. The application we are using now produces a complete 3D model of the flight path, on which I can zoom in close enough to see if you've dusted your doorbell. Only problem at the moment is storage; the files are unbelievably huge, and we are thin-client, which means we'd have to push them over cellular, usually in a bombed out neighborhood where 5000 emergency workers are fighting with all the remaining residents for the one tower that wasn't knocked out.

*If I seem purposefully vague, that is because I am being purposefully vague about my large and otherwise dull mega corp which monitors my social media activity because of my role. But Irving knows.*

Thanks. Most of my cases are not in the Metro area and a few hundred feet up will get all I need. The DJI Phantom and Autel X-Star are the two I am looking at. And yes, I know that a UAS pilots certificate is required for commercial use. One of the FAA guys I talked to actually wavered some on if I actually needed the pilots license based on my use.

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Originally Posted by JohnnyEgo

You will find that drone usage on a commercial basis is far more limited around the Denver metro area. I just sent five of my guys to get commercially licensed and then go through some training on how to use a drone. Among other things, for commercial use, they have to maintain line of sight at all times, can only fly with clear visibility to something like 3 miles, and have to file a flight plan with every launch. It's that last part that is killing commercial drone usage at the moment; there is a ton of restricted air space all around Denver, particularly south and east near Buckley, Parker, etc.., all of which overlays major population centers.

My guys are flying DJ Phantom Something-or-Others, which are super-stable in flight and seem pretty robust in daily use. They get about 18 minutes of flight time per battery, factoring in a 1/3 reserve for return flight. The cameras are fricking amazing. Gimbal mounted 4k wide view and 20x zoom Zeiss telephoto. The application we are using now produces a complete 3D model of the flight path, on which I can zoom in close enough to see if you've dusted your doorbell. Only problem at the moment is storage; the files are unbelievably huge, and we are thin-client, which means we'd have to push them over cellular, usually in a bombed out neighborhood where 5000 emergency workers are fighting with all the remaining residents for the one tower that wasn't knocked out.

*If I seem purposefully vague, that is because I am being purposefully vague about my large and otherwise dull mega corp which monitors my social media activity because of my role. But Irving knows.*

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E-Corp does not take kindly to your sass!