Home made roof ladder hook for metal roofing.

I got tired of a tired groin after putting ridge cap on a metal roof. This fixed the problem! :)

[@oldoldpilgrim7898]

Shivers go through my body watching you up there.

[@terryavey1074]

Thank you for sharing your invention. If I had to claim to be anything it would be a metal fabricator. But I do much more than that. I have to replace some damaged PBR panels on one side of a building at home. All of my friends are older than me and in worse physical condition or dead. I'm the puppy at 68 and only have aftermarket hips, some rebuilt joints and a cool left knee brace that allows me to function. I'll build one of these tomorrow and do the damn job myself. Yes, I do throw a safety rope over the building and tie it to the 9N on one side and my to old Klein safety belt around me on the other.

[@kenskarpentry]

Haha thanks

[@trickyricky12147]

This... is money, Ken! Good job.

[@theElderberryFarmer]

Necessity is truly the mother of invention! I am surprised that someone isn't already marketing a ladder hook that actually spans over the ridge cap. I can't imagine that you are the only person that would benefit from that. Maybe putting on ridge cap is a task that is being left to the crews' young, strong guys who haven't gotten enough mileage on them to appreciate such a thing.

[@kenskarpentry]

True. I’ve needed something like this for about 10 years

[@Tomhohenadel]

Great idea Ken. View is fantastic. Keep up the good work

[@kenskarpentry]

Thanks!

[@grahambraid5037]

Love watching your videos, very interesting. Thank you for sharing. I notice that you always reply to our comments, well done you, nice to know you appreciate them. Graham, North Wales UK.

[@kenskarpentry]

Thanks for watching. Part of the fun.

[@jimmyyounger618]

I like it! I have a stack of 3/16" metal stock I've been waiting to use for something, and here it is. I'm sure a single slice wouldn't be stiff enough on it's own, so I'll make duplicate pieces, stack them, clamp, and tack weld the edges - as many pieces as I need until I'm stone cold confident I could hang a mule on it. The nice thing about the thinner steel is that I can more easily heat pieces with a torch and work it into shape over the horn of an anvil. I've only put on a half dozen roofs in my lifetime and the most recent was nothing more than a shed and my first time putting on a steel roof. It was only a 4/12 pitch, but there wasn't a damn thing you could set on it that didn't slide off including myself. I even tried heating up some soft soled running shoes and wire brushed the soles into a super grippy texture. That helped, but I wasn't betting my life on them. What a pain. I swore I'd never put on another steel roof until I just ran the numbers of steel vs. full decking and shingles. I'm even less a fan of getting the decking and shingles on the roof, so steel it is. Gotta give the nod to steel for being light enough that 36" o.c. rafters are plenty when using 2x4s for the battens. Any day I can cut fewer birds mouths is a good day. 😄 Thanks for the upload. The worst part of my experience putting on steel was the ridge cap, straddling the ridge as you described. Oy-veh! Nope, never again. Thanks for the answer to that issue. Cheers and stay safe!

[@kenskarpentry]

Nice

[@lonnieclemens8028]

Excellent video!

[@kenskarpentry]

Thanks

[@mibrains979]

Thank you Ken What a great idea I also want to thank you for the “screw a piece of wood at the bottom using the holes for the metal idea” It worked perfectly on our most recent job! Your a great inspiration to us all Thank you for all your hard work putting these videos together!

[@johnspencer1145]

Great idea to fix a problem you were having 👍🏻

[@kenskarpentry]

Thanks

[@opper_Bjj]

Buddy I like the design of the bigger hook you had originally come up with to slide ridge cap through. If you welded a 1/2 roundbar to the back it would stiffen it right up

[@joeshmoe8912]

Nice job Ken. If that one doesn't work out there is a brand called acro that makes one that I believe would gap the ridge. I use it for slate repairs and it goes over the old tinners red ridge cap. Very inventive I must say though.

[@kenskarpentry]

Thanks. I’ve never worked with slate

[@davidbrewer7937]

I have a ridge cap to do on the neighbor's place & have been mulling a similar idea for a few days while it rains...Steel & rain is a no-no...

[@liberty5677]

Thanks man. I think you may have just saved my life.

[@kenskarpentry]

Nice

[@Sctronic209]

That makes me dizzy just watching you. Great idea be safe up there.

[@kenskarpentry]

Thanks

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

Necessity was the mother of invention !!!! I hope that pad on the opposite side where it contacts the roof is padded with a piece of rubber to prevent scratching the paint of the roofing !!!!! =rust !!!!

[@kenskarpentry]

Yes definitely padded. The ladder as well.

[@emerybarg6424]

You could weld vertical like a floor joist onto the thinner piece giving you more strength. But you have already made something out of thicker material...

[@jonastknotts3504]

Good god ,wow your up there, what a beautiful view, heck of a camera shot. maybe a 1/2 inch thick piece of rubber rectangle shape as a boot attached to it would be good also?

[@blklbluvr]

Nice invention! I'd say to patent it but I bet someone else has already made something like this.Thanks for letting us in on the little inventions you use. Like this and your ladder hoist. Are you enjoying all that snow from Friday? LOL

[@kenskarpentry]

Hey maybe shark tank. Haha. Quite the storm. The trees were beautiful.

[@jamesmelia6285]

Excellent and thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@kenskarpentry]

Thanks

[@bahopik]

To make it stronger if needed, I would lay it on a sheet of metal and trace its profile, plasma cut 1.5" strip and weld it to the hook shape you already have, creating an upside down "T," which would be very strong

[@kenskarpentry]

Sounds like it would be super strong. I'm the world's worst welder. :)

[@JamesCusano]

I like your approach. Any tips for ladder padding on metal roofs? I've used foam pipe insulation jackets, but taping and removing them is kind of a pain. Also: you may be interested in the RidgePro, but it's rather expensive. There are videos of it here on KZbin. I've been eyeing it for awhile, but haven't quite pulled the trigger yet.

[@Quadboueux]

Interesting! Thanks for sharing :-)

[@kenskarpentry]

Thanks for watching

[@kevinhornbuckle]

Most of the time you can fasten a length of chain in the rafter bay and run it out under the ridge cap, between the standing ribs. Put a bike inner tube around the chain to protect the metal roofing's finish. Loop the chain around the top rung of the ladder.

[@kenskarpentry]

I usually put screen over the vented ridge. But I like your idea.

[@kevinhornbuckle]

Kens Karpentry I have dealt with that by stapling screen to the bottom of the sheathing after removing the chain. Effectively, the ridge vent hole.

[@gduncan3739]

Great job Ken ! Im sure that wasnt the only groin strain you encountered as a young man, keep it up.. so to speak!

[@kenskarpentry]

Haha

[@WanderingWiley]

Great idea, always straddled thepeak and paid the price for capping. For the steel and sheeting broke an extension ladder and used the slides to hook the ridge.

[@kenskarpentry]

Yup

[@chet3louisiana558]

Very nice set up. Ironically, I turned down a challenging roof today. If I can suggest, and I welcome your thoughts please. I see no week point in your device, but I see one possibly in the rung of the ladder. All of the weight is put on the middle of that one rung but you could distribute that weight by addling a lighter weight metal (around 9 inches wide) and shaped to the contour of the rung, like your device. This would be welded on the inside of your device, so your device would be supporting that added piece of 9" wide metal, not the small point of the rung.

[@kenskarpentry]

Thanks for the input

[@GoCoyote]

It is not the weight of the steel, but the tempering and hardening. Think of a wonder bar and how tough and strong it is. If you can find a local metal fabricator, they can help guide you to the lightest and strongest type of material that will provide the safety margins you want.

[@remushaynes2693]

i wondered how you got the hook up there to begin with but then i remembered princess probably flittered up there with her little wings and set it for you. (i realise it is fastened to the ladder but i am just having fun. in my opinion, there is nothing that princess cannot do!) sometimes one has to fashion tools that work best for the job. i used to do that as well........g

[@kenskarpentry]

Thanks for watching. Haha

[@Ojb_1959]

Great diy project. What did it cost to make the heavy hook?

[@rtoguidver3651]

I always screwed a 10ft 2x4 across to walk on and then filled the hole w/ a roofing screw. when done.. I like your idea better, all you need now is rollers on it...

[@kenskarpentry]

Nice idea with the 2x4. Rollers...hmmmm

[@rtoguidver3651]

@@kenskarpentry I meant rollers sideways, not up & down, but I guess you knew that.. Up & down would end up down to the ground..!

[@saltydog8244]

Well!!! That worked perfect. 👍👌CRAP!! Almost forgot the coffee and the view. Now we are good. RIGHT? LOL More coffee. Third time I had to edit this. I’m pretty sure I’m done now. 🤨🤪

[@kenskarpentry]

Haha. Thanks for watching

[@zukgod]

Do you put rubber on the angle iron to protect the roof? Or does it not need it?

[@hayeksteven285]

Great idea Ken, no ridge vent on your steel roofs?? Thanks for the informative videos!

[@kenskarpentry]

Thanks. We vent the entire ridge with a screen mesh. It do show up very well

[@gpcm9226]

What is the total length of the 3/8" x 2" piece of steel? Thanks for keeping us alive.

[@kenskarpentry]

I’m not sure. I think around 36”

[@randyrivera611]

i really need this sir....ohhh you save my life...can i buy this to you please?i dont bender....

[@kenskarpentry]

Sorry it took me forever to make this one

[@randyrivera611]

ok..thanks sir....

[@NateBaxley]

Great build! I need something similar for working on my existing metal roof. Do you put anything on your ladder to prevent it scratching the roof? TBH I'm pretty new to metal roofing.

[@kenskarpentry]

We padded the rails of the ladder with foam.

[@maximuslanden7856]

instablaster...

[@jonchristensen3055]

I wonder if you can modify an old leaf spring from a car or truck? Nice design!

[@kenskarpentry]

I think that’s hardened steel and you couldn’t bend it at least with outheat

[@jonchristensen3055]

@@kenskarpentry yeah, a rosebud torch. Just a thought

[@fathersonbondinggamingandm8723]

I would like to know if you would like to make & sell a pair of the style you fabricated? Awesome video,thanks for your time

[@kenskarpentry]

Thanks. But I don’t have the time to do that. Sorry

[@Vladimir_Ivanovich]

Спасибо за познавательное видео.

[@kenskarpentry]

Thank you

[@vansage2691]

Did you put anything other than angle iron on the other side to stop it from scratching the metal?

[@kenskarpentry]

Yes I put padding on the angle iron and several places on the ladder

[@dc-wp8oc]

Ken, who manufactures your metal roofing and what makes this your preference?

[@kenskarpentry]

Everlasting is the brand from Maine. I like it because it’s a thicker gauge metal.

[@dragoscapota1298]

Hi, please tell me if you wanna move the ladder on the other side of the roof you can climb on top of the roof and lift the ladder and mount it...did you try? I'm asking this because I'm in a situation that not allow me to put a ladder on the back wall of the house....neighbors fence to close.Thank you.

[@kenskarpentry]

Well... I have. Usually only if I’m in a hurry which isn’t necessarily good if you’re on the peak of the roof. Be careful. :)

[@rickb8808]

Just curious how you avoid scratching and denting the metal roofing using that. People around here go crazy if they see any marks or dents on the metal. We normally rent a arm type man lift when we use metal. We use the old fashion slide across the ridge when screwing the cap. Your right, you feel it in the legs afterwards.

[@kenskarpentry]

Yes scratches are bad we pad the hook and several places on the ladder

[@cut--]

ya I have all that equipment right in my garage thanks! =\

[@aeridyne]

Ken would you be able to make a matching pair of these for me?

[@kenskarpentry]

Probably not sorry

[@diannesapp5984]

How do you move the ladder down the ridge cap?

[@kenskarpentry]

It’s still cumbersome. Either go down on to another ladder and roll it or put one leg over the peak and scoot it over

[@greglawrence742]

No issues with scratching the roof? Did you attach some "padding" or rubber to the hook end to prevent metal to metal contact?

[@kenskarpentry]

We put padding on the hook and 4 places on the ladder.

[@julietphillips1991]

So the idea is to secure the ladder somewhat whilst working on the tippy-top of a 45 degree roof. Couldn't you make this ladder hook out of wood? Why not?

[@kenskarpentry]

Funny I am a carpenter but I don’t trust wood with my life.

[@gregpaterson330]

Does the angle iron scratch the roofing

[@kenskarpentry]

We cover it with a foam pad

[@jim7smith]

What I wanted to see was how you move to another position.

[@kenskarpentry]

I’ll try to show it in another video

[@shednut2666]

Doesn't it scratch the panels

[@hochu_svoidom]

I have a dream!) Come to the USA to learn from Americans how to build real frame houses !!! ))) Sorry for my english !!)))

[@kenskarpentry]

Thanks for watching!

[@peterdement]

Why not install permanent roof anchors?

[@kenskarpentry]

I don’t know. Would that work going across the peak?

[@peterdement]

www.industrialproducts.com/werner-a220300-permanent-roof-anchor.html?gclid=CjwKCAiA-P7xBRAvEiwAow-VaYVrtSphSMI8qHQOM1zDfEBur9IK9UYGHBIiRkColtAb5Dghm9ctwRoCuaQQAvD_BwE

[@dallasdavis3246]

@@peterdement that looks like it is for tying safety rope too not ladder

[@legoyoda645]

I would put the ladder on a lift and have someone hold it. Would be faster.

[@robviolin1]

👍👍👍

[@kenskarpentry]

Thanks

[@johnvaughn4841]

This might be a shot in the dark. Do you have one I can buy from you and I can pay for the shipping. I need one for a 30 degree roof pitch. And also one that I can hook or tie a rope to....I'm putting solar on a roof soon. I'm looking for something similar there's one a company called ridge pro makes but they want $600 for it. I'm trying to find something cheaper

[@kenskarpentry]

Sorry

[@edwardnewman160]

Time for a boro

[@MrAndrewtapia]

Can I buy one

[@kenskarpentry]

I don’t sell them. Sorry

[@realdanbuildsit]

Butt hurt. It’s a real thing when you spend a lot of time on the ridge! Got a bad case of myself once setting I Joist rafters. Had to stay up there a couple hours and nail off the hardware.

[@kenskarpentry]

Ouch

[@erinfrostbirbs5672]

use a goat hook

[@kenskarpentry]

Interesting I’ll have to look that up. Never heard of one

[@erinfrostbirbs5672]

@@kenskarpentry look it up they have a way over sized hook at the top .yaya iam a 5 gen roofer state metal i do it all this is my go to

[@chet3louisiana558]

I have one and its awesome. Mine is around 35' long. I can go wayyyyy up.

[@dragansavic7066]

❤👍 Serbia

[@kenskarpentry]

Thank you

[@randallbyrd6664]

Ingenuity makes millionaires...