Using a pick - Paint Talk

Philly Painter · 12-24-2007, 03:26 PM

I usually paint solo. Sometimes I hire a helper for a day or two here and there. I did alot of exterior painting on brick rowhomes this year. I'm only painting the windows, doors, trim and cornices. I've been doing all this work off of ladders. I've been wondering how much faster that I could paint if I was on a pick. The main issue is to set up a pick I need to have a helper, but I right now I'm basically a one man show. So I don't know if it would be worth the trouble of having a regular employee just because I can't physically set up a pick by myself. I'm trying to figure out if painting from a pick as opposed to a ladder with a standoff how much more time am I going to save ?

Also any recommendations for using a pick 3 stories up would be good too.

Joewho · 12-24-2007, 03:37 PM

this is where it pays to be friendly with your neighborhood carpenter. It's nothing for him to send a guy over and set you up. Throw them a few bucks and your're good to go.

jackrabbit5 · 12-24-2007, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philly Painter

I usually paint solo. Sometimes I hire a helper for a day or two here and there. I did alot of exterior painting on brick rowhomes this year. I'm only painting the windows, doors, trim and cornices. I've been doing all this work off of ladders. I've been wondering how much faster that I could paint if I was on a pick. The main issue is to set up a pick I need to have a helper, but I right now I'm basically a one man show. So I don't know if it would be worth the trouble of having a regular employee just because I can't physically set up a pick by myself. I'm trying to figure out if painting from a pick as opposed to a ladder with a standoff how much more time am I going to save ?

Also any recommendations for using a pick 3 stories up would be good too.

2007 is almost over and I haven't used up my quota of stupid questions yet, so...... please tell me, what is a pick?

JNLP · 12-24-2007, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackrabbit5

2007 is almost over and I haven't used up my quota of stupid questions yet, so...... please tell me, what is a pick?

A work platform you set across two ladder jacks so you can walk from one ladder to the other.

jmthoupaint · 12-24-2007, 05:28 PM

never mind the post

JNLP · 12-24-2007, 05:31 PM

Pick:

Ladder Jacks:

timhag · 12-24-2007, 05:34 PM

Using a pick will save alot of time, we use them whenever it calls for one. Do not try setting one alone. Grab one of your part timers to help set the pick and work him for that day. Work him the last day to help disassemble setup. You could never go wrong with a pick.

jackrabbit5 · 12-24-2007, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMCP

Pick:

Ladder Jacks:

Oh, just never heard it called that before, around here it's called a plank. I use them all the time. And yes, it is advisable to have 2 people to set them up.

JNLP · 12-24-2007, 06:59 PM

I guess you could always set up a small block & tackle on each ladder, pull pick up to desired height, then take your jacks up & secure it all. Not sure how safe that would be though.

Philly Painter · 12-24-2007, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timhag

Grab one of your part timers to help set the pick and work him for that day. Work him the last day to help disassemble setup.

The problem is I have to take the ladders and pick down everyday and set it up the next because if I'm not there my stuff will disappear.

Joewho · 12-24-2007, 09:06 PM

lol, i thought you were talking about pole jacks.

plainpainter · 12-25-2007, 01:18 AM

use pump jacks on poles instead of ladders - you don't have to disassemble each day - it just stays there.

Philly Painter · 12-25-2007, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plainpainter

use pump jacks on poles instead of ladders - you don't have to disassemble each day - it just stays there.

I thought about using pump jacks too. I'd actually prefer to use them because I could leave them there and it is possible to set them up alone. The only problem is attaching the braces to the house. These are brick rowhomes. So I'd have to drill into the bricks and mortar. Then I'm leaving a bunch of holes behind when the job is done. Also I'd be worried that the holes for the braces and the stress they'd put on the bricks and mortar might crack or otherwise damage it.

plainpainter · 12-25-2007, 10:01 AM

attach them onto the roof - lift up a shingle and nail them under a roof shingle. I've done that a few times.

jackrabbit5 · 12-25-2007, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plainpainter

attach them onto the roof - lift up a shingle and nail them under a roof shingle. I've done that a few times.

I would have serious issues with penetrating a customers roof. You can only get so far under a shingle. Do you go around and seal every single nail when you're done? What happens when the next ice dam forms?

timhag · 12-25-2007, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philly Painter

The problem is I have to take the ladders and pick down everyday and set it up the next because if I'm not there my stuff will disappear.

I hear ya, then what you need to do is submit the bid with a helper for the complete job or continue working alone off a ladder.

Joewho · 12-25-2007, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackrabbit5

I would have serious issues with penetrating a customers roof. You can only get so far under a shingle. Do you go around and seal every single nail when you're done? What happens when the next ice dam forms?

I've never used them for the same reason.

However, I have had to use roof jacks when it's the only way to reach dormers.

Best to use a really good, non-shrink product to seal up the holes. Also, it's best to catch studs if you can. Otherwise, you have to be real careful up there.....nails only going through the sheeting isn't the strongest.

At least I had the opportunity to nail up higher on the roof that the typical ice dam would reach.