When I saw The Hook System from All Hands Fire Equipment, the first thing that came to mind was hybrid, and in a good way. It has a carbon steel head and insulates up to 20,000 volts of electricity, a comforting safety feature Window washers have been using telescoping wands for years, and we're comfortable using extension ground ladders.Ī firefighter can lock the pike pole at any length between 7 and 12 feet by twisting the center locking mechanism clockwise to lock and counterclockwise to release. Fully extended, the telescopic pike pole measures 12 feet 3 inches. Leader-North America's telescopic pike pole weighs 6.5 pounds and, when fully retracted, measures 7 feet 2 inches. Unfortunately, we don't know what we're going to encounter when we show up to a fire. The key is choosing the right length pike pole for the job.
They are also harder to locate and remove from human tissue. It's been my observation that fiberglass splinters or burrs tend to be a bit more "lethal" to hands than their wooden cousins. Pay close attention during the visual inspection so that you don't miss any splinters or burrs on the handle. If those grooves are on the same side of the pole as the pike, you'll know the location of the pike's hook after it is driven into the ceiling.įor fiberglass handles, the process should be relatively similar. One advantage of the wooden-handle pike poles is you can file finger grooves near the end of the handle for a better grip. Lastly, ensure that the head of the pike pole is still firmly affixed in its proper position.
Use a medium grit sandpaper to smooth out any minor injuries to your tool's handle, and then finish it off by applying a light coat of boiled linseed oil to protect the wood from moisture damage. Take a clean and dry cloth and slowly run it up and down the handle to help you locate damage that may not be readily visible. Give the handle a close visual inspection to identify any splintering, cracking or other damage. After every use, clean dirt and other debris from the handle using a mild detergent and water solution, rinse completely with clear water, and wipe dry with a clean cloth. Pike poles with wooden handles should receive the same care and treatment as your other wooden-handled tools. While pike poles work in drywall, there may be better choices, such as a plaster hook or sheetrock puller, to pull shiplap. Keeping your hands on the shaft makes it more likely that your hands will slide and you will not be injured if you hit an obstruction.Īfter the pike is driven through the ceiling, make a quarter turn with the tool so as to get a bigger bite of the ceiling. It can be extremely painful and damaging if you drive with your hand on that handle and strike a floor joist or some other hard obstruction - and you could even break a wrist. People store things everywhere these days, so you never know what is above you or how much is going to come down when you make that pull.Įven if the pole has a D-handle grip at the end, always drive the pike pole up into the ceiling with both your hands on the shaft. When pulling ceilings, always drive the pole up through the ceiling, step back and then pull down in front of you so as not to pull the ceiling down on top of your head. Most do not have handles suited for the lateral pressures of prying, nor are the metal heads constructed to withstand shear stress. The pike pole is not a prying tool it is a pulling and pushing tool. (Photo/Derek Eiland via Wikimedia Commons)Īlways use the right tool for the job. Keep in mind that even if they're not supposed to, adhesive hooks may peel some of the paint off the wall when you remove them.The pike pole is a pulling and pushing tool.This can weaken the adhesive, and the hook could fall off. Don't use these adhesive hooks in an area with a lot of moisture or heat, like a bathroom or kitchen.If you plan to hang on stucco outdoors, make sure you get strips that are rated for outdoor use and can withstand the elements.If you plan to hang a painting or frame with a hanging wire, be sure to choose a hook that the wire will be able to fit onto. For heavier or larger objects, you can use multiple hooks. Adhesive hooks are great for hanging clocks, frames, and other objects that can be attached to hooks.
You should choose one (or more) that can support what it is that you plan to hang. Check the packaging for information on how much weight they can support. There are a variety of adhesive strips with hooks that can be used to hang on stucco.
Use strong adhesive hooks designed for outdoor use.
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