I recall seeing a post a few years ago with pictures for a great ladder for use in accessing train room shelves above a layout. It reminder me of something used in libraries. I did a search but couldn't find it. Anyone have suggested on an angled ladder that's useful for accessing shelves or an around-the-ceiling layout?
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I believe Micro-Mark may have one.
Dan is right, Micro-Mark it is.
when a local Waldenbooks closed down i nabbed 4 of these...
http://www.putnamrollingladder.com/index.html
do you live in SoCal?
i still have one left.
I got one in the 80's from a shoe store going out of business it was wooden 8' plus the railing it tracked on. The real problem is how far out they track on the floor. Need lots of space and smooth hard surface. I find a ladder easier to use but you cant beat the look.
actually mine rolls on a padded carpet just fine.
between uses, it collapses against the wall.
one warning... these are pricey. Waldenbooks apparently went all out as the ones i rescued were the largest they make, with the upper extension, all brass hardware with a gloss black finish. i priced them out a few years ago and even then they would have been ~$1300 each new.
You really want to try the Topsider before you purchase. I found them very uncomfortable and awkward to use. You end up being able to only work with one hand. Tools and supplies were not easily accessible. Also the base and feet take up a very large space on the floor. The layout legs and stuff stored under the bench work were always in the way. Just my opinion........
George Lasley
One more reason to build narrow benchwork.....LOL
The one Micro sells is the light weight version, under 200 lbs IMO. Contact Topside directly for the better one. I did not know that when I got mine.
I happen to really like the access it provides. Not only for the layout but also for service of ceiling mounted plumbing & electrical needs over the benchwork and the basement windows, etc, etc
My benchwork is very curvey and rolls in and out all over the place. A rolling ladder would not work for me. The Topside Creeper can be moved to any position without regard to a fixed mounted track. Plus, I can drop the Topside steps and narrow the legs for storage. I simply could not build without it.
One note of caution. There are some abrupt edges or corners on the frame, I purchased some premium slit rubber hot water pipe insulation @ HD and fastened it in place with electrical tape where needed. One of my best tools.
3 1/2 stars on the Micro version.
5 stars on the stronger one direct from the factory.
I really like mine. It would be almost impossible to build a multi tier layout at my age (74) without this terrific device. Russ
What you might want to consider is the distance you need to negotiate. The type that roll on a track parallel to your shelves would be most stable, and likely get you closest to the object of desire. Putnam Rolling Ladder, as mentioned above is probably the main name in things of that ilk.
Simon
Rockler has all of the parts so you can build your own.
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