Step ladder to the pros

There is probably no single piece of equipment that is more common in home shops and garages than the trusty old step ladder. For chores ranging from painting and framing to cleaning windows and changing light bulbs, step ladders are the ideal choice.

So what do you have in your garage? If you're still lugging around a splintery wood behemoth you inherited from grandpa or are trying to make do with a wobbly aluminum misfit that you picked up one day because it was the cheapest one available, maybe it's time to start thinking upgrade. All ladders are not created equal, and Werner's new Contractor's Jobstation certainly proves that point.

Whoever designed this ladder has actually used ladders on jobsites before. And while you don't typically associate "bells and whistles" with a ladder, the Contractor's Jobstation certainly has them.

The fiberglass Jobstation is available in two sizes -- the 6-foot Model OBCN06, $140, and the 8-foot Model OBCN08, $165. It has a very hefty load rating of 375 pounds, and once it's open and locked, you immediately see that it has a nice, sturdy feel. The metal treads are ribbed for better traction, and the wide ribbed feet, riveted steel braces and well-engineered leg locks add to the stability.

Now for some of the fun stuff -- those little accessories that can change working on a ladder from shaky and precarious to comfortable and safe.

On one of the cross braces at the rear of the ladder is a large metal hook that faces toward you when you're on the ladder. It's an ideal size and location for hanging a level, hand saw, nail gun, or other tool that would normally be too large and awkward to balance safely on a ladder.

The top of the ladder -- Werner calls it the HolsterTop -- is designed with the user in mind. There is a strong magnetic strip running across the width of the ladder top that will hold larger screws, bolts, and even tools. In front of that is a large recessed well for keeping smaller fasteners and parts from rolling off. A large round hole in the top acts as a handy holder for your cordless drill. To one side of the well is a slot that allows you to clip your tape measure where it's handy and secure but still out of the way. Along the back side of the ladder top are additional holes for screwdrivers. ...CONTINUED

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