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Here's the mfgr: http://www.irwin.com/irwin/consumer...Grip.jhtml

I have seen Irwin Quick-Grip clamps sold at Home Depot, Lowes, Ace Hardware, Orchard Supply Hardware, and Amazon.com

As a woodworker I use a lot of clamps.  Irwin clamps are expensive compared to the Chinese junk.  But you get what you pay for, and these do NOT slip or loosen up.  The others are imitators, these ones are the real deal and worth the expense.

Posted By ChuckDeaton on 14 Mar 2009 06:49 PM
If you are really interested contact me and meet me in Houma, LA and I will show you the equipment and how to use it. Cat 102 remains free for the asking.

Posted By Kevin on 01 Jan 2011 07:41 PM
I recently worked a general liability claim where a handyman contractor was hired to check out the damage to a homeowner's roof and the shingles gave way, he fell 16feet to the grass, snapped his spine and will spend the rest of his life in a wheel chair....4 kids ages 2yr - 16years old. Roofs are part of our business, but I sure do advise climbers to listen to that little voice that pops up every now and again saying "are you crazy? no way are we going up there".......

3 words,  "ROPE AND HARNESS".  Even a 6/12 roof is unsteady with loose granules.  My kit costs me less than the cost of the hospital copay of a minor fall. You don't need all the high dollar equipment for most roofs. If a rope can pull my big butt out of the water on a ski, it can sure steady my feet on a 6-10/12 mitch roof till I can afford the good stuff. A good harness can be bought off ebay for less than $50. If you get serious and want to handle the big stuff go get some training. After getting my certification, I found that my daughter got rock climbing training for a lot less than I paid (basically a club membership).  Just a thought.

JWG

Posted By RobG on 06 Aug 2011 01:20 PM

 

I'm a new Adjuster, recently licensed. In reading about roof safety I've read and spoken with Adjusters about safety gear. Discussing shoes, some have the latest trend and have bought Cougar Paws. Those that have bought them like them. There are other time-tested roofing shoes from Duluth, Red Wing, Thorogood, Iron Age, and others. Are the Cougars a better choice? Experienced djusters... your thoughts?

Rob,

Cougar paws are awesome to say for sure!! But never forget that the best way to keep yourself SAFE upstairs is.............Common Sense

Take it from someone who was wearing Cougar paws when I tipped a ladder and broke my leg,pelvis,ribs,jaw and a fractured skull. That happened 26 October 2009. Just recently  on 23 April 2011 one of our fellow adjusters Brian Jones shattered(not broke) shattered BOTH legs from the knees down. He just recently had a horrific infection from some of the hardware that hold his legs(what's left of them anyway) together and his life was in danger. Brian is going to be disabled for the rest of his life. It should be noted that he was ONLY on a 4/12 pitch 1 story roof . The ladder was on a smooth concrete(wet) patio and the ladder simply slid out from under him.

I am experienced and capable adjuster and Brian most certainly is one of the best adjusters I have ever worked with, but we both threw common sense out the window!!

We used other peoples ladders that we did NOT set up. Never use anyone's ladder but your own . As bad as it sounds, me and Brian are lucky !! We are lucky because quite a few adjusters over the years have DIED from the same falls we survived.

Be careful my friend, trust me the world is a better place with you in it, that goes for all rookie adjusters.

COMMON SENSE

" The ladder was on a smooth concrete(wet) patio and the ladder simply slid out from under him."

I NEVER put a ladder on concrete...period. Wet concrete is even worse. I always place my ladder in a spot that, if I fell, would do the least damage to me.  Also, drink plenty of water, you can easily become disoriented/lightheaded when you are partially dehydrated.