DIY Wooden Scaffolding basics.
#1
08-04-05, 08:57 PM
DIY Wooden Scaffolding basics.
I am going to be painting my home and replacing some of the T1-11 siding where needed in about a month. (I will be using my two-vacation to do this.)
I have decided that I definitely want scaffolding to do this. I'm not real fond
of ladders. I've priced scaffolding and it is pretty expensive and doesn't have the adjustability that I want. I basically need a 3-foot scaffold height on two sides of my home, a 4-foot on one side, and mostly 5 on another, with a max of 7-foot at one section. Also, the rental opportunities within reasonable driving range are slim. Long story short, I want to build my own scaffolding. I planned to put in on four hard wheels so I can kind of move it around. I have gone to the hardware store and looked at the various metal things that reinforce where one might join two or more pieces of wood, but I have no idea how strong is strong enough for certain key things. Like will a 2 X 4 be okay for each of the
four uprights? (I expect it to be about 3 feet wide and 8 feet long.) And is it safe to have multiple 2 X 4's and a piece of plywood thrown on top for a working platform? Are there any simple sketches on the web anywhere? I've looked but only got complicated engineering websites that I didn't understand. Any guidance would be helpful. I would hate to bolt a bunch of wood together only to realize that it was heavier than I could possibly move or too flimsy. Speaking of bolts, are two 1/4 inch bolts strong enough in each end of a supporting 2 x 4? I expect a loading of only 250 pounds, me and either a sheet of T1-11 or a 5-gallong paint pail. Thanks!
I have decided that I definitely want scaffolding to do this. I'm not real fond
of ladders. I've priced scaffolding and it is pretty expensive and doesn't have the adjustability that I want. I basically need a 3-foot scaffold height on two sides of my home, a 4-foot on one side, and mostly 5 on another, with a max of 7-foot at one section. Also, the rental opportunities within reasonable driving range are slim. Long story short, I want to build my own scaffolding. I planned to put in on four hard wheels so I can kind of move it around. I have gone to the hardware store and looked at the various metal things that reinforce where one might join two or more pieces of wood, but I have no idea how strong is strong enough for certain key things. Like will a 2 X 4 be okay for each of the
four uprights? (I expect it to be about 3 feet wide and 8 feet long.) And is it safe to have multiple 2 X 4's and a piece of plywood thrown on top for a working platform? Are there any simple sketches on the web anywhere? I've looked but only got complicated engineering websites that I didn't understand. Any guidance would be helpful. I would hate to bolt a bunch of wood together only to realize that it was heavier than I could possibly move or too flimsy. Speaking of bolts, are two 1/4 inch bolts strong enough in each end of a supporting 2 x 4? I expect a loading of only 250 pounds, me and either a sheet of T1-11 or a 5-gallong paint pail. Thanks!
#2
08-05-05, 06:29 AM
Member
I'd really like to be supportive and helpful here, but I think you meandered way too far over into the bad idea lane
I don't think there is anyway a wood scaffolding, built sturdy enough, will be movable on wheels
I also don't think it will be any cheaper once you factor in ALL the wood and hardware you'll need to make it sturdy
Have you looked at pump jacks?
How about an articulated ladder used as a platform?
You can also use step ladders and make a "scaffolding" type platform
None of these would work for you?
I don't think there is anyway a wood scaffolding, built sturdy enough, will be movable on wheels
I also don't think it will be any cheaper once you factor in ALL the wood and hardware you'll need to make it sturdy
Have you looked at pump jacks?
How about an articulated ladder used as a platform?
You can also use step ladders and make a "scaffolding" type platform
None of these would work for you?
#3
08-05-05, 07:18 AM
I agree with slickshift - for the scaffold to be stout enough it would be way to heavy to move. You really should check into renting them, you won't need to go over 2 bucks high. As noted above you can place a walkboard on 2 ladders or even make saw horses to rest walk boards on.
#4
08-05-05, 06:39 PM
Okay, you guys are breaking my heart here, but I guess if I went with sawhorses, I could stack platforms or use them for dining room furniture if they don't turn out so well. And it appears design plans for sawhorses are a bit more common on the web than scaffolding plans. If that looks too iffy, I guess I could buy a few small step ladders and then give them away as Christmas gifts when I'm done. "Bad idea lane". I liked that one. 
You guys have my sincere thanks. Take care.
You guys have my sincere thanks. Take care.
#5
08-06-05, 12:13 PM
I kind of think it would work. I know 1 thing I would not be using an articulated ladder. Joneq did that once a long time a go and it was not pretty. I might change a few thngs though. Rather than 4 wheels I would use 2 and pull it around like a rickshaw. The wheels will be the weak spot so they should be substantial. The larger they are,within reason, the easier to move. I would also include some kind of fold out brace to keep it from falling away from the house, especially the 7' version. I would consider making it out of metal pipe too. Like this
http://www.interclamp.com/page8.html
The fourth row down at the end the yellow thing made to your specifications looks good to me as long and you could use a fitting like this for the brace
http://www.interclamp.com/173.JPG
The plywood base should be removable. I would make it a little bit bigger than the outside dimentions of the top[where the ply would go] and screw a 2by 4 to the bottom the dimention of the inside of the top so it could drop in and not move, yet be removed to lower and raise the height.
To lower and raise the height I would make the wertical poles 7' long and use only these fitting for the corners.
http://www.interclamp.com/116.JPG.
I haven't thought it much further than that and it will be more expensive than wood, but you could do basically the same thing with wood if you want. I not worried about the 250 lb weight limit with the metal ,but you might want to beef up the 2by4 if you use them, especially at 7'. This place is in England, but they sell them here too.
If you go metal you may be able to sell it when you are done.
Just my thoughts you gotta use your head when you are working on stuff like this,but I would not be too worried as long as it could not fall away from the house.
http://www.interclamp.com/page8.html
The fourth row down at the end the yellow thing made to your specifications looks good to me as long and you could use a fitting like this for the brace
http://www.interclamp.com/173.JPG
The plywood base should be removable. I would make it a little bit bigger than the outside dimentions of the top[where the ply would go] and screw a 2by 4 to the bottom the dimention of the inside of the top so it could drop in and not move, yet be removed to lower and raise the height.
To lower and raise the height I would make the wertical poles 7' long and use only these fitting for the corners.
http://www.interclamp.com/116.JPG.
I haven't thought it much further than that and it will be more expensive than wood, but you could do basically the same thing with wood if you want. I not worried about the 250 lb weight limit with the metal ,but you might want to beef up the 2by4 if you use them, especially at 7'. This place is in England, but they sell them here too.
If you go metal you may be able to sell it when you are done.
Just my thoughts you gotta use your head when you are working on stuff like this,but I would not be too worried as long as it could not fall away from the house.
