DIY Scaffold

[cabinetman]

I'm always needing a ladder now and then to work on tall wall units, or putting up trim. I saw this scaffold setup, and have been thinking that it may not be too hard to make a safe one, that easily comes apart and stores.

I'm throwing around some ideas of using 2x2's as frame members, and locking swivel casters.
Connecting rails and braces could be done with bed rail type fasteners, like this (which looks upside down), or this type.

Any ideas or suggestions?
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[pelligrini]

I'm sure you're thinking of using really good casters.

They're not as cheap as the other connectors, but some of the bed rail brackets might provide a more stable connection. http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=5783

Another cool option to show off some woodworking skills would be to do the rails with a tusk tennon. You'd probably have to beef up the framing members a little though.

[cabinetman]

I'm sure you're thinking of using really good casters.

They're not as cheap as the other connectors, but some of the bed rail brackets might provide a more stable connection. http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=5783

Another cool option to show off some woodworking skills would be to do the rails with a tusk tennon. You'd probably have to beef up the framing members a little though.

I thought about that, even a pin through a dowel. I think those joints might succumb to stress and fail. But, I'm open for suggestions, and that was a good one. It would definitely look cool.
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[crokett]

I don't think the HW in the first link would be strong enough. I also think I would build this with as little HW as I could, just because. Triple up on the stock for the legs and create mortises by leaving spaces in the middle piece on the legs. Cut the stretchers long to act as tenons. The platform could be a knockdown too - drill holes in the top edge of your stretchers and put pegs in the underside of your platform.

[annunaki]

Go for the Metal ones

I have two of the Yellow metal ones with accessories and I love them.
When not in use they easily come apart for storage, or you can do as I do and use them for rolling wood storage racks. If you set the platform at the right height you have a workbench that will fit over floor base cabinets.Put your miter saw or wood planer on it and roll it outside the shop where the saw dust will not be a problem. Need a rolling tool bench while working under the hood of your car- you got it. Don't limit your thoughts to it just being a scaffold.

[annunaki]

Forgot to add

Set the platform high enough to fit over a work bench and you have a great storage shelf that you can fasten a plug in florescent shop light under. When using as a scaffold, just unplug the light and leave it in place (you can remove the tubes for safety),- it shouldn't be in the way.

[chopnhack]

+1 C-man, I have one as well. They are pretty easy to assemble solo. I wouldnt hesitate to get one if it fits what you need it for. Scrap building one b/c at a work site you would need an OSHA approved product

[cabinetman]

+1 C-man, I have one as well. They are pretty easy to assemble solo. I wouldnt hesitate to get one if it fits what you need it for. Scrap building one b/c at a work site you would need an OSHA approved product

I've never been hassled (yet) on the jobsite by OSHA. The shop...that's a different story. Actually I have three sections of a regular 5'x5' steel scaffold. But the sections are heavy to carry around and takes up a large footprint. I'm thinking something easy to handle to be used mostly doing residential work. I could just buy that HF model, but that's no fun.
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[annunaki]

On Sale

Tractor Supply has the Yellow Metal ones on sale Sept 2-7
6 ft. Multi-purpose scaffolding, 12000lb working load capacity, 1/2 in plywood deck w/steel frame, 74in L x 29in W x 75 in H.
Model # 3777305
Reg $ 199.99, on sale for $149.99 Save $50.00

[Mr__Bill]

I have a folding ladder, it works as a straight ladder, an A frame or as scaffolding. The scaffolding can have two supports or one and used on stairs. I use a piece of plywood for the deck that is hindged in the middle so it folds up for transporting Only problem is it's fixed at about 4' and that a bit high to stand on in a normal room, but if does fold down into a 4' long 1' thick unit for transporting.

I expect that this is no help at all. Have you considered just using stilts?

Bill, who is beginning to consider trying to paint outdoors in the fog.....

[cabinetman]

I have a folding ladder, it works as a straight ladder, an A frame or as scaffolding. The scaffolding can have two supports or one and used on stairs. I use a piece of plywood for the deck that is hindged in the middle so it folds up for transporting Only problem is it's fixed at about 4' and that a bit high to stand on in a normal room, but if does fold down into a 4' long 1' thick unit for transporting.

I expect that this is no help at all. Have you considered just using stilts?

Bill, who is beginning to consider trying to paint outdoors in the fog.....

I've used those folding ladders and they are pretty cool but it wouldn't serve like a scaffold would. I'm thinking that the two outside sections could be made like a ladder with french cleat like cross supports (wall type members) at specified heights on the inside edges. A platform to span the supports would have the corresponding cleats (cabinet type members) to allow the platform to drop down.

To help solidify the entire structure, a bottom platform that would connect the two outside sections would connect and be gusseted to the supports (could be done with dowels and a 45 degree stretcher). What would make this scaffold handy is a tray that could drop on the tops of one of the end sections to hold tools or supplies.
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[shoottx]

If you have the time, engineering and building a scaffold system would be really interesting. If I were to build I Think I would use something like this as a prototype.

The challenge in building it with wood will be weight vs function. The other challenge in my mind is the adjustment for height in differetn situations.

As I was thinking about this one design option would be to cut 4 A frame pieces out of high grade solid core plywood to imitate the ladder sides, slots for slide through tenons at different heights, build a core box tennon for strength and a core box platform for rigidity.

Just some ambling thoughts! I may try and do a sketch of the last Idea.

[Shep]

I know that after continuous use of the metal scaffolding they tend to get a little wobbly, still sturdy though. I don't know how well a wood one would fare. Who knows C-man, I suppose you'd make yours even stronger. Just my 2 cents.