Help me buy some scaffolding

[Odd-job]

GJ strikes again and convinced me I need scaffolding to avoid an ER or undertaker visit. Buying makes perfect sense as always.

To be honest am a bit overwhelmed after reading the various threads and product reviews. Am planning to use the scaffolding for these primary purposes:

1. Storage in my garage and lean to
2. Replacing gutters that are about 12 ft off the ground. Painting soffits as well.

Thinking the Baker style scaffolding best fits my usage, few questions:

1. There are various brands... Baker, Werner, Franklin (Harbor Freight), and some no name brands from scaffolding outfits. Are all the accessories compatible (outriggers, jacks, etc.)? Any differences in functionality? They seem to be and have similar weight ratings (900-1100 lbs). Also noticed the Baker Metaltech has some nice features like the walkthrough floor which may or may not be practical vs quick climbing on the outside?
2. To Access the gutters means slight uneven ground on dirt/lawn. Outriggers seem like a must. Do I need 4 jacks just on the outriggers or 8 jacks for every leg?
3. The safety cage only works on the top with a platform? This means at 12 ft working height the safety cage is kind of useless as it will be in the way? If I am 5 ft 6 inches this means I would need the 2nd platform at around 8 or 9 feet for a comfortable working height.
4. Does the safety cages fold up for storage and transport?

Have some time to make the purchase. Searching Craigslist first, although Home Depot has a special buy for the Werner @ $169.

Thanks in advance for the input.

 

[duneslider]

I have the werner, bought it mostly to finish the drywall mudding in my garage and eventually in my basement. Garage is 11' ceiling height and basement is 9' ceiling height. It was extremely nice to work off in the garage and just for that I felt it was worth the money. I can't answer all your questions but I would think I could reach the 12' no problem and I didn't feel like I needed a safety cage for the 11' height, being on the solid platform and paying attention to what I was doing was just fine for my needs. I don't plan to get rid of it now that I have used it. Way to convenient to have in my opinion.

I think if you got jacks for the four poles and were only working on gutters at 12' I wouldn't bother with the outriggers. Basing this off using regular scaffold at that sort of height.

 

[PoorUB]

The "Baker" style scaffolding is fairly narrow. If you are going to work to reach twelve feet you will need two sections and outriggers are a must on soft ground. On level concrete, not so much.

Can you get the Werner for $169" I think it is out of stock.

Going that high I might consider the more commercial scaffolding, although the baker style works better inside.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/MetalTe...ces-9920-lbs-Capacity-M-MFS606084-A/203504573

https://www.homedepot.com/p/MetalTe...-Scaffolding-Work-3-Pack-M-MPA719K3/300077856

 

[brownbagg]

you can buy used at the rental stores

 

[Toolfool]

I picked up a bunch of used scaffolding and planks off FB Marketplace. The seller told me that his mother works at a rental company and OSHA requires they sell their scaffolding after a certain amount of uses. Fortunately, he passed the savings on to me.


Already coming in handy .

 

[Kaizen]

I would NOT suggest baker staging for what you are doing. I have a 6 foot baker and would only use it for a lot of work in one place like painting, driving screws for ceiling metal, drywall as mentioned. Going up and down it is sketchy. I did not use it once in my garage yet but intend to for the ceiling.
For gutters or other such work i'd stay on a ladder and use ladder jacks and a good walking plank.
I did borrow staging for my garage as i could not find any cheap enough to warrant buying and i just hate renting stuff. Unfortunately with wheels on it the staging was too high for my ceiling. so i took the wheels off and had to drag it every time i wanted to move it.
Not sure what you are talking about with storage??

 

[mikegt4]

There are many online scaffold suppliers, if you are buying new they usually have better pricing, relatively speaking, than big box stores. The kicker is shipping if you aren't close enough to pick your purchase up during normal weekday business hours. Their web sites are good research if nothing else. Here are a few, no experience with any of them.

Scaffolding Depot - OSHA Compliant Frames & Accessories + Related Gear

Scaffolding and related products. OSHA compliant. Get what you need for your construction project, delivered fast-scaffoldingdepot.com.

www.scaffoldingdepot.com

Scaffold Packaged Sets for Sale at TheScaffoldWarehouse.com

Shop online now for the highest quality Scaffold Package Sets plus Frames, Accessories, Towers, Masonry Products, Shoring Supplies and more! Visit us online or call now 866-522-6411 for best price and expert project advice.

www.thescaffoldwarehouse.com

Scaffold Store | 888-777-4133 | Scaffold Store | Quality Scaffolding, Shoring and Accessories | OSHA Tested | Largest Inventory

Buy Scaffolding Online - Official Site - Scaffold Store®

www.scaffoldstore.com

ScaffoldExpress.com: Buy Wholesale Scaffolding Online

ScaffoldExpress.com sells the highest quality Scaffold Frames, Accessories, Towers, Shoring & more! Call now 800-592-1718 for the best price & expert project advice.

www.scaffoldexpress.com

 

[firebirdparts]

Jacks every leg. I have not used outriggers, but I don't want to discourage you from it. It's hilly here; lots of opportunities to struggle.

 

[mike93lx]

If you intend to regularly work higher than a single stack of baker's, I'd look at something more substantial unless you need the narrow width.

I have two sets of baker, both werner. Bought one this summer from Lowes for about 260 and the other from HD before black Friday for 170. I likely won't ever stack the two, but have them in case I need a longer platform or I am working with someone or need a temp workbench plus the scaffold.

They store pretty compactly and the pieces aren't heavy. Getting it erected solo can be a bit of a project, but is doable

 

[racecougar]

Agreed that Baker style probably isn't the safest route for working on uneven terrain replacing gutters at 12'. Also agreed that for gutter work, a simple walkboard is all you really need. Gutters go up fast; no need to spend a day setting up scaffold for a few hours of actual work.





Bakers style is fine if space is a concern, but typical commercial style scaffold provides more room to work and a more stable base. As others have said, you can typically find it cheap on Craigslist or Marketplace.

 

[HoosierMark]

I bought two sets from Menards for working on my 14 foot barn ceiling. I found putting two ratchet straps to pull them tight took a lot of the wobble out. For outside work on uneven terrain, I also used two eight foot 2x4s attached to the bottom and sticking out four foot. On the end of each I put a trailer jack. This gave me a wider foot print and allowed me to crank up the jack to level the scaffold. Lot easier then using blocks. I attached the 2x4s via bolts thru the scaffold, easy to put on and off.

 

[jimkinney]

you can buy used at the rental stores

Around here you can't even rent scaffolding at the rental centers, except for the baker rack types.

I found 10 sections with 4 walk boards on Craigslist, then purchased another section and extra cross braces at HomeDepot.

I've been using it to paint a two story house, although slowly. Best money I've ever spent.

Neighbors keep asking how much to paint their houses and I tell them they can't afford me.

 

[Odd-job]

Thanks all for the value added input. Based on the above elevated working height feedback, I think I am realizing baker scaffolding has its limitations especially working on uneven ground around landscaping. I think I am going to get at least one section of scaffolding for working at lesser heights on even ground around my 1 story garage + shelving/storage. This also eliminates the need for jacks and outriggers. Am going to eye craigslist and rental companies.

Sounds like some sort of ladder supported platform is also in order. Watching the youtube videos on ladder jacks on extension platforms looks a little sketchy. Am liking racecougar's setup with the the A frame multiuse ladders. Plus I already have a Little Giant 22 already. Am I correct with the 22 ft (reach) ladders in the A frame position equates to a platform height of 7 feet off the third rung or so?

Answering questions and clarifications:

Not sure what you are talking about with storage??

An partially thinking of the following workbench setup. https://www.homedepot.com/p/MetalTe...nch-1100-lbs-Load-Capacity-I-CISCMT/305947855

In reality I'll probably just end up piling stuff on the scaffolding as a glorified shelf and rarely if ever use it as scaffolding.

I also used two eight foot 2x4s attached to the bottom and sticking out four foot. On the end of each I put a trailer jack.

Like this idea, do you mind posting a picture of this setup?

 

[HoosierMark]

Sorry I have them stored away. Visualize bolting a 2x4 approximately 18 inches (=/-) high horizontially to the two ends of the scaffold. Scaffold is approximately 3 feet wide so they will stick out five feet. Now mount a trailer jack near the end of each 2x4. I bought my jacks from harbor freight that have U bolts to secure to a trailer frame. When done using them, unbolt and store with the scaffolding for next time. My front barn wall sloped away from the building so when we were installing the metal it was easy to move the scaffold and keep it level. I guess you could use 2x6 or 2x8 if you felt you needed more strength.

 

[Odd-job]

Sorry I have them stored away. Visualize bolting a 2x4 approximately 18 inches (=/-) high horizontially to the two ends of the scaffold. Scaffold is approximately 3 feet wide so they will stick out five feet. Now mount a trailer jack near the end of each 2x4. I bought my jacks from harbor freight that have U bolts to secure to a trailer frame. When done using them, unbolt and store with the scaffolding for next time. My front barn wall sloped away from the building so when we were installing the metal it was easy to move the scaffold and keep it level. I guess you could use 2x6 or 2x8 if you felt you needed more strength.

Thanks I think I can visualize that. Pretty slick and more versatile than the standard screw jacks + outriggers.

 

[bighouse01]

I bought 3 sections of scaffolding used. One section has wheels. Built my own platform. I don’t use it regularly and it sits leaned up behind my shed. But when I do need it, it sure is nice to have.

Don’t overthink it, get some stuff and get the job done.

 

[Quick240]

Does the safety cages fold up for storage and transport?

Yes, the cage is made up of two pieces. Each piece is one end section and one side section. The end sections are hinged so they act like gates when they're on the scaffold, and allow for the pieces to fold flat when removed.

 

[dfiler2]

I have 3 sets that I have had for years that I bought from Scaffoldmart.com If you are going to use them outside be sure to get a set of "levelers/jacks", very easy to use and you gain a little height.

Scaffolding - Scaffold Jacks - ScaffoldMart.com

Scaffolding Accessories - Scaffold Jacks - Scaffolding & Scaffold Accessories at the Best Possible Prices

www.scaffoldmart.com

 

[Odd-job]

Don’t overthink it, get some stuff and get the job done.

Looks like I am pulling the trigger on Little Giant telescoping platform. Already have another ladder on the way. This will get the job done for now.

Scaffolding is now in the longer term plans...

allow for the pieces to fold flat when removed.

Thanks for this. Looks like I might hold off on this one for now as a safety cage is probably not needed for one stack.

 

[brownbagg]

over the years i collected bougth 14 pieces, if you do this make sure you store them with the legs off the ground and no dirt inside the legs, that what rots first. when ever i have paint left over, that where it goes, slap it on thick, so mine are about ten different colors but they are over 30 years old.

 

[vavet]

I bought two sets of the baker style scaffolding, the only time I had to use the second set was after the garage ceiling was dry walled and I needed to get up there to blow in the insulation in all the corners. It was sketchy as hell and moved around a lot more than i thought it would. it was really a ladder at that point for me.
I kept one set and sold the other set to a guy who was starting up his own handyman business.

 

[mike93lx]

I bought two sets of the baker style scaffolding, the only time I had to use the second set was after the garage ceiling was dry walled and I needed to get up there to blow in the insulation in all the corners. It was sketchy as hell and moved around a lot more than i thought it would. it was really a ladder at that point for me.
I kept one set and sold the other set to a guy who was starting up his own handyman business.

Ratchet straps in an x tightenens them right up.

When I use just one, I like using a 2x4 diagonally and a couple clamps. Really makes a huge difference in stability

 

[WhiteHare]

I thought this guy did an excellent job of describing the shakiness/stability of different heights of baker style scaffolding, as well as some of the ways to compensate:

It seems to address all of the OP's questions.

I myself am having the same sorts of questionis. I'm considering getting some folding scaffolding so as to have faster set-up and teardown, as I mainly need it for putting/getting heavy boxes on-and-off of high shelves. I've tried using a regular ladder, but surely there must a safer way

 

[denis4x4]

When we remodeled, had a lot of field stone masonry work done. The company said that they were constantly replacing units and I bought the old ones for a hundred bucks 25 years ago and still using them

 

[JRC3]

Outriggers? Pft! 2 level max? Pft! The guys painting the ceiling of a lanai at a customer's house didn't care about any of that.

Before they left there was also a 6' step ladder and a pole being used on top of that.

 

[Slednut]

For uneven terrain I built these to finish my addition. I'm sure I'll get slammed but they were very sturdy and if I had made a railing they would have been very safe. Of course they were a one time use and then dismantled.

 

[Odd-job]

Outriggers? Pft! 2 level max? Pft! The guys painting the ceiling of a lanai at a customer's house didn't care about any of that.

Before they left there was also a 6' step ladder and a pole being used on top of that.

looks like they also forgot the safety cage on top!

 

[Firebrick43]

For uneven terrain I built these to finish my addition. I'm sure I'll get slammed but they were very sturdy and if I had made a railing they would have been very safe. Of course they were a one time use and then dismantled.

Sort of dark and hard to tell.

Was the bottoms staked or the top attached to the wall?

 

[Zeke]

Standard frame and brace scaffolding is the best, but heavy and bulky. Should be plentiful used slog with accessories but when you price the casters, that will surprise you. Next is the leveling jacks. Even plank rated boards are expensive. Never use framing lumber. It's not cut right for horizontal support.

 

[brownbagg]

if you store them keep the legs out of the dirt, it will rot them, also if you have any paint left over, slap it on them to keep from rusting

 

[tarmy]

Damnit…this thread is going to cost me a bundle…

 

[WhiteHare]

What I found out is that that MetalTech's Buildman series of scaffolding is more stable than their cheaper yellow version, because you can screw some bolts in to take out some of the slop, but they cost 2x the price of the yellow ones for that incremental benefit. Crazy!

Anyhow, I finally realized that I'd have to fit boxes *through* the trap door of baker style scaffolding, and that seems awkward at best. So, I guess masonry scaffolding would be the way to go, as it is wider and so it would be easier to pass boxes up/down from one level to the next. Setup would be more work though.... Still pondering if there even exists a good solution for moving heavy boxes up and down to shelving that's 15 feet off the ground.

 

[MikeC55]

I looked into renting them and found it made more sense to buy used (3 sections with planks cost what a weeks rental would have been). Stacking them is difficult when doing it alone. I made of this hoisting attachment with block & tackle to help.

 

[racecougar]

I looked into renting them and found it made more sense to buy used (3 sections with planks cost what a weeks rental would have been). Stacking them is difficult when doing it alone. I made of this hoisting attachment with block & tackle to help.

The trick is to stand on the planks of the first level, reach down and pick up the end frame, and set it in place atop the first. If you're trying to stack the second end frame onto the first from the ground, yes, that would be difficult.

Just used some of mine again this weekend while putting up this roof over the deck:

 

[JRC3]

Still pondering if there even exists a good solution for moving heavy boxes up and down to shelving that's 15 feet off the ground.

There are good solutions, might cost a bit more though. https://www.grainger.com/product/GENIE-General-Purpose-Manual-Material-4YZ89

 

[Odd-job]

Damnit…this thread is going to cost me a bundle…

The irony is this thread caused me to buy things I didn't know I needed like ladder jacks and an extendable plank. Am still on the lookout for some scaffolding, but have put that in the "buy when the opportunity arises".

 

[MikeC55]

The trick is to stand on the planks of the first level, reach down and pick up the end frame, and set it in place atop the first.

My back says no, no no!

 

[Slednut]

Sort of dark and hard to tell.

Was the bottoms staked or the top attached to the wall?

Tops were screwed to the wall and no on the bottom.

 

[WhiteHare]

There are good solutions, might cost a bit more though. https://www.grainger.com/product/GENIE-General-Purpose-Manual-Material-4YZ89

That would be great. Thanks. However, $6,011. I was hoping for something around $1,000ish, even if it's not as deluxe.

 

[Joemctag]

For uneven terrain I built these to finish my addition. I'm sure I'll get slammed but they were very sturdy and if I had made a railing they would have been very safe. Of course they were a one time use and then dismantled.

When I did siding for a couple months in 1978 in Texas, we’d slap those together for the job with a few rungs to climb on. Carpenters didn’t use “real” ladders. Just something slapped together with rungs about 2 or 3 feet apart. Really.