Mason scaffolding purchasing advice
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Pen & Wrench
Well-known member
I have whatever they sell locally. I have used scaffolding without wheels, and I have to say its much easier moving the scaffolding with the heavy duty wheels. I bought aluminum planks, but I found out that I like working on the planks that have plywood on top, because its much easier on my knees. If I buy more planks, I'll be getting the wood topped ones. I don't use mine much but I figure the purchase price was less expensive than a trip to the Emergency Room if I was to fall off a ladder, they seem much better for lots of things than standing on a ladder. And they are available for me to use any time I want.
Dumber than lumber
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I was in Northern Tool a few days ago. Surprised to see how inexpensive the stuff is.
If you need a large quantity you might check Craigslist.
If you need a large quantity you might check Craigslist.
skulldrinker
Well-known member
I like to have at least one walk through set. Nice if you have obstacles like stoops or bushes. As for planks need at least 3. You can get by with 2x12s or if you get the aluminum with plywood top ones are best.
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Wheels are a must to move it but alsi get a set of stands for options.
Jarwop
Well-known member
I don't know how much the wood topped aluminum weigh, but that might be something to consider. I originally bought official wood scaffold planks but discarded them when they seemed weak and replaced with the aluminum platforms. As you get older it is more difficult to raise the platforms to attachment height. I have casters but plan to get adjustable solid bases too.
ddurrett896
Well-known member
For siding and painting, everyone I've seen used two ladders with a platform between. I think a mason scaffold will slow you down - especially having to get it level.
buy used from Craigslist- be patient scaffolding shows up from time to time. Don't worry about it being ugly, steel scaffolding doesn't wear out.
without knowing where you are here is an example off Craigs- save money, buy used
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/mad/d/byron-scaffolding-50-per-set-wood-for/7230564220.html
without knowing where you are here is an example off Craigs- save money, buy used
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/mad/d/byron-scaffolding-50-per-set-wood-for/7230564220.html
Mainiac Mat
Well-known member
Masonry supply houses often have them as bricklayers use them all the time
I priced them out at several places and found a place that rents them for large commercial projects... we're talking hundreds of units per job. Turns out they also sell them and the prices were half that of anywhere else I could find.
I lucked out and a co-worker lent me his.
That said, get 6' tall steel pipe staging if you can. They are much more convenient than the 5' tall ones. and not that much heavier.
I priced them out at several places and found a place that rents them for large commercial projects... we're talking hundreds of units per job. Turns out they also sell them and the prices were half that of anywhere else I could find.
I lucked out and a co-worker lent me his.
That said, get 6' tall steel pipe staging if you can. They are much more convenient than the 5' tall ones. and not that much heavier.
you can buy used walk through here for $30 a piece, then you got rail adjustable legs, plank hangers and wheels, you need a least one set of good wheels. if you get a ten foot walk board, I think mine is 12, anyway, four pieces will almost do the front of the house with the long walk board in the middle
if you ever work on a metal roof, put the scaffold up at the bottom so when you slide off the roof you land on the scaffold instead of the hard ground
if you ever work on a metal roof, put the scaffold up at the bottom so when you slide off the roof you land on the scaffold instead of the hard ground
I bought some used walk-through 6' sets for doing paint/siding work on my house. I also have a set of 4' that I use for this situation where I had to set up on the first story roof to side the 2nd story next to it. I don't think this would work if the roof was more than the 4/12 pitch shown here. The aluminum with plywood walk boards are nice but even with them it's still takes some muscle to set these up by yourself. As for the wheels, if you have hard, flat ground next to the house, sure, but I couldn't have used them for most of this house. The adjustable bases are great for non-level ground.
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rburke65
Well-known member
It’s not something you’d use every day but scaffolding is a very nice tool to have. Ya won’t lose money on it.
Don1357
Well-known member
To do my garage roof I got two baker scaffolds that i could put together into a taller unit. I then had them mounted on the bed of my pick up truck and tied down, which made them about 14' tall, flush with the beginning of my roof. It is narrower and a it sways a lot more than a regular big scaffold but their versatility more than makes up for that.
The wheels turn them into a pretty outstanding cart. I needed to take a 420-pound 15" planer off the bed of the truck so it was easy enough to set the platform of the scaffold to be flush with the truck (scaffold rated for 1,000 pounds) and slide the planner out.
When not in use they can be used as the strongest shelving you'll ever have, On the pictures there are two of them that can be broken into separate shelf units. I can buy additional shelves for them.
They are easier to set and use indoors for all sorts of applications where you need to get up. I need to rune some wiring about 10 feet off the floor, so rather than using a ladder I can wheel this wherever I need it. Painting ceilings? Set it up to whatever height you need and also move around as needed.
The wheels turn them into a pretty outstanding cart. I needed to take a 420-pound 15" planer off the bed of the truck so it was easy enough to set the platform of the scaffold to be flush with the truck (scaffold rated for 1,000 pounds) and slide the planner out.
When not in use they can be used as the strongest shelving you'll ever have, On the pictures there are two of them that can be broken into separate shelf units. I can buy additional shelves for them.
They are easier to set and use indoors for all sorts of applications where you need to get up. I need to rune some wiring about 10 feet off the floor, so rather than using a ladder I can wheel this wherever I need it. Painting ceilings? Set it up to whatever height you need and also move around as needed.
gnpenning
Well-known member
You are a brave man stacking 3 sections of scaffolding on cinder blocks especially on the weakest side.
gnpenning
Well-known member
I started with walk through. You can't set planks at multiple heights so I now have a mix including different heights. Combined with adjustable legs and casters give you a lot of flexibility.
Baker scaffolding is great as well. I made shelves for carrying materials room to room.
Baker scaffolding is great as well. I made shelves for carrying materials room to room.
rickpaulos
Well-known member
I bought 3 tiers of 7' scaffold at the local home store this summer to replace my upstairs windows before the derecho storm hit and did so much damage. It's been handy to have for house repair and tree work.
First issue is the planks are aluminum side rails with plywood in between. They aren't the least bit weather proof. The plywood started showing blisters within just a few days. Any varnish applied at the factory was totally insufficient. I took them apart and painted all sides twice and the top with traction sand mixed in for better grip. I have another 2x7 scaffold (estate sale find) with an all aluminum plank that is clearly weather proof. Older but much higher quality. It has ridges and is coated with plaster from previous owners so it's not the least bit slippery. The aluminum plank has far less flex as well. I'd buy all aluminum planks (even at 2x the price) but none of the home stores have all aluminum planks in 7' lengths.
I have 4 wheels and 4 leveling screws. Use depends on the location. The wheels are great for moving around which I did a lot this fall.
First time I set up the 3 tiers, it was very wobbly. I guess that's the difference between home store grade (Menards, Northern Tool, etc) and commercial grade. Using 1 or 2 tiers, the wobble isn't noticeable. The third really reveals the wobble. I would say 3 tiers is the max height for the home owner grade. The pins and cross brace clips are all a bit loose and that contributes to the wobble. bolting everything together would firm it up but that would be rather time consuming for set up and tear down.
$1100 spent on the 3 tiers and 3 planks, level screws and wheels. I figure that's a bargain as I can surely sell it for nearly that much when I'm done with it. Local scaffold listings on craigslist, fbm, etc are rare and what does appear, sells pdq.
Even at $1k, I'm already ahead by being able to do repair work myself instead of hiring it done.
There are just some tasks you can't do on a ladder.
the standard home edition end frames won't fit in a mini van. Had to recruit a friend with a pickup truck to get those home.
I usually use a step ladder to get up and down. I strap the ladder to the scaffold so it is more stable. Beats climbing every time.
First issue is the planks are aluminum side rails with plywood in between. They aren't the least bit weather proof. The plywood started showing blisters within just a few days. Any varnish applied at the factory was totally insufficient. I took them apart and painted all sides twice and the top with traction sand mixed in for better grip. I have another 2x7 scaffold (estate sale find) with an all aluminum plank that is clearly weather proof. Older but much higher quality. It has ridges and is coated with plaster from previous owners so it's not the least bit slippery. The aluminum plank has far less flex as well. I'd buy all aluminum planks (even at 2x the price) but none of the home stores have all aluminum planks in 7' lengths.
I have 4 wheels and 4 leveling screws. Use depends on the location. The wheels are great for moving around which I did a lot this fall.
First time I set up the 3 tiers, it was very wobbly. I guess that's the difference between home store grade (Menards, Northern Tool, etc) and commercial grade. Using 1 or 2 tiers, the wobble isn't noticeable. The third really reveals the wobble. I would say 3 tiers is the max height for the home owner grade. The pins and cross brace clips are all a bit loose and that contributes to the wobble. bolting everything together would firm it up but that would be rather time consuming for set up and tear down.
$1100 spent on the 3 tiers and 3 planks, level screws and wheels. I figure that's a bargain as I can surely sell it for nearly that much when I'm done with it. Local scaffold listings on craigslist, fbm, etc are rare and what does appear, sells pdq.
Even at $1k, I'm already ahead by being able to do repair work myself instead of hiring it done.
There are just some tasks you can't do on a ladder.
the standard home edition end frames won't fit in a mini van. Had to recruit a friend with a pickup truck to get those home.
I usually use a step ladder to get up and down. I strap the ladder to the scaffold so it is more stable. Beats climbing every time.
50pascals
Well-known member
Yes, This!!
Please stack your blocks the other direction, with a chunk of 2x or microlam on top.
I know someone said the wood is easier on the knees and no doubt the rough surface is harsh I us a foam mat if I need to kneel on them. I absolutely hate heights and the aluminum ones feel a lot less springy.
Other benefits are better traction, lighter weight, and won’t rot if they sit around for 5 years between jobs. No idea what the price difference is but my dad bought a few sets 25 years ago and they still look great today.
Other benefits are better traction, lighter weight, and won’t rot if they sit around for 5 years between jobs. No idea what the price difference is but my dad bought a few sets 25 years ago and they still look great today.
rickpaulos
Well-known member
Thanks for bringing this topic up. I'll do some browsing.
Aluminum vs plywood pricing for standard 7' planks.
Metaltec Aluminum 3 pack at Northern Tool, $339 + $110 ship to home (only option) [81 pounds/3 =27 pounds]
Metaltec Aluminum 3 pack at HomeDepot, $329 (on sale for 280) free ship to local store [81 pounds/3=27 pounds]
Pro Series by Buffalo Tools all Aluminum at Home Depot $189 each free ship to store [34 pounds]
Pro-Series by Buffalo Tools all aluminum at Lowes $190 each free ship to store [34 pounds]
UST Plywood (aluminum rails) at Menards $127 each usually in store (free ship to local store) [15 pounds ???]
I bought the plywood/aluminum from menards. Not very good IMO. Rather flexible, not water proof. Had a sticker that read max 75 pounds per square inch. Surely weighs more than 15 pounds each. Can't believe every thing you read on the internets. As I mentioned above I painted the plywood. They are held together with 6 bolts. Easy to remove and disassemble. Replacing the plywood when needed won't be too difficult but it will have to be the exact same thickness to fit in the extruded aluminum rails and the exact same width so the bolts will hold it tight. I wanted to paint the edges so water trapped in the side rails would not soak into the plywood faster.
Menards is a upper midwest home store chain based in Wisconsin. A worthy competitor to Lowes & Home Depot.
Aluminum vs plywood pricing for standard 7' planks.
Metaltec Aluminum 3 pack at Northern Tool, $339 + $110 ship to home (only option) [81 pounds/3 =27 pounds]
Metaltec Aluminum 3 pack at HomeDepot, $329 (on sale for 280) free ship to local store [81 pounds/3=27 pounds]
Pro Series by Buffalo Tools all Aluminum at Home Depot $189 each free ship to store [34 pounds]
Pro-Series by Buffalo Tools all aluminum at Lowes $190 each free ship to store [34 pounds]
UST Plywood (aluminum rails) at Menards $127 each usually in store (free ship to local store) [15 pounds ???]
I bought the plywood/aluminum from menards. Not very good IMO. Rather flexible, not water proof. Had a sticker that read max 75 pounds per square inch. Surely weighs more than 15 pounds each. Can't believe every thing you read on the internets. As I mentioned above I painted the plywood. They are held together with 6 bolts. Easy to remove and disassemble. Replacing the plywood when needed won't be too difficult but it will have to be the exact same thickness to fit in the extruded aluminum rails and the exact same width so the bolts will hold it tight. I wanted to paint the edges so water trapped in the side rails would not soak into the plywood faster.
Menards is a upper midwest home store chain based in Wisconsin. A worthy competitor to Lowes & Home Depot.
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I do recognize I had the concrete blocks oriented improperly. I should have stacked them with open end up/down for loading how they would be in a wall (with a 2 x 10 on top). Here are a couple more questionable set ups... I'm older and (a little bit) wiser now...
