Portable Scaffold

[kool55]

Has anybody used the roll around type scaffold?Bil-jax has it along with Northern Tool.It`s about 30'' wide by 6' long by 6' high.You can add sections to go higher.NorthernTool #143272 for 189.00 ,looks ok. My shop ceiling is 13' 8'' high and I don`t want to work off a ladder. Thanks

 

[kbs2244]

Most of the big box stores carry them if you want to check them out.
I have used them at single height and had no problems.
I don't know about double high though.
They just seem a little to narrow and possibly "tippy" if you get them up too far.
That is the advantage of the "full size" scaffolding.
Their advantage is they fit through doorways and in the back of pickups.

 

[kool55]

I would have about a 7' max. platform height in my application with a twin stack. Bil-jax offers out riggers and you can stack those 3 high even though I would not do it.

 

[W-Cummins]

I have 3 sections of the cheap import stuff it's ok.. I'm not sure the USA made stuff is better might be a bit better built but it's way over 2X the cost. At three high it's a little shakier than I like it. I got it, and the outboard casters and railing kits for about $720 shipped to my door.

William...

 

[rcleaver]

Safety should be the main concern in using scaffolding. Here's some that's certified:

http://www.scaffoldmart.com/

 

[boiler7904]

How much do you plan to use the scaffolding once you get done with the current project? If you only need it for a couple of days or weeks, look at renting it. Cheaper and you don't have to store it until the next project comes up years from now. Depending on the type of work and amount of it, you might want to look at renting a small electric manlift. If so, make sure you get non-marking tires for it.

I'm in a similar situation as you. From what I saw on all of the various websites, if you stack this type of scaffold, you need the outriggers (about $100) and a set of guardrails (about $150) to make it safe. The one question that I have and can't seem to find an answer to is if you have the upper platform set below the max height, do the guardrails fit around the uprights that are above the platform?

I have a 14'-6" tall foyer that needs to be painted, have crown molding installed, and have a new light fixture hung. My thinking is that I can always find a use for scaffolding here - lighting in the family room, lighting in the garage, outdoor work, plus whatever my relatives want to borrow it for but do I want to tie up several hundred dollars plus all of the space it takes to store it in my smallish 2 car garage.

 

[Mussel Kar]

I got two sets from Home Desperate. Not a lot of money. They are currently in the garage waiting for me to start the ceiling. When the time comes I will span the two of them with planks to have a 16' x 6' rolling work platform.

 

[kvom]

I bought one of these at Lowes, and have used it throughout the construction of my garage. I have 13' ceilings. Between running wiring along and through the joists, installing lighting and bulbs, etc., I think it was one of my better buys.

Once I'm done with construction it comes apart in 3 flat sections for storage.

 

[W-Cummins]

I'm in a similar situation as you. From what I saw on all of the various websites, if you stack this type of scaffold, you need the outriggers (about $100) and a set of guardrails (about $150) to make it safe. The one question that I have and can't seem to find an answer to is if you have the upper platform set below the max height, do the guardrails fit around the uprights that are above the platform?

As you can see ( at least with the model that I have ) the railing attaches to the platform not the frames so it moves up and down with it.... only problem is that if you have it lower than the top you have to climb over the end to get into the "cage" on the top the ends open in to the platform but if it was lower than the top by much you would have to climb over it.... The whole thing knocks down to not take up much room when you store it but you would have the $$$ *******.


William....

 

[Uncle Buck]

I would encourage anyone using a system such as the one W-Cummins had displayed above to tie off to an attachment point once you start stacking this system. I think you should tie off even if you have the hardware kit that increases the footprint of this system. The system pictured is considerably narrower than a standard scaffold system and I do not think the added safety margin would be a bad idea, even if not called for by the manufacturer.

I am not meaning to be critical of this system, but I think my idea does have merit.

BTW: I am an OSHA certified 10-30 hr trainer for both construction and general industry and work as a safety consultant for the state.

 

[bluesman2a]

I have two sections of that exact same scaffolding from Northern Tool. I used it when working on my 15' foot ceilings in my build. I hate ladders, so for me, it was one of THE BEST investments out there.

I will also say that I'm a BIG guy. With a single stage, they are absolutely rock solid. Often we would just leave the casters unlocked and scoot/pull ourselves around for the lower work. With the two stages stacked like W-Cummins pictures, there was a little extra movement, but it still felt secure. Please note, I did not have the safety rails pictured above, those would have been nice.

 

[bluesman2a]

I would encourage anyone using a system such as the one W-Cummins had displayed above to tie off to an attachment point once you start stacking this system. I think you should tie off even if you have the hardware kit that increases the footprint of this system. The system pictured is considerably narrower than a standard scaffold system and I do not think the added safety margin would be a bad idea, even if not called for by the manufacturer.

While I do not disagree with hholmberg (safety is NEVER a bad thing), I would not say it's strictly necessary. Even with my WIDE posterior over 10' off the ground it still felt stable. The only exception to this would be with a double-stack when trying to "scoot" toward the narrower direction (side-to-side). I know on mine I have WELL over a cumulative week or more worth of time up on the top of a double stack.

Again, of course this has no bearing on the safest way to do it. I say this merely to say it's a solid product and has worked well in my application.

 

[kool55]

Thanks for the info guys.I checked out the Scaffold mart site recleaver. Their narrow system only adjusts at 12'' increments as opposed to the 2''-4'' of the Northern Tool or Bil-jax.The Bill-jax also has a guard rail available that follows platform height.Idon`t like ladders or working at heights so the guardrail option is nice.My concern is at 6' platform height with a 13'8'' ceiling I am about 1' shy of working comfy at that level.

 

[hidollartoys]

RENT SOMETHING @ weeks for about $200.00. It's just one more thing that you have to trip over when not in use. JMO

 

[autoist]

I got mine at Lowe's...can't add to it that I know of...but its good to reach up to the 11'4" ceiling in my garage.

 

[IDASHO]

Ive got a 13' ceiling too. Ran into the same issues.

So I built this...

Building that scaffold has proven to be one of the best decisions Ive made on the project. Plus, it doubles as a junk collector

 

[Steve in Mi]

Plus, it doubles as a junk collector

Yup! It looks like a loft to me too. Lofts are for storage, right?

Great work-a-round to solve the problem.

 

[Torque1st]

Ive got a 13' ceiling too. Ran into the same issues.


Building that scaffold has proven to be one of the best decisions Ive made on the project. Plus, it doubles as a junk collector

Put another platform (or two) on the bottom side and you have roll around shelves.

 

[IDASHO]

I already have.

It has one shelf sitting on the bottom frame, and one midway. Currently it is testing the limits of the casters...


And as I said.... junk collector

 

[Torque1st]

Sounds like you need to upgrade the casters and use the ones you have on something else.

 

[boiler7904]

Never really thought about building a temporary scaffold myself. Will have to think about that one a little more.

 

[voetsek]

I used the bil-jax stuff commercially for a while. When double stacking you have to use the outriggers or it gets a little iffy. The safety rails are up to you, but they get in the way. My suggestion would be to either rent a set for a weekend to see how you like them or to go to a rental or scaffolding shop and have them assemble a double stack to see if you would like it. Much easier than second guessing yourself without having seen it in person and both places usually are helpful as they want to make a possible sale. Most rental places should have the stuff.

 

[twostory]

I built my roll around platform for about $30. I dissassembled it after the build, but I still have the wheels & vertical 2x6s to build another one.

My second story is 12.5 ft off the ground. I used this platform to frame the second story and do most of the high work required before I move my cars into the garage.

 

[mw_98]

I put an ad in the paper that I was looking for a used Bil-Jax. I got a great deal from a place that sells scafolding. He typically didn't rent them but a relative used a set for awhile and he couldn't sell it as new. I have not stacked it but it has come in very helpful for me and my friends. Put an ad on Craig's List. You never know who might have a set laying around.

 

[kool55]

This is what I ended up doing.

I had some framed wall sections laying around so I used them. Saved some bucks for other stuff.This will get me by for what I need to do in the shop. It's rock solid too.

 

[nehog]

I have three sections of commercial scaffolding (staging) that I got when I built my garage. One hell of a good investment, I got decking pieces, and wheels and when I have to do work on the ceiling it is so nice. A width of 30 inches seems, to me, to be a bit narrow, mine is much wider (I want to say 60 inches) but I only cover 2/3 of it, with two deck pieces. Cost was, in the end, nominal. It all disassembles easily for storage so it doesn't take any space (the metal parts store outdoors, the deck pieces are inside).

Oh, side benefit... If I need an emergency workbench for something, the decking pieces fit on a couple of sawhorses nicely too...

 

[John in OH]

I was faced with the same problem when I began to wire my new garage with 12 ft ceilings. I considered the Northern Tool, Lowes, and Tractor Supply scaffolds as they are all similar (it actually appeared to me that the Northern and the Lowes scaffold were identical). However, I had a similar concern regarding the limited height of a single lift (I'm 5'-11") and I didn't really want to spend the money for a second lift.

But, CL came to the rescue!! Found a double lift of used galvanized scaffold with casters and one walkboard for $200. Rental would have killed me as I work very slooooowwwly ... I've been using the scaffold for over two months now and haven't even begun the ceiling insulation or light installation work.



I made a few modifications ... first, I built a full width platform at the first rung height on the second lift which got my head to the bottom of the ceiling joists. By moving the walkboard up to the second set of rungs on the second lift to create a second narrow platform, my head and shoulders are now just at the top of the ceiling joists ... a near perfect height for much of the work. The full width platform also provides lots of room for laydown of tools and material. Second modification (not shown in the photos) was to add 2x4 hand rails along both sides.

One set of the casters are fixed, the second swivel, so by pulling on the ceiling joists and pushing slightly sideways with my **** I can roll and steer the scaffold over limited distances without climbing down.

When I finish with the ceiling work (probably several months away) I'll either sell the scaffold or dismantle and store in another outbuilding.