teach me about scaffolding- small job to do

[rfuerst911sc]

As I continue my garage/man cave work I'm ready to staple reflective foil to the underside of the roof rafters. At the peak about 15 ' high near the ends about 10 '. I really don't want to use a ladder as it will be too slow as I'll have to move it every 2 ' . So I'm thinking scaffolding preferable on wheels so I can pull myself along rafter by rafter. I'm 5 ' 10 " tall so I need a scaffold that gets my feet at about 10 '. The ceiling is currently wide open so I think scaffold on wheels will be the quickest. I also plan on using the scaffold to install the batts of insulation and then the ceiling itself ( tongue and groove ) . I'm a one man show so it will be used for several weeks so I think renting might be out of the picture. Looks like there is all kinds of used scaffolding on Craigslist for sale. So what do I need to know about scaffolding ? The floor is concrete with vinyl tiles so wheels will move easily. Other than hiring it out is there an easier way I missed ?

[stomachmonkey]

No suggestions other than that seems like a high center of gravity to be moving around from up top.

Sounds tippy.

[drcoastline]

Scaffolding isn't all that easy to erect or move around. Yes some have wheels but still very unstable and unwieldy. It isn't all that safe either but ten feet isn't so bad a height.

How about a scissor lift? It can be operated from the lift so you don't have to keep going up and down.

[J P Stein]

Steel Safeway style scaffolding is about 6 feet tall, 2 end braces & 2 "X" braces for each unit. Easy to assemble but you also need a couple of 12 foot long
2 X 12s to stand on. Wheels are available.
Finding a good rental shop is up to you.

Yup, kind of a PITA but safe.....much better than some lash-up.
I built then crawled around on that stuff up to around 50-60 feet in the air for years......but I was younger then.

[dad911]

I have/use scaffolding. You likely don't want to stand on top, with nothing around you, so get enough sections so that you have a work surface/guard. I also don't like/need/use wheels. You want the stability when you are up high, and two people can easily slide a few sections around.

[dad911]

Originally Posted by J P Stein

....Easy to assemble but you also need a couple of 12 foot long 2 X 12s to stand on......

I wouldn't use std 2x lumber as planks. Not rated for side loads and are bouncy.

[J P Stein]

Originally Posted by dad911

I wouldn't use std 2x lumber as planks. Not rated for side loads and are bouncy.

True. Rough cut 2 X 12s......which are actually 2 inches thick. It's been a few years, but I think they now have aluminum planks.

[Rick V]

Power scissor lift?

[URY914]

If you go two sections high it will be tough to move/roll it while you are on top. You'll need to climb down and move it over, a big PITA. It will really slow your production. You'll need to buy all the pieces from the same manufacturer too. Not all parts are interchangeable.

Your best bet would be to rent a small scissor lift for a week. Power up, power down, self propelled, faster and safer than building and moving scaffolding by yourself. You'll get the job done in 25% of the time vs rolling scaffolding.

[wdfifteen]

I've rented a couple of different kinds. i rented a light-duty, indoor only style that has 5 foot high sections, aluminum catwalks, and wheels from Sunbelt that is probably the thing you need. The wheels are there to help to you move it around while you're on the floor. I've seen guys scooch the scaffold around from the top, but I wouldn't do it. Sunbelt is associated with Lowe's around here.

[BeyGon]

Dipso had some interesting scaffold ideas but he is on vacation at the moment.

[porsche4life]

Power scissor lift?

Small scissor lifts are 30" wide. Easy to get in a door and will make your life much, much easier!

[dennis in se pa]

Why not build something out of 2 x's? Something designed to suit the job. You could disassemble it afterwards and reuse the wood.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Small scissor lifts are 30" wide. Easy to get in a door and will make your life much, much easier!

I have a 18 ' wide garage door so entering with a small lift is no issue. It sounds like this may be the way to go .

[ckelly78z]

A scissor lift is so much easier to use and move around. It also provides a safer platform that can be raised or lowered at incremental amounts so you aren't reaching out or squatting down. I really think you could get it all done on a Saturday with the help of a friend. Go get the lift on a Friday at 4:00 and you won't have to bring it back until Monday morning at 8:00, and only get charged for one full day, this is what we have done on various rental equipment, and it always works out so much better than the standard 24 hours in the middle of the week.

You will need a truck and trailer to haul it, or you can rent that also, it is still much less hassle than dealing with scaffolding.

[rfuerst911sc]

I have a car trailer so picking up a scissor lift shouldn't be an issue. I'll have to look around and see what's available in the area. I gotta think just outside of Atlanta there has to be some to choose from.

[drcoastline]

Have the rental company deliver it.

[porsche4life]

In some places Home Depot has them.

Check prices, the smaller rental cos are usually cheaper than the big national outfits.


Should run you 200-400 depending on how long you keep it. Once you use one you will start looking for reasons you need to own one!

[gwmac]

+1 scissor lift, safer and faster otherwise I would just use a ladder, would be about as fast as procuring a scaffold and erecting moving etc.

[Eric 951]

Rent a narrow electric scissorslift (United, Sunblet, NES)

or buy the Baker's scaffold from Harbor Freight, inexpensive and perfectly capable for what you are doing--easy to set up and is mounted on small casters for mobility.