Scaffolding/ladder Jacks And Plank

GoodPainter

I just bought some scaffolding and plan on buying more ladders and
some planks for upcoming(big jobs)

I set up the scaffolding 5' high two sections no problem
but how do go about setting up higher.
Do you have two guys lift up each side and climb and set on and brace
and just climb with another side?

How about ladders and planks-- I know to set up ladders then each guy takes and end of the plank and they each walk up the other
ladder but, how do you guys tie off or secure the planks/ladders
to the house or what?

Do you use the windows for some securing?

I am just worrying about safety since I will prob be doing big jobs this
summer and prob be hiring some guys too.

I will be using harnesses and lines for the scaffolding on any more than
two sections(meaning 15ft and above)

How about the ladders/planks?

Thanx guys!

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Robert Good
It's Your Life-Make Fun Of It!
http://www.robertgoodpainting.com

premierpainter

Our ladder jacks have clips on them to secure our pics. I think that you are going to find that they sit in your back yard more than you use them. We have a lot of planks and use most of them on top of our vans so guys can walk on them, not the roof...an expensive board. Painters move too fast to get good use out of a plank, unless your doing multiple coats on dental molding across the front of a house. Scaffold is set up by sections. Put the lower section together and then the upper a piece at a time. Any time you use multiple sections outriggers on the lower wheels are needed to prevent tip over.

MakDeco

I use my set ups all season long, two ladders with a 24 plank and jacks on cedar siding set it up do the top section. work the bottom section from the ground and if you time it right back up to 2nd coat the top and then take it down. Works well with two guys tho. wouldn't try it by myself at 15ft + up in the air.

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MAK Deco

Workaholic

These are the kind we use. We have these on a 16 and on a 24. These come in really handy in stairways and on exteriors when the ground is far from level. Been using them for years.

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Sean

MakDeco

Don't think I have ever seen those how does it work?

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MAK Deco

Workaholic

Bolt them to the ladder over bottom rung, then push them down to the level you want them at, then to adjust the other way put the ladder on a sideways tilt and they have a lever that you put your foot on that enables it to slide the other way. Looking over what i just typed sound kooky but they are real basic. Have had them on roofs in stair ways ect never slipped. they have a big disc for a foot.
You know how the treads in stairways are often to short well the disc grabs the tread
They also make another model that has more of a cleat style disc, so if you used them for only outside that is another option. But like i said never had a problem with slipage.
The feet have a ball on them so they move to what ever position you need.

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Sean

trptman

I've set up, up to 7 sections of scaffolding by myself before. It's time consuming, but I generally work alone and it doesnt pay to have an extra guy sitting around in case I need to occasionally set up some scaffolding.
I get 2 long ropes, tie one end on the top of the top section you have set up and lean a section on the ground with the rope tied to the top of it. (do this on both sides at once) Then I climb up the existing tower, grab the rope and pull the section up and place it on the pegs. Hopefully I've remembered to get extra planking and cross bars up before this point so I can finish tying the section together.
repeat until you are high enough.
I hope you can kind of visualize that, it's kind of convuluted sounding.
Been doing it that way for years. I don't see how you could climb and carry one of those frames at the same time. As far as the cross bars and planks, You can alternate climbing and placing pieces higher within the tower.

As far as tying off, when I get to 3 sections tall I use the outriggers on the base and I've run ropes through double windows and tied them off inside, I've drilled lags with eye hooks into the house or building to tie off to, then removed them as I disassembled the tower on the way down.

Sometimes you have to be creative, but make sure you get the first section square and level. Buying those screw adjustable levelers to put under the first section is the best thing I did. As you add more weight with sections, check to make sure you arent sinking into soft ground unevenly. It would really suck to tip an assembled tower over especially if you were on it.'Hope this gives you some ideas. Main thing is to be safe when climbing that high. Take your time and make sure of your hand holds and footing when up there.

trptman

Now that I've gone back and read what I wrote, I was awfullly long winded.
The short of it is, you set the pieces on the ground, tie ropes to them and pull them up to you.
After each section is up, you need to go back down and place new pieces in position on the ground and tie them up, but I think you can figure it out from there.
The catch is, you need to have some good upper body strength to do this. You don't want to get too tired pulling the pieces up to you and not be able to manuever them into position when they get up to you. ( or worst case-drop something or let yourself be pulled off balance and fall) Also wear gloves, your hands will thank you after pullling on the rope a while.

GoodPainter

thanx t man,

I did just buy 4 sections of scaffolding 5x5

I will however have someone to setup and breakdown along with
me when I do any(unless it is one or two high)

I also got ladders in case noone is there to help at the moment
and ladder jacks and plank in the future also

Thanks for all the help, much appreciated
I am so busy its not funny, so hope to report my experiences soon!

__________________
Robert Good
It's Your Life-Make Fun Of It!
http://www.robertgoodpainting.com

Hock

Workaholic, What brand are your ladder stabalizers? I had a pair 10 years ago and cant find those exact oned any more. Where did you get them?

Thanks

Workaholic

Hey Hock, i got the most recent pair at a BM supplier here local. I know you have different paint store lines in the PNW so here is what they are.

600 ladder leveler with kraton foot

Ladder Accessories INC
pobox 336447 North Las Vegas NV
Phone # 702 643 3306
Fax# 702 643 8354
Welcome to the forum Hock. I love portland lived in Eugene for 20 years or so. Great part of the country that side is.

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Sean