How to Build a Heavy Timber Scaffolding

Cut a plank to act as a sole plate to go under each heavy timber ladder. Planks should be slightly longer than the width of the ladder. Attach each ladder to a sole plate with the braces. The sole plate will prevent the ladder from sinking into the mud. If the ground is uneven, nail more than one plank on top of each other to build up the sole plating until all ladder rungs are the same height when placed in position next to the building. If needed, use wedges or additional planks to make sure the ladders ends up on solid footing. The key is to make sure the completed scaffold does not wobble and is safe to work on.

Lay the ladders on their sides on the ground. Space them in the position you want them to be when they are standing. Spacing between two ladders should be less than the length of the planks you plan to use to make a platform to walk on. The goal is to lay the planks on the rungs between two ladders and use those planks as a platform to work on.

Take two 2-by-4 timbers and lay out an X pattern on top of the ladders. Screw the 2-by-4 pieces into the ladders. The top of the X should be close to the top of the scaffold. The bottom of the X should reach close to the bottom of scaffold. Additional timbers may be attached lengthwise between each ladder to provide additional support. The timbers act as bracing. Turn the ladders over and repeat on the opposite side. The ends of the lumber do not have to be flush with the ladders but should be cut short enough that they are not in the way of workers.

Stand the ladders in place. If working on an unfinished building, you may be able to attach the scaffolding to the building supports for added security.

Lay planks into position across the rungs of at least two ladders to act as a work platform. Secure two planks perpendicular to the platform. One plank down low acts as a toe board to prevent a worker from walking off the plank accidentally, and another about waist level acts as a guard rail.