How to Build a Painter's Scaffold

Scaffolding provides a high level platform when work has to be done at an elevation and a ladder just won't be adequate. A painter's scaffold is set up when painting large expanses of high walls or a ceiling. Setting up this kind of scaffold has specific requirements for safety and stability, and must be done in a particular way. When done correctly, the scaffold gives an elevated work area safe and convenient to get the job done.

Scaffold frames
Locking pins
Bracing and bracing ties
Screw jacks and/or steel base plates
Wood plank base plates and mudsill
Level
Wood planking for deck
Wall brackets (optional)
Guard and end rails
2 by 4 by 96 inch lumber
Ladder

Instructions

- 1
  Lay out the first level section of the scaffold frame. Scaffold most often come in 6 or 10 foot sections that can be attached to from higher or wider runs.
- 2
  Set the wood base plates or mud sills in place. A mud sill is a longer plank spanning between two of the scaffolding feet to give more dispersion of weight in muddy conditions. Otherwise, small wood plank sections just a few inches longer than the steel base plates of the frame can be used.
- 3
  Place the steel base plates on the wood sections. Set screw jacks in place between the base plates and the framing if you have them. Screw jacks are tubular screw mechanisms that fit between the base plate and tubular framing of the scaffolding at the legs and allow it to be leveled or adjusted.
- 4
  Set the tubular frame pieces in place on the jacks or base plate connectors. Check the structure for level and adjust if necessary.
- 5
  Put the cross braces in place and lock into the frame posts on each section, and each side. They will look like a large X between the posts of the scaffold frame sections, on each side front and back. This keeps the framing stable.
- 6
  Run the planks for the decking in the scaffold sections.
- 7
  Raise the next level of frames if more than one staging level is being built. Make sure the connectors between the staging frames have locking pins that fit properly to secure the frames together.
- 8
  Secure the second level frames, add the braces, and lay the decking as before.
- 9
  Add wall braces and ties when the scaffold is being built higher than 16 feet. Approved wall bracings and ties can be purchased from the scaffold supplier, and need to be properly mounted to secure the scaffold to the building so it doesn't topple with the weight of equipment and workers.
- 10
  Build guard rails and end rails when the levels are set. The guardrails should be on any scaffolding taller than 10 feet. The guard rails can be a part of the scaffold system and the same tubing as the frame or made of 2 by 4 inch lumber sections attached with tie wire.
- 11
  Secure a ladder with adequate height to the scaffold for access. Workers should not climb the scaffold itself to get to higher levels.

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