About Scaffolding

There are many styles of scaffolding. The most rigid are made by Up Right for temporary antenna towers, but the top is small, 4' by 6'. They are unfortunately all one folding section and difficult to erect on top of each other without the correct devices. Two sections of these can be connected together and tilted up together for a very stable 12' high shooting platform. DO ERECT A SAFETY RAIL.

With all types of scaffolding, starting level is important. Putting 1 foot by 1 foot pads on sand or soft ground is better than on a large piece of plywood that will rock if the ground is not perfectly level. Screw leveling pads help. Casters should be used only on hard surfaces.

Regular scaffolding can be made more rigid by adding extra diagonal bracing that pulls one section tighter against the existing bracing. Tensioned rope or pipe will do.

The standard top safety rails are only for safety and are not rigid enough for rigging. You can add to an existing railing or build your own. Splicing pipe onto the risers will be very strong if the right type of connectors are used. Chain pliers, hose clamps, Kant Twist clamps and ladder chain with bolts will work. Three way crosses will work for railing corners, but are hard to align pipe into. Individual crosses are easier to use. The Kee Klamp #45 cross is easier to align than the longer Speed Rail #10 or #30A crosses.

DO NOT BUILD SCAFFOLD TYPE STRUCTURES FROM SPEED RAIL AND KEE KLAMP FITTINGS, THEY ARE NOT DESIGNED FOR THIS AND WILL FAIL IF STRESSED BEYOND THEIR LIMIT. Top railings can be made with Speed Rail and Kee Klamps if care is used.

When building a deck, two thicknesses of 3/4 or one piece of 1" plywood is stronger. Planks flat or 2" x 4" on edge can help support the tripod legs. USE CARE WITH HEAVY MATERIALS UP HIGH. A single sheet of 3/4 ply will bend under the weight of the camera crew and move the tripod legs.

© Copyright 1999-2004 Ron Dexter. All Rights Reserved.