Scaffold tower middle brace - what part to connect?

[DanH]

A couple of years ago I brought a hefty scaffold tower locally that was in good nick, that I painted and used once. Being that each section is 3 metres long, the tower footprint was a hefty 3 metres square. It came with no middle braces (or whatever the terminology is) which meant that I used 3.9 metre planks to span the tower, doubled up so as not to sag with my (thankfully) light weight on it. I'm looking to use it again but would rather use it properly this time, with a middle brace or two!

I *think* I am looking for a 3m meter length of scaffold tube and whatever connectors to attach it to opposing sections. From a very quick look round, the connectors seem to be slide on ones that can't work on my sections, I think I need some two part T connector that clamps the pipework. The tower is not branded so I can't ask the manufacturer. The outside diameter of the pipework using a micrometer is showing as 51.5 mm so I'm guessing it is actually 48.3mm or a standard size but with my paintwork adding extra!

Any ideas as to what I need to create a central support please?

Thanks

Dan

 

[Burnerman]

My tower had this sort of thing but the ends weren't split, just tubed.
You'll need accurate measuring though!

Boss Tower Diagonal Brace - Blue - Ladders & Access

BOSS TWR. DIAG BRACE 2.1M Blue

www.laddersandaccess.co.uk

John

 

[DanH]

My tower had this sort of thing but the ends weren't split, just tubed.
You'll need accurate measuring though!

Boss Tower Diagonal Brace - Blue - Ladders & Access

BOSS TWR. DIAG BRACE 2.1M Blue

www.laddersandaccess.co.uk

John

Thanks John, that kind of thing makes more sense!

 

[DanH]

I measured the sections I have and they are actually 2.8meters long. I can't find any horizontal brace that fits that size, they're all 2.7m which appears to be a standard size. My tower actually came with diagonal support braces but they don't solve the problem of supporting the planks at safe intervals. Is there a way of, say, getting scaffold tubing cut to length and then attaching those open/slit ends? Or are they only available as welded single piece items? Not sure what this tower would have used originally to support planks safely....

 

[SpecialK]

Are you sure it is meant to use planks and not pre made deck sections?

 

[scbk]

Post some pics?

 

[DanH]

Are you sure it is meant to use planks and not pre made deck sections?

Maybe it did use pre-made deck sections but I can't see a way of knowing. It might explain the odd sizing!

Post some pics?

I have to erect it over the next few days so will get a picture of it.

 

[scbk]

You can get scaffolding staging in lengths up to 6m, that would do as a deck, but it's pricey! It's basically a ladder with plywood on top

Industrial Staging Boards, Class 1 Heavy Duty - 600mm Wide like Youngman board | eBay

We are here to help with all your access needs no matter how low. When taking chimneys down from inside the loft roof area you may want to protect the ceiling below, these are also great for that. Call us for a more bespoke approach to your needs.

www.ebay.co.uk

3m Aluminium Staging Board | 450mm or 600mm Wide

Buy 3m staging boards with a 450mm or 600mm width. They are the ideal lightweight solution for creating a safe working platform

www.scaffoldboardsonline.co.uk

If you're lucky you might get it 2nd hand

 

[DanH]

You can get scaffolding staging in lengths up to 6m, that would do as a deck, but it's pricey! It's basically a ladder with plywood on top

3m Aluminium Staging Board | 450mm or 600mm Wide

Buy 3m staging boards with a 450mm or 600mm width. They are the ideal lightweight solution for creating a safe working platform

www.scaffoldboardsonline.co.uk

If you're lucky you might get it 2nd hand

Thanks, yep, one of those is more than I paid for it...may have to think a bit laterally for cheaper options. I could flog it and get something more standard, just seems a shame not to be able to use it as intended without spending a lot of money.

 

[SpecialK]

Plank back to front in the middle then the others left to right but shimmed up by one plank? Or screw some plywood strips to the bottom of the planks to reinforce them? Even something fixed between and a ratchet strap may work if its just a little more support required?

 

[mac42]

Thanks John, that kind of thing makes more sense!

The Boss thing is a brace, not a transom and it won't support anything much because it's aluminium, and designed to keep elements a certain distance apart rather than take any transverse weight. I'm sure you all knew that but I thought I should just point it out.

The key thing here, is that the OP has managed to survive spanning the full 3m with board (rather him than me). So even a single transom will significantly lower any risk. It's suggested transoms are at no more than 1.2 meter intervals for light use, closer if they're carrying any weight, which means to do things properly would require at least two. 3m is close to the limit for scaffold bays, so I'm wondering if you're supposed to use staging boards with this tower, they give a bit more rigidity than standard tubes would over 3m (although they will still bounce about some).

In terms of the components used you want tube, obviously then you want clamps, and because you're only adding a transom you can make do with these:

Forged Single Coupler Scaffolding Fittings

Forged Single Coupler - Strongforge brand scaffold fittings are made to European Quality Standard EN74B.

www.scaffolding-direct.co.uk

In fact you need six of these for each level (and three stage tubes), because you may find by coupling front to back these new tubes are the wrong height for the left and right-hand tubes on the tower, you could maybe bend the board down at the ends, but that's a bit of a mug's game.

The biggest problem with any of this stuff though (for the DIYer), is the delivery costs. It's great fun until you find it'll cost you the price of your scaff. tower to actually get those tubes, so try to figure out if you can pick them up from somewhere.

It may even be worth purchasing the other clamp type, you know these ones:

Scaffolding Fittings - Forged Double Couplers

Scaffolding fittings by Strongforge - Double Coupler. All made to European Quality Standard EN74B.

www.scaffolding-direct.co.uk

Just so you can fix them securely to your roof rack.

 

[DanH]

The Boss thing is a brace, not a transom and it won't support anything much because it's aluminium, and designed to keep elements a certain distance apart rather than take any transverse weight. I'm sure you all knew that but I thought I should just point it out.

The key thing here, is that the OP has managed to survive spanning the full 3m with board (rather him than me). So even a single transom will significantly lower any risk. It's suggested transoms are at no more than 1.2 meter intervals for light use, closer if they're carrying any weight, which means to do things properly would require at least two. 3m is close to the limit for scaffold bays, so I'm wondering if you're supposed to use staging boards with this tower, they give a bit more rigidity than standard tubes would over 3m (although they will still bounce about some).

In terms of the components used you want tube, obviously then you want clamps, and because you're only adding a transom you can make do with these:

Forged Single Coupler Scaffolding Fittings

Forged Single Coupler - Strongforge brand scaffold fittings are made to European Quality Standard EN74B.

www.scaffolding-direct.co.uk

In fact you need six of these for each level (and three stage tubes), because you may find by coupling front to back these new tubes are the wrong height for the left and right-hand tubes on the tower, you could maybe bend the board down at the ends, but that's a bit of a mug's game.

The biggest problem with any of this stuff though (for the DIYer), is the delivery costs. It's great fun until you find it'll cost you the price of your scaff. tower to actually get those tubes, so try to figure out if you can pick them up from somewhere.

It may even be worth purchasing the other clamp type, you know these ones:

Scaffolding Fittings - Forged Double Couplers

Scaffolding fittings by Strongforge - Double Coupler. All made to European Quality Standard EN74B.

www.scaffolding-direct.co.uk

Just so you can fix them securely to your roof rack.

Thanks Shagster, that's more the clamp I was thinking of and thanks for giving me the correct 'transom' terminology. Anything is more stable than what I've got and would allow me to use the planks I've been doubling up with, so I'll see if I can pick up three tubes locally long with the clamps. These are the sections I'm dealing with:

and it came with what I believe are diagonal braces (but not used yet) with a bit of surface rust, as can be seen here behind the planks:

 

[lostinthelight]

Someone mentioned it earlier but if I need to span between two frames I use a ladder with a scaffold board on top as seen over the porch

 

[DanH]

Someone mentioned it earlier but if I need to span between two frames I use a ladder with a scaffold board on top as seen over the porchView attachment 353707

Good idea. It's why I got this mega scaffold as it allowed me to create two towers to span a porch although I didn't use a ladder!