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Topic: Repurposing a old painters tool, the scaffold (Read 902 times) previous topic - next topic

Repurposing a old painters tool, the scaffold

The other day while looking for info that I was lacking at the time to import my '94 U280 coach into Canada I came across a downsized version of the old style scaffold at a very attractive price from Summit Tools in the Vancouver area of British Columbia. I thought that it would actually be a better platform for polishing the rig as it is more stable and you have more area to move on instead of moving the ladder every few feet. The real test I did today that proved it's worth was cleaning the front windshield. I'll let the photos speak for themselves and maybe others might find them locally in your area. These would be a more home based unit for maintenance but it also fits very nicely on the joey bed in the coach when knocked down. Cost in Canada on sale was about $145 so it was not unreasonable.

I'm waiting on my products from autogeek.com whom I've used with great success over the years on my show car. They carry a very good product for Boat and RVs that was developed in Florida for Salty Conditions. Yes, it is a little pricey but I'll keep you up to date when it comes in and how it applies to remedy the oxidation and quality of finish. They do have sales on Auto Geek from time to time which will include shipping also. They have a lot if info online and videos on how to apply as well.

James and Barbara did a great job on keeping the coach in decent shape and I'll try to further the effort on the exterior. My wife Pauline and I are very happy we bought it and can't wait till the first outing. It was funny the size comparison between a Freightliner and the U280 side by side. 

I'll keep you posted on the progress.

John Smith
John Smith
1994 U280 36' John, Pauline, & Marley Cat
2010 Ford Fusion

Re: Repurposing a old painters tool, the scaffold

Reply #1 –
Might have to check into that. I just bought an 8' aluminum step ladder, and it works well, but for larger jobs that might be the way to go.

Re: Repurposing a old painters tool, the scaffold

Reply #2 –
If I had a shop I'd do that in a heartbeat. Would make it a lot easier working on the exterior of the coach.

You got a great looking coach John. I'm kinda' partial to the Grand Villas... :)

see ya
ken
The selected media item is not currently available.ken & dori hathaway & Big Agnes
🍺1992 U300 GrandVilla WTBI #4150 FOT FBP 2011
✨6V-92TA DDEC Parlor Coach 350HP Series 92
🏁2011 Nissan XTerra Pro-4X

Re: Repurposing a old painters tool, the scaffold

Reply #3 –
I have a shop and I can add a +1 to the scaffolding idea. The scaffolding I use is what we've used while building the shop itself and can be extended to three 6' sections high. It also has rollers. This is more than what John is using (a version of which can also be bought at Harbor Freight... naturally) and it is clearly overkill but we have it so we use it.

Ours does have rollers but it's not as easy as the smaller versions. One advantage is that we can get easy access to the roof for installation of bigger items (storage boxes, solar panels, etc.).

These are very often available locally on craigslist. And you can also rent them.

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Repurposing a old painters tool, the scaffold

Reply #4 –
John,

The portable scaffold you have is the best tool I have seen yet for exterior maintenance purposes.  I wish I had had something like that years ago for obvious reasons, especially for getting to the hard to reach area of the sloped cab.  I'm also looking forward to seeing pictures of it once you use the cleaning products that you have ordered.  I can see her gleaming already!

James
James McBroom
1994 U280 36'

Re: Repurposing a old painters tool, the scaffold

Reply #5 –
Thanks guys for the positive replies. It is more to give ideas to others to make life a little bit easier as it is not new technology, as Craig so apply put it. It is a lot safer than overbalancing a ladder with a machine in hand, lighter (for those of us that feel the aging process), and it being somewhat portable if you have the space. I continue to look for new ways of doing things or in many cases finding old ways and just bringing them to light again to help our process of keeping our coaches in good shape. I will build a little add-on so that when I'm up there the products will be secure and at hand at the same time. Nothing worse than kicking your product off only to have to get down to fetch it or worse yet, spill it.
John Smith
1994 U280 36' John, Pauline, & Marley Cat
2010 Ford Fusion

Re: Repurposing a old painters tool, the scaffold

Reply #6 –
Those scaffolds are a great tool.  I have two of them, and they may be stacked if one needs the extra height.  I keep one scaffold in the pole barn where my coach normally lives.  Like you, I've found it extremely handy for washing and washing the coach.

Safety tip---I originally bought the scaffolds when I was hanging lights and running overhead wiring in my workshop.  There were times that I had the work platform at its' maximum height, and I felt unsafe working overhead hanging the lights and not having a safety rail.  I'm old enough that I no longer bounce well.  So, I bolted 2"X4" uprights to the scaffold's end pieces and then bolted  two more 2"X4" safety rails between the uprights to box me in.  It sure made me feel more secure, even though my old carpenter brother-in-law laughed at me.

Glen
Glen Kenney
Colmesneil, Tx
Former owner of
1997 40' U320
Build # 5099

Re: Repurposing a old painters tool, the scaffold

Reply #7 –
Standing and working on the top of even one section of scaffolding with nothing to hang on to would make most people feel unsafe. Taking a header from 72" up will make for a bad day. That's why the MFG's of most single section roll around scaffolds sell what they call a top guard rail kit for about $125 . Gam
joseph gambaro
1999 U295 36'

Re: Repurposing a old painters tool, the scaffold

Reply #8 –
Yes, you are quite right, and thanks for pointing it out, in the guard rail safety kit add on are worth while add on. I guess I had made too many jumps out of planes to notice but I too am too old to bounce well. Also, for the multiple stacking they have outrigger wheels for the same price as the railing kit which is a good option for the scaffolding as well. I'll make my own railing system to suit my needs.

John
John Smith
1994 U280 36' John, Pauline, & Marley Cat
2010 Ford Fusion

Re: Repurposing a old painters tool, the scaffold

Reply #9 –
I have one of those also and it is great for cleaning the coach and much safer than ladders
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Repurposing a old painters tool, the scaffold

Reply #10 –
I agree to everything about the scaffolding, and I add one more thing.  I attach a rope to one end of the garage and drape the rope over the scaffolding.  Then I pull myself, and the scaffolding, along instead of climbing up and down.  Especially great when working on the upper areas. 

LynnD
'01 GV

Re: Repurposing a old painters tool, the scaffold

Reply #11 –
I do much the same. Works great!
  Richard B.
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel