Thread: Homemade trestles

I use aluminum scaffolding these days, they are over a grand but they last a long time.
But back in the early 80s when scaffolds were even more expensive, I made some trestles that I used to paint my house as well another one that belonged to my in laws.
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They can be made out of 100 x 50 pine. Each trestle consists of a vertical member which leans against the wall and the member is propped up by a slanting member with a tie at the bottom. the prop must join to the vertical member at a location higher than the support for the plank, and in the picture the joint is where the guard rail support is. The prop must reach the ground at a distance at least 1.5 times the length of the arm for the plank. The diagram doesn't show any restraint against side to side movement along the wall because once the trestle is loaded, the friction against the wall will stop any side to side movement. However, for ease of mind, I would suggest either fasten the vertical member to the wall if possible but that would result in small holes that you'll need to fill, Alternatively, nail/screw two horizontal strips on the wall for the vertical members to be fastened to. If that is not possible, then extra props to prevent side to side movement can be erected.

The plank can also be built with 100 x 50 edged glued and screwed together with stiffening at the edges as shown. At 800 interval, 100 x 50 bearers are located underneath the plank to tie the edge stiffening together as well as providing extra support.

2.4 m above ground seems high and you will require 150 x 50 for example which would result in extra weight and cost. I reckon I'll be more comfortable with a platform height of 2 m with the structure itself nearly 3 m high already and the the sloping support close to 3.6 m which will require 2 off 100 x 50s for each prop.

Well I should have noticed that a single post new user posted on a 7 year old thread, probably a paid advertising disguised as a post.