While not necessary for construction, scaffolding can be a useful tool when building larger steel structures. Scaffolding height, width and attachment needs will vary with the size of your building, but you need to be able to construct a work platform two feet below the height of the building. The parts you will need are:

• Sections or Bucks: Available in 5’, 3’, or 2’ increments. Ensure safety pins are provided for all connection points to prevent separation.
• Walk Boards: Typically 3 boards are required to span the width of the scaffolding for safety.
• X and Diagonal Bracing: X bracing attaches to each section of scaffolding to ensure the sections do not spread apart. Diagonal bracing is used between sections to stabilize the scaffolding.
• Casters: Wheels with a shaft inserted into each corner of the bottom section. Allows the unit to be movable. Be sure to get safety pins to attach them.
• Self-leveling Legs:Large metal plate (usually 6” x 6”) with a welded threaded shaft and a large butterfly nut. Normally used to raise or stabilize stationary scaffolding.

Once you have gathered all of your parts, assemble sections with walk boards about two feet below the height of the building. Invert the self-leveling legs into the four corners of the top section. This configuration will allow you to raise the arch panels to the finished height. There should be a hole in the metal plate for you to nail a 2 x 4 or 4 x 4 down the long span of the scaffolding. Allow about 8” on the leading edge (i.e., the section of scaffolding you will be pulling the pieces up from). This lumber edge creates a jack or outrigger for the arch panels to rest on.

Now that you have your scaffolding together, you are ready to assemble your building. Check back next week for tips on using the half-arch construction method.