Buying a (short) Scaffold Pole

[zcacogp]

Chaps,

I think this is probably a stupid question, but I need some scaffold pole. About 140cm of it. And some mounting plates to allow it to be attached between two walls (i.e. as a solid bar or rail). eBay throws up lots of people selling large quantities of scaffold poles (surprisingly cheaply) but not as short a length as I am looking for.

How could/should I go about buying such things? One immediate problem is that I don't have transport for a long scaffold pole - something much longer than about 170cm won't fit in my car.

Anyone any suggestions? I'm seriously considering walking around the local area until I find a scaffold lorry and asking the guys in it whether I can buy a short pole off them ... although I suspect they will either laugh or dismiss me as a nutter.


Oli.

[Rickyy]

How about a bit of steel pipe? Local scrap yards would probably have loads.

[Digger]

That's what I would do. Explain you're having difficulty obtaining one, and try and get to them early on as the scaffolding starts.

Or just ring up some local firms?

[TA14]

Digger said:

That's what I would do. Explain you're having difficulty obtaining one, and try and get to them early on as the scaffolding starts.

Or just ring up some local firms?

Or at the end of the job. Poles get cut shorter and shorter to fit specific applications for each job. They must weigh in lots of offcuts. Hopefully you can get your piece for scrap value.

[zcacogp]

TA14 said:

Or at the end of the job. Poles get cut shorter and shorter to fit specific applications for each job. They must weigh in lots of offcuts. Hopefully you can get your piece for scrap value.

Thanks - I didn't know that poles were cut, I assumed they came in defined lengths.

That's very helpful. (How do they cut them? Angle grinder?)


Oli.

[Stegel]

They won't scrap "offcuts" at 1400mm - that's slightly longer than putlogs (the short lengths of tube which extend through the depth of "standard" depth scaffold). I agree the best bet is to approach a scaffold gang and see if they'll let you have a suitable piece - you may need to take the nearest length available, although if you ask nicely they may chop it down with a disc cutter.

That all said, I can't think of any standard scaffold fittings which will be suitable for mounting between two walls - unless you plan on chasing out a mortar joint each side. I suggest you check out Key Clamp or similar fittings and tube.

Fittings here: http://www.themetalstore.co.uk/products/tube-clamp

Tube here: http://www.themetalstore.co.uk/products/galvanised...

[tex200]

If you happen to live or work near a theatre (entertainment not hospital!) pop in and ask - mostly backstage people are helpful and friendly.

Cutting to length is no problem if it's ally scaff - a hacksaw is all you will need.

[zcacogp]

Tex,

Thanks - it's for locking bicycles to, so I'd want something that was a bit more hacksaw-resistant.

Stegel said:

They won't scrap "offcuts" at 1400mm - that's slightly longer than putlogs (the short lengths of tube which extend through the depth of "standard" depth scaffold). I agree the best bet is to approach a scaffold gang and see if they'll let you have a suitable piece - you may need to take the nearest length available, although if you ask nicely they may chop it down with a disc cutter.

That all said, I can't think of any standard scaffold fittings which will be suitable for mounting between two walls - unless you plan on chasing out a mortar joint each side. I suggest you check out Key Clamp or similar fittings and tube.

Fittings here: http://www.themetalstore.co.uk/products/tube-clamp

Tube here: http://www.themetalstore.co.uk/products/galvanised...

Stegel, that's a very helpful post - thank you. What size is 'normal' scaffold pole? (Or is there no such a thing?)

The sort of thing I was thinking about for mounting would be Wall Plate 131 or Base Plate 132 from your first link. In which case, maybe I'd do better to buy the whole lot from them.

Thanks again.


Oli.

[Stegel]

Standard steel tube is the same dia as the larger size in the link - 40mm i/d.

If you are securing bikes to it, scaffold tube will certainly be the strongest part of the security - just make sure the chains, locking bars etc are equal to the task, and make sure the fixings for the baseplates are the biggest they will take.

[toasty]

Oli, YHM

[zcacogp]

Toasty,

Many thanks - both for thinking of me and taking the trouble to send a PM.

I'll reply!


Oli.

[Steve57]

depending on where you are i possibly have something suitable at the yard here, near the rotherhithe tunnel. E14.

[zcacogp]

Steve,

Thanks ... I'm in Bow - E3, very close by.

I'll PM you.


Oli.

[Steve57]

One being returned now.

[Hugo a Gogo]

if it's for locking bikes to, fill it full of concrete and stones before you fit it

[V8RX7]

zcacogp said:

I'm seriously considering walking around the local area until I find a scaffold lorry and asking the guys in it whether I can buy a short pole off them

^^^That would be the easy way.

It's not their stuff so they'll be happy to sell some.

I'd guess a fiver would buy it.