PLATFORM FOR EAVES ACCESS

[RFGuy]

In Steve's defense, he is creating like a cantilever with this platform. Assuming good anchoring into the deck boards, those dowels are merely additional load support outbound to the platform. The cantilever isn't quite beefy enough so it would definitely sag under load without some outbound support. No one wants to see him get hurt and some suggestions have been offered. I hope he receives these with our benevolent intent. Despite its looks to all of us, I expect it is quite a bit sturdier in actuality provided he has good anchoring on the front of that platform. Of course, I worry about one of the dowel supports giving way if everything isn't lined up perfect, or the mischievous neighborhood kid that decides to come by and play a "prank" in knocking one of them out...

[SteveMaryland]

Thanks, RF Guy. This platform design has actually worked well for me and I will continue to use it. I knew the wood dowel-legs were the weak link but they have indeed proved to be "quite a bit sturdier in actuality" for the reasons you stated.

As long as the dowel-ends cannot rotate, they work acceptably well as columns (under 48"). I observed no bending in the dowels under full load.

The one thing I would change is to use steel pipe or tube. Plus a stretcher between the legs. I would still use the vise-grips - they have never let me down, and they are very convenient for this application. We need full range adjustability on the leg lengths.

Eave access is one of those frustrating situations where an extension ladder is too long and an A-frame is too short. Stairwells also. Without a standing platform, getting up to these places with tools, buckets etc. is nearly impossible. Having a flat and stable work platform such as this one allows me to fully maintain my exterior surfaces with ease - and having a Shopsmith allows me to build the custom platforms I need.

[rlkeeney]

With my experience using many dowels, you could not pay me to stand on that.

[SteveMaryland]

By popular demand, we have replaced the wood dowel column-legs with steel tube legs.

PLATFORM , NOW WITH STEEL COLUMNS AND LONGER FEET.JPG (92.07 KiB) Viewed 5065 times

First looked at using Schedule 40 steel plumbing pipe but chose tube because I wanted the .750 OD of the original dowel - to avoid having to re-drill the platform.

Bought the steel tubing from Metals Supermarkets. Be carful in ordering - they have numerous combinations of alloy and wall thickness; some combinations are cheap and readily available, and others are "special order" and/or expensive - inquire before purchase. For my application, any mild steel would be OK. So I ordered the cheapest "cold rolled round tube, 1026 DOM," size .750" OD X .120" wall.

STEEL TUBING DOM.JPG (112.87 KiB) Viewed 5065 times

Should have called them first. What I got was not .750" OD but rather .850" OD. I thought that if a tubing product was "DOM" then the OD would be accurate, but apparently I was mistaken. Maybe another ($$) grade is more accurate. Anyway, had to re-drill the platform to 7/8" DIA to accommodate. I should not have assumed.

Made a few additional beef-ups on the platform and now it is really rigid. Also increased the length of the wooden-post feet, which shortens the effective length of the tube-columns. The vise-grips hold the steel tube well.

Sooner or later the bare tubes will rust but if I paint them, the vise-grips would just tear up the paint. Would like to find a non-paint finish - something easier than gun-bluing or phosphate.

[GetterDone]

By popular demand, we have replaced the wood dowel column-legs with steel tube legs.

PLATFORM , NOW WITH STEEL COLUMNS AND LONGER FEET.JPG

First looked at using Schedule 40 steel plumbing pipe but chose tube because I wanted the .750 OD of the original dowel - to avoid having to re-drill the platform.

Bought the steel tubing from Metals Supermarkets. Be carful in ordering - they have numerous combinations of alloy and wall thickness; some combinations are cheap and readily available, and others are "special order" and/or expensive - inquire before purchase. For my application, any mild steel would be OK. So I ordered the cheapest "cold rolled round tube, 1026 DOM," size .750" OD X .120" wall.

STEEL TUBING DOM.JPG

Should have called them first. What I got was not .750" OD but rather .850" OD. I thought that if a tubing product was "DOM" then the OD would be accurate, but apparently I was mistaken. Maybe another ($$) grade is more accurate. Anyway, had to re-drill the platform to 7/8" DIA to accommodate. I should not have assumed.

Made a few additional beef-ups on the platform and now it is really rigid. Also increased the length of the wooden-post feet, which shortens the effective length of the tube-columns. The vise-grips hold the steel tube well.

Sooner or later the bare tubes will rust but if I paint them, the vise-grips would just tear up the paint. Would like to find a non-paint finish - something easier than gun-bluing or phosphate.

I am a big Fan of your Project and Even more I Really like DOM Tube.

[JPG]

My metal supplier(Metals Depot) specifies OD x WALL x ID x LENGTH


They be about 1/2 the local metals market prices.