Alternatives to Rented Scaffolding for Large Shade Structure

madmatt · Post by **madmatt** » Sun Jan 24, 2010 1:01 pm

Anyone have any brilliant suggestions for alternatives to rented scaffolding and 20x20 tarps for large scale scaffolding. It would have to cover our tent area and our bar + lounge.

We have been renting scaffolding the last couple of years and are investigating other options to see if anything is as easy, cheap, versatile, etc.

Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks!!!!!

Tiahaar · Post by **Tiahaar** » Sun Jan 24, 2010 9:07 pm

HA! Shade Structure needs: Easy, Cheap, Versitile...pick two. ('cause if its easy and versitile it ain't cheap etc...)

I vowed never to use a tarp bigger than 10x10' after the debacle of '07 with my 20x30'. This year I'm going to try a slip-together pipe-frame system using those pre-made joint connectors and 1-5/8 fence pipe sections, it seems to be pretty good.

Its going to be hard to beat the scaffold all around though.

The Chinese · Post by **The Chinese** » Sun Jan 24, 2010 10:05 pm

What we did was get a cargo parachute (about $100), and used Scaffolding. This worked much better than tarps.

We rented a 25' scafolding, the parachute was 70' in diameter.

Erect the scaffolding, then IMMEDIATELY Guy line it down on the 4 corners w Rebar & Ratchet straps.

Take the Chute up to the top and toss it over, spread it out. The Chute has tie points on it (Don't get the Guy lines included), so Set rebar & attached ropes to each point. Use a 2x4 to brace the edge, and use a Cinder blcok to anchor the 2x4.

Stayed up all week.

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 10:52 am

Bamboo is the word.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 3:06 pm

If you mean "invasive plant species that you will rue planting for the rest of your life", yes, it is.

EspressoDude · Post by **EspressoDude** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 3:19 pm

Ugly Dougly wrote:Bamboo is the word.

Awesome stuff that bamboo. I saw some of that rigged up the side of a building in Hong Kong, musta been 15 stories at least

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 4:29 pm

Hasn't taken root on the playa yet.

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 5:16 pm

Just to help with brainstorming, what about the rented scaffolding don't you like? The cost? The weight?

madmatt · Post by **madmatt** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 8:04 pm

Captain Goddammit wrote:Just to help with brainstorming, what about the rented scaffolding don't you like? The cost? The weight?

We're trying to simplify a little. Personally, I think we can't beat the low cost of rental. Don't want purchase something cause then we're tied down for years, plus who pays and who owns it? It's very very heavy so we have rent a huge truck. Used to get it delivered to the playa, but that company went out of business.

Trouble is, it *IS* cheap, strong, versatile, easy to put together, easy to hang stuff on etc. There's a reason why it's so universally used.

Thinking about stretching 40 x 20 foot tarps between the roofs of RVs to make shade for the tents, and repeating that several times. Maybe wrapping the tie-down ropes in cloth so they don't chafe the rented RVs to shit.

Any ideas?

ibdave · Post by **ibdave** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 8:36 pm

madmatt wrote: Maybe wrapping the tie-down ropes in cloth so they don't chafe the rented RVs to shit.

Any ideas?

Cheap swimming noodles. Just slide the rope though the hole in the noodle and tape where you need it to protect. worked for us, but our camp didn't have any super bad winds. just keep an eye on them for wear and tear bla bla blaaaa

rodiponer · Post by **rodiponer** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 11:47 pm

What about camo netting or shade cloth stretched between the RV's and poked up higher with a few big poles that have guy lines running to the RV's?

pinemom · Post by **pinemom** » Thu Jan 28, 2010 7:30 am

Have you ever been by Camp JUB JUB?

They had an awesome type set up in their private area....
maybe there are pics on the WWW of it....