Painter's cradles

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

We seem to be doing pretty well at getting some obscure scenery ideas going and adding possibilities… so here’s my next…

We’ve all seen the cradles painters and cleaners use to access the sides of tower blocks / skyscrapers. (Someone is just going to come in and say that they haven’t… what? not even in the movies)?

Anyway…

  • I’m wondering about the lowest buildings they appear on?
  • Anyone seen a model?
  • Anyone got pics /sources?
  • Does the pavement below have to be cordoned off?
  • Preiser do some good decorator figures that could be used

Have a nice day! [:D]

Just thought… you could probably use the Preiser figures as train cleaning crew… so long as you’re not modelling SP!

2

I assume you mean scaffolding? That’s a more commonly used term in the U.S.

Painters and window-cleaners use scaffolding even if they have to get up to only the second floor, if the job will involve enough work at that height. They last crew that painted my house used it, and we’ve only got two floors. For safety reasons, the area below should be blocked off, which is another opportunity for scenic detailing. Good idea.

Woodland Scenics makes a set of painters which includes scaffolding, or at least some boards and mountings for it. I’ve got the set, and I plan to use it on an Atlas chord bridge that is being re-painted.

Thanks to www.discounttrainsonline.com for providing the picture I linked to above.

3

Dave,

Is this the sort of platform you are looking for?

I have seen these used on buildings as short as 4 stories tall here in Texas. The ground below is always cordoned off when the workers are present. I don’t know if any models are available.

Don Z.

4

Mr Beasley

I meant the sort of thing DonZ illustrates… but scaffolding’s great too. You can go another step and have it being put up/taken down… the possibilities are endless[}:)]

Usually bridge painting (I’ve got that Atlas…good isn’t it)? is done when trains aren’t running.- for pretty obvious reasons - or at least a slow order would apply. I was planning to have at least ne bridge in the stages of a repaint… old/yeuky - shot blasted (there’s another subject) - primer - top coat.

Anyonje else got ideas / info /pics?

What about the machinery on the roof?

5

What would you use to make the poles for scaffolding, the clamps… and how would you fix it all together?

What’s the maximum height /no. of storeys for scaffolding?

6

Dave,

I’m not sure there’s a limit per se regarding how high scaffolding can be used. After all, the Statue of Liberty was surrounded with scaffolding a few years back during her renovation. From the ground to the top of the torch, the statue is 305 feet tall.

Don Z.

7

The August Walthers flyer shows one in use on a 2 or 3 story building, but they don’t mention if they actually have these things available, in the planning stages, or were just looking for something to add interest to the picture.