A work in progress.

I built this walkway about 3 years ago, but never got around to tacking in joists under the ends of the mesh, or a mechanism to clamp it in place. I built a mezzanine at either end of the shed, the walkway runs between the two, and slides side to side. It can act as a gantry at times, in desperation.

Quite why I didn't weld in the end cross members under the mesh I don't recall, but I think I was pondering how best to add a clamping mechanism, and was thinking about a clamp to push longitudinally against the vertical face of the mezzanine members, or clamping under the member, and the exact proximity of the last walkway cross members was potentially at issue. I think I was thinking to fix the clamp(s) to the cross members, then tack up the assembly. The plan was to then lift the whole walkway down, using the to be installed (aka still to be installed) gantry, and final weld it. Assorted issues have meant no shed time for the last couple of years. Anyhoo.

The lack of cross member at either end, made walking across that bit more interesting.


Cut a couple of lengths of 65x35x3mm saved for the purpose - leftover girts from my shed build, and tacked em up. What joy.

intermezzanine_walkway_1.jpg


I have yet to bend some bits of bar, to bolt down the mesh which is currently still just sitting in place.

The whole walkway is on castors, one can be seen in the first pic, and can be easily slid from one side of the shed to the other, while standing on the ground. So there is a slight tendency to move a bit when walking across. I had intended to use toggle clamps, either mounted on a bracket on the side, or it seemed simpler, from underneath.

Problem is the toggle clamps I have, don't have enough (i.e. any) reach below their mounting surface to effect enough pressure. They are not meant to of course, they expect to be clamping down on something higher than their mounting surface.

I have some Destaco, AMF and Bessey toggle clamps, and tried all three. Clamped in place to test, produced friction at best.

intermezzanine_walkway_3.jpg

This marginal lack of engagement evaporated with the intention to bolt the clamps to mounting plates, and then bolt the plates to the underside of the walkway. Maybe I should have gone with the side mounted approach. The first photo makes it look like there should be enough loading, but the second shows the real lay of the land.


intermezzanine_walkway_4.jpg


intermezzanine_walkway_5.jpg


So I resorted to a couple of Kreg clamps. Horribly made things they are - sloppy from brand new, about 30mm side to side on the longer pair I have, and not straight along the central axis either - chineese crap. So bad I emailed to Kreg at the time to complain. They were extremely good about it, and sent me alternates as I recall as compensation. The newer cast style seem much better, not that I have bought any.

Anyhow they work well enough in this application, for now, and provide a convenient handle of sorts.

intermezzanine_walkway_5.jpg

intermezzanine_walkway_7.jpg

The walkway can now be secured. Next will be to fix down the mesh, and fabricate handrails either side.