[SML] Platforming to go on the road

[Richard Niederberg]

Dear Paul,
Watch out for torsion forces - make sure that an actor on the upper deck
does not move in a way that causes a twisting of that deck
[action/reaction] in relation to the lower deck. Have you considered 4"
steel tubing, steel corner, top, and bottom (caster) plates, and large
diameter hardened bolts, nuts and star washers? If you didn't have to break
down your 8' cube, I'd assemble it using a certified welder.
/s/ Richard
_________

On Wed, Feb 8, 2017 at 1:00 PM, Paul Anderson via Stagecraft <
stagecraft at theatrical.net> wrote:

> 2- 4 x 8 and 2-4 x 6 platforms so 8 feet by 14 feet.
>
> One 4x8 gets a trap door of about 2' x 2'.
>
> Not sure if I can attach jpgs or not or I could show you what I'm up
> against.
>
> Thanks everyone for responses.  Still pondering options.
>
> Paul
>
> On Wed, Feb 8, 2017 at 11:24 AM, dale <dale at cybercom.net> wrote:
>
>> How large is the upper platform? Is it free standing or is there another
>> set piece attached to it?
>>
>> The thought I had is you build the upper platform with sockets where you
>> slide in appropriately long pieces of schedule 40 inch and a half pipes as
>> the legs.
>>
>> The bottoms of the pipes are screwed into flanges which are firmly
>> attached to a low platform with the same footprint as the upper.     Some X
>> bracing or a more solid wall unit bolts into the back face and one of the
>> side faces to provide stability.
>>
>> I haven't worked out the math to be sure, but pipes on the four corners
>> should hold weight of platform plus one actor.  If the actor is dancing or
>> there are more than one of them, then add more vertical pipes.
>> Assembly and disassembly would want some kind of lift to tip the thing
>> upright.  And whatever the tipping axis is should have additional X bracing
>> to resist the twisting and racking of the tipping up.
>>
>> For extra points, design into the underside of the upper platform storage
>> pockets for the pipe and X braces.  The bottom sheet can strap to the upper
>> platform to make a nice truck friendly unit.  Add a couple of casters to
>> make it easier to roll onto the truck.  Probably on the skinny edge so it
>> can just roll on and get strapped to the wall of the truck.
>>
>> Dale
>>
>>
>> Sent from my Verizon 4G LTE smartphone
>>
>>
>> -------- Original message --------
>> From: Paul Anderson via Stagecraft <stagecraft at theatrical.net>
>> Date: 2/8/17 09:38 (GMT-05:00)
>> To: Stagecraft Mailing list <stagecraft at theatrical.net>
>> Cc: Paul Anderson <panderson at hope.edu>
>> Subject: [SML] Platforming to go on the road
>>
>> I work for a small 4 year college and basically build scenery that sits
>> on the stage till strike.  The only shows I've built for packing in a truck
>> were already designed with that in mind.
>>
>> Our current production is being entered for ACTF participation and is
>> being designed by what are basically not designers.  So far they have a
>> platform setup that is 8 feet in the air.  The thought of raising heavy
>> platforms that high scares me.
>>
>> Not having done this I'm not sure what my options are.  One thought I
>> suppose is that there could be some sort of legging system put on each
>> platform while upside down, then roll those assemblies upright one at a
>> time and tie together.  Some sort of folding gate legs and simple plywood
>> tops instead of framed platforms is something I've also seen done.
>>
>> There is some masking underneath which could be load bearing.  But one
>> corner is to be black scrim with some action to be revealed under the
>> platform.  And one platform has to have a trap to get into this underneath
>> playing area.
>>
>> Any suggestions welcome.
>>
>> --
>> Paul Anderson
>> Technical Director for Theater
>> Hope College
>> Holland, MI
>> 616-395-7104 <(616)%20395-7104>
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Paul Anderson
> Technical Director for Theater
> Hope College
> Holland, MI
> 616-395-7104 <(616)%20395-7104>
>
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-- 
/s/ Richard
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