[SML] Wiggle wood for a cannon?

[Richard Niederberg]

Dear Jon,
Has your prop storage room been restored to its former state before the
roof damage? Were most of the items stored there salvageable? Status Report
please!

/s/ Richard Niederberg
_________


On Mon, Feb 24, 2025 at 12:31 PM Jon Lagerquist via Stagecraft <
stagecraft at theatrical.net> wrote:

> Given the scale, big enough for a person to pass through, I do not think
> it would be to hard to make a skin of bendable ply, luan, or upson board
> work. You need to select a material that can bend the radius needed, an
> 1/8" thickness is where I would start.
>
> A well laid out frame with the locations of the skin seams considered is
> a key element. As Greg mentions the core is a major element, the person
> has to pass though it and if the audience can see into it the look sells
> the piece. And an inner skin will add stiffness before you put stress on
> it with the outer skin. This may be more challenging than the outer skin
> so you might need narrower strips. You most likely need cauls to pull
> the skin into the frame and hold it while glue sets.
>
> Plan on having a bit of room in each sheet for adjustments and test fit
> to make sure your joints line up. While you can make a gore curve just
> by placing the edges in the correct place a framing piece in the middle
> can be a big help. I have gotten the best surface by doing two layers
> with the seams staggered, which is where more framing comes into play.
> Because there is more stress on the fasteners than in a flat application
> situation having a doubled frame so each side has 3/4" to attach to is
> likely to be helpful. a bunch of ratchet straps can be helpful in
> pulling the pieces into place. These can also be beveled to the
> appropriate angle, and one side can be a much narrower piece sistered to
> the primary framing piece.
>
> Other options if seams are a concern is some moulding running the length
> of the barrel to mask seams or embrace the seams and put rivets along
> them to highlight them (I know that is not how one would really
> construct a cannon barrel but it is scenery).
>
> Jon
>
> On 2/24/2025 10:56 AM, Greg Bierly via Stagecraft wrote:
> > I have had a few experiences with wiggle-wood.  I think trying to get a
> > conical shape will be just  frustrating.  You would be better off making
> > the cylindrical interior and creating the conical shape with a scenic
> > exterior layer. (i.e. foam, paper mache, etc).  You probably are better
> > off tapering 5/4 boards lengthwise and mitering all of the edges but
> > that sounds like a lot of math and glue up.
> >
> > Greg
> >
> >> On Feb 24, 2025, at 1:15 PM, Joe via Stagecraft
> >> <stagecraft at theatrical.net> wrote:
> >>
> >> So, it looks like I will need to construct it from scratch.  I have
> >> never made anything using wiggle-wood (i.e. bendable ply) that had a
> >> conical shape.  Though, perhaps I could cut wedge-shaped pieces and
> >> form it that way. However, I know that getting the edges of the ply to
> >> lay flat can
> >
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> --
> Jon Lagerquist
> --
>
>
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