Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: blocks

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Lyz
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Topic: blocks
Posted: 10/09/04 at 6:44pm

I'm in a very independent low-budget production, and we thought it would be easy to build 5 cubes as the set pieces and move them around into different positions. As easy as it sounds to nail 6 pieces of wood together to make a cube, we're not sure how to make it sturdy enough for people to safely stand on, or even sit. We have limited ability to buy set pieces, as everything we do has to be fireproofed and we don't really have time to go through this process before the show. Can anyone explain how to reinforce the wood from the inside so that the cubes are strong enough? I think they would be about 2'x2'x2'... Thanks!

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Anita
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Joined: 10/10/04
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Posted: 10/10/04 at 1:44am

I would suggest making an X that fits inside the middle of each cube. You'd have to cut grooves in each piece of the X mid-way so they'd slide into each other, then screw all four ends into the cube's frame. Think of one of those simple magazine racks that junior high kids make in wood shop class.

Hope that at least gives you an idea.

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Gaafa
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Joined: 3/21/04
Location: Australia
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Posts: 1181

Posted: 10/10/04 at 1:04pm

Assuming your using Ply for the 6 pieces, of each cube, ensure it is at least 5 ply when it used. Your best shot is to use MDF[medium dense fibber] Board, you can get fireproof MDF. However it would be better to screw a pine or softwood frame to the inside to be able to secure each of the pieces. Use glue & tek screws, not nails!

I think you would be better to gain the services of a Chipy or someone that does DYI to help you out, If you don?t use a frame to screw the piece on to, remember the board may split or brake away with use, especially from someone standing on it, it will bow & split apart even if cross pieces are used for support. Also predrill with a pilot before you screw it, & also it is not the amount of glue you put in the joints - but the amount you squeeze out that counts!

Chookas

Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

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NickH.
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Joined: 10/05/04
Location: United States
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Posted: 10/10/04 at 6:01pm

Why do set pieces have to be fireproof? I thought only fabric needs to be fireproofed. Anyway, painting wood and fabric with anything but an oil base paint is fireproofing enough. For construction of cubes, 3/4" plywood may be your answer. You may not need six sides for a cube. The bottom can be open. 3/4" plywood is very strong. For a 2x2x2 cube you need no reinforcement. But you need a good glueing-screwing surface. A 3/4" thick strip of pine along each joint would be adequate. Be aware that a sheet of plywood will yield eight 2x2-foot pieces. Your five cubes, even without bottom, will require a total of 25 pieces. A sheet of 3/4-inch plywood goes for a small fortune today as most plywood is being shipped to Florida. I haven't checked prices recently but I bet you the cheapest 3/4" plywood goes for at least $30.

If all the world is a stage, what am I doing in the wings?

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Gaafa
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Joined: 3/21/04
Location: Australia
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Posts: 1181

Posted: 10/12/04 at 2:50am

While your logically correct & right about fireproofing!

In most locations, it all boils down to the Fire Authorities local requirements. Here it is also dependent upon compliance of the venues Safety Committee?s house rules & policy, which differ greatly from place to place.

In fact we have a country theatre here, who?s safety committee, dictated that only a certain brand loo paper, scented in a pink pastel colour, could be used in the female toilets! Of course the whole of the Safety Committee, was of the fairer gender & their decision is automatically backed by the Health & Safety Act.

As for the cubes not having base plates & just being screwed & glued together without framing, thus relying on the plywood thickness, I feel because of the nature of them & them being used in different configurations, this would be a problem if they are not set the correct way up, which could add further structural stress, allowing the sides to splay or part, with excessive weight of performers standing or jumping on them. Therefore their strength would only be reliant on the screw in the edge of the ply holding & not breaking away the ply.

Chookas

Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

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Author	Message
Lyz Guest	Topic: blocks Posted: 10/09/04 at 6:44pm
	I'm in a very independent low-budget production, and we thought it would be easy to build 5 cubes as the set pieces and move them around into different positions. As easy as it sounds to nail 6 pieces of wood together to make a cube, we're not sure how to make it sturdy enough for people to safely stand on, or even sit. We have limited ability to buy set pieces, as everything we do has to be fireproofed and we don't really have time to go through this process before the show. Can anyone explain how to reinforce the wood from the inside so that the cubes are strong enough? I think they would be about 2'x2'x2'... Thanks!

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Anita Walk-On Joined: 10/10/04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 10/10/04 at 1:44am
	I would suggest making an X that fits inside the middle of each cube. You'd have to cut grooves in each piece of the X mid-way so they'd slide into each other, then screw all four ends into the cube's frame. Think of one of those simple magazine racks that junior high kids make in wood shop class. Hope that at least gives you an idea.
	IP Logged

Gaafa Celebrity Joined: 3/21/04 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 1181	Posted: 10/10/04 at 1:04pm
	Assuming your using Ply for the 6 pieces, of each cube, ensure it is at least 5 ply when it used. Your best shot is to use MDF[medium dense fibber] Board, you can get fireproof MDF. However it would be better to screw a pine or softwood frame to the inside to be able to secure each of the pieces. Use glue & tek screws, not nails! I think you would be better to gain the services of a Chipy or someone that does DYI to help you out, If you don?t use a frame to screw the piece on to, remember the board may split or brake away with use, especially from someone standing on it, it will bow & split apart even if cross pieces are used for support. Also predrill with a pilot before you screw it, & also it is not the amount of glue you put in the joints - but the amount you squeeze out that counts! Chookas
	Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house}
	IP Logged

NickH. Player Joined: 10/05/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 10/10/04 at 6:01pm
	Why do set pieces have to be fireproof? I thought only fabric needs to be fireproofed. Anyway, painting wood and fabric with anything but an oil base paint is fireproofing enough. For construction of cubes, 3/4" plywood may be your answer. You may not need six sides for a cube. The bottom can be open. 3/4" plywood is very strong. For a 2x2x2 cube you need no reinforcement. But you need a good glueing-screwing surface. A 3/4" thick strip of pine along each joint would be adequate. Be aware that a sheet of plywood will yield eight 2x2-foot pieces. Your five cubes, even without bottom, will require a total of 25 pieces. A sheet of 3/4-inch plywood goes for a small fortune today as most plywood is being shipped to Florida. I haven't checked prices recently but I bet you the cheapest 3/4" plywood goes for at least $30.
	If all the world is a stage, what am I doing in the wings?
	IP Logged

Gaafa Celebrity Joined: 3/21/04 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 1181	Posted: 10/12/04 at 2:50am
	While your logically correct & right about fireproofing! In most locations, it all boils down to the Fire Authorities local requirements. Here it is also dependent upon compliance of the venues Safety Committee?s house rules & policy, which differ greatly from place to place. In fact we have a country theatre here, who?s safety committee, dictated that only a certain brand loo paper, scented in a pink pastel colour, could be used in the female toilets! Of course the whole of the Safety Committee, was of the fairer gender & their decision is automatically backed by the Health & Safety Act. As for the cubes not having base plates & just being screwed & glued together without framing, thus relying on the plywood thickness, I feel because of the nature of them & them being used in different configurations, this would be a problem if they are not set the correct way up, which could add further structural stress, allowing the sides to splay or part, with excessive weight of performers standing or jumping on them. Therefore their strength would only be reliant on the screw in the edge of the ply holding & not breaking away the ply. Chookas
	Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house}
	IP Logged

Topic: blocks( Topic Closed)