Turntable
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Set Design and Construction
Forum Discription: Post your questions or suggestions about designing or building a set here.
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2740
Printed Date: 11/24/24 at 12:33am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Turntable
Posted By: gcdavis
Subject: Turntable
Date Posted: 10/11/07 at 7:42pm
| First question: Does anyone know of a place to rent a large (30') stage turntable (in components, of course)? Second question: Or, does anyone know where we can secure plans for a large stage turntable? |
Replies:
Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 10/11/07 at 10:38pm
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Can't help on either questions of a revolve. Only an odd hint or two in making your own. It is not that difficult to produce. The biggest thing is to procure a central pivot. The last time I made one, I fosicked around in a car salvage yard. Managing to find a stub axile wheel hub. This became the central pivot for the revolve. Obtaining 8'x4' 5 ply wood boards, which governed the size of the revolves deck being 16'. However larger stardard boards are available as standard off the shelf stock. The hub was bolted on to a ply base board, which was scewed to the stage deck. The revolve was made up into 8 wedge segments, like a cut cheese cake. Knocking up a 3"x5"pine timber frame for each of the segments. Using 3 fixed castors for each segment, the type fitted with bearings, rather than just a cheap wheel rotating system. [check the side slop movement of the castor.] Usimg the wheel studs on the hub, made a steel plate to except ech segment. Fitted 2 castors on a nogging on the inside of the frames outer edge. With one on an inner nogging at the inner edge of the frames. giving each segment, one at the centre & two on the outside of the revolve. [with the outside two castors, a spacer block was used, the same thickness of the central pivot base board. Between the nogging & the castors. The single castors at the centre, were bolted directly to the noggings. {[this allowed for the hieght of the central pivot mounting board, the inner castors run on] The castors were fixed to run in the direction of the revolving line] The ply sheets were cut to fit each wedge shaped segment frame, with a 1" over lap on one side, to inter lock the segment plate boards into the next segment frame. I didn't bother with a plyth for the outer edge of the revolve, as it was set into a faulse stage around the revolve. Which was made in a similar fashion of using sheet size segments. I ran a cable around the circumference of the revolve wedges, to drive the revolve. The cable went thru pulleys on to wrap on a windless drum. with an improvised counterweighted coffee grinder style handle to wind it. It took 2 of us less than two days to produce & were able to cover it with masonite & paint it, also didn'tcostthatmuch. That was about 10 years a go in the bush & they have used it ever since. Hope this helps! [hope this will help?] ------------- 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} |
Posted By: MartyW
Date Posted: 10/12/07 at 9:29am
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agree with Joe on the basic design, big or small... The one item I have learned by trial and error in which I might differ. (and it may really say this but with gaffa, I often loose something in the translation) I have learned that it is a heck of a lot easier to balance and run a large turn table if the wheels/casters are inverted and attached to the floor. this requires a smooth plywood underside of the turntable as well, but it sure makes for smoother running. Just a thought ------------- Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.." |
Posted By: Nanette
Date Posted: 10/12/07 at 9:40am
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We built one for a recent show. My tech guys (translated to some handy dads) used part of an old desk chair for the pivot point (and it had bearings to help it turn smoothly!). I've also hit the plumbing aisle at the local hardware store to find things for the pivot. ------------- In a world of margarine, be butter! |
Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 10/12/07 at 12:19pm
Sorry Marty with my explanation.  I have seen what you suggested & it works well.  Thinking back to the 50's, if I remember correctly the inverted castors were used for the outer ring of a double revolve. Also I have seen the system used on Fair ground Roundabouts, which was obviously easier to set up on undulated ground. With what I suggested ofcourse the stage deck needs to be flush & an even surface.  I like Annettes inovative use of a swivel chair mechanism. Great idea as it is purely for a central pivot.as the weight of the revolve is taken up by the castors.
------------- 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} |