Set Design and Construction: building platforms on casters

building platforms on casters

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=2963
Printed Date: 11/24/24 at 4:22am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: building platforms on casters

Posted By: kmdded
Subject: building platforms on casters
Date Posted: 2/07/08 at 12:54pm

We are currently working on a comedic parody of Cinderella called Twinderella by Pioneer. I would like to have 2 platforms on casters , one for each side of the stage which would be kind of triangular where I could create 2 different house interiors (just one room per platform) which could then be pushed off stage during scenes where the houses are not needed. I have never built a platform before. Any help in dimensions that would work? I wanted to attach flats to two sides of this to create the walls of the room.

Any help>?

Replies:

Posted By: MartyW
Date Posted: 2/07/08 at 2:58pm

Normal platforms at our theater are 4x8 though they can be made to just about any specs you need. I tend to build sturdy, so we use 2x6's and at least 1/2 inch plywood. (hence the ease of the 4x8 measurement) We build a box out of 2x6, put in supports of same at approx 2ft intervals, screw the plywood on top and mount the wheels underneath.. Many variations out there, but this works for me.

-------------
Marty W

"Till next we trod the boards.."

Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 2/07/08 at 4:08pm

Adding to Marty W post.

With your OP & PS trucks get fixed wheel castors, in order to push on & pull off in a straight track.

Use a 'T" yoke piece to move the trucks, rather than it being just pushed on, this gives better & smooth control & the yoke also can act as a brake.

The yoke can be crudely built frome 1" x 4" timber or anything close to that. The top cross bar of the 'T' is hindged to the side plynth of the truck, so it can lay flat on the deck. The eddge of the attached T is set with the hindges close to the side castors, so when the yoke is flat on the deck, the edge jams against the wheal to holkd the truck as a brake. Also if a crew member stands on the end on the deck, it won't move any where. Paint it black or the same as the stage deck colour.

The ypke works well because when it is lifted, to oush or pull, it is at a comfortable working height & makes control easier.

With the castors don't go for elcheapo ones, that don't have a ball bearing on the wheels. Not the ones that just use a bolt & nut as a bearing for the wheel to rotate. Alsso hold the castor in the hand 7 see if there is any side slop movement, this will cause niose & audiable movement of the castor wheel under load.

-------------
[western] Gondawandaland
"Hear the light & see the sound!
TOI TOI CHOOKAS
{may you always play to a full house!}

Posted By: ty.gab
Date Posted: 2/07/08 at 4:24pm

Our basic platforms are constructed with the same dimensions and materials described by Marty.

We've bolted together up to about eight at one time and had it on casters. If you're able to store them, they should last you at least a few years. And, you can always just replace the plywood if the framing is still sturdy enough.