Set Design and Construction: Help please.

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Help please.

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=3774
Printed Date: 11/24/24 at 2:42pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Help please.

Posted By: Perry
Subject: Help please.
Date Posted: 1/27/09 at 7:32pm

I'm in high school tech theatre im 17 and i need help with the construction on a revolving door that has no supporting walls and that you cant screw in to the floor. My teacher has recently gone to Nebraska University to do something with plays and they had one of these types of doors in one of there sets. If you have any idea what im talking about or if you want me to explain it in further detail let me know. but if your fimilliar with this design or have a idea of how it can work your help would be appreciated.

Devin

Replies:

Posted By: Coconut
Date Posted: 1/27/09 at 8:10pm

Do you mean a revolving door like department stores and office buildings have? If so, you can make a reasonable mock-up out of 2x4's and possibly plastic sheeting for the glass panels.

I very successfully make revolving pieces with short lengths of pipe and pipe flanges. A 2" length of 2" pipe (called a close nipple at the plumbing store) screwed to a flange which is bolted to a platform (to save your floor) and a similar piece of 1-1/2" pipe and flange in the center of your door unit. If needed, the doors could have small wheels or castors on their outboard ends so they spin evenly.

Hope this makes sense/helps. Good luck.

Let me add to that: The 2" pipe and flange are bolted down to the platform (pipe sticking up) making a sort of cup, and the 1-1/2" pipe and flange are bolted up to the revolving structure, whatever it is, with the pipe pointing down. The revolving piece with the 1-1/2" pipe then is lowered over and nests into the 2" pipe.

The pipes can be as long or as short as needed, and grease helps them spin quietly. If you intend to grease them, bolt the lower flange through a scrap of plastic so that the grease doesn't forever contaminate your platform top and is easily cleaned up.

Edited for clarity

Posted By: Perry
Date Posted: 1/27/09 at 8:25pm

It helps alot. Thank you. thats a great idea ill make a diagram and show it to him. thanks again

Posted By: TimW
Date Posted: 2/01/09 at 10:04am

We used 'lazy susan' bearings when we had windows that had to pivot in the middle. You can screw them into the floor/platform and into the door/window.