Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup: Cash Registers

Print Page | Close Window

Cash Registers

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup
Forum Discription: For how-to's and where-can-I-find
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3851
Printed Date: 6/15/25 at 3:51am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Cash Registers

Posted By: tech_director
Subject: Cash Registers
Date Posted: 2/26/09 at 8:52pm

Hey everyone,

I'm helping with tech stuff for my son's one-act play. He's doing Paper or Plastic? Anyway the show takes place in grocery store check-out lines. We need someone way to make 2 cash registers. I haven't had any luck finding real ones, so I decided to build my own. These don't have to be functional.

Any ideas on where to start. I'm think about foam core.

Thanks!

Matt

Replies:

Posted By: Spectrum
Date Posted: 2/27/09 at 12:03pm

I don't know what level your "construction expertise" is at, but the simplest way I can think to make a representation of a basic cash register is to cut two identical sides from 3/4 inch plywood and then assemble the two sides with corregated cardboard (the width of the cash register) by attaching the cardboard along the edges of the side pieces. If you use foamcore, you will have to do it in sections since it doesn't fold cleanly without scoring (and that takes a very sharp knife, a straight edge, and a little skill). Make sure your starting and stopping location is the bottom of the "box" (cash register), preferably the bottom, rear seam of the cash register. Finish up by taping (1 1/2 inch or 2 inch masking tape) all the seams and joints and then painting it. You could give dimension to the "keys" by gluing on buttons, but merely painting them on would probably work.

If you wanted to make your cash register a little more sturdy, you could put a wooden substructure between the side pieces (the width of your cardboard wrap MINUS 1 1/2 inches), or even make the straight exterior surfaces out of wood before you wrap the cardboard around the outline. It would keep the assembly a lot more rigid.

Good luck with whatever you do.

As an addendum to address the comments following this one: Using this technique (above) will work for ANY type of cash register, be it old fashioned OR modern. The final DESIGN is whatever you make it.

-------------
Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.

Posted By: David McCall
Date Posted: 2/27/09 at 8:53pm

Are you looking for an antique cash register or a current version?

Today most of them are small computers with a numeric keyboard, an LCD display, and a cash drawer underneath. There is also a counter to put the food on, and a scanner/display for the credit card.

David

Posted By: tech_director
Date Posted: 3/01/09 at 5:41pm

It's very modern.

I made up a foam core one this weekend. I don't like how it turned out though. It looks clearly fake, and not a 'good' fake. We may be coming up with something else.

Posted By: vickifrank
Date Posted: 3/01/09 at 7:11pm

Have you ever seen the fake tv's and computers in furniture showrooms?

The key to making them look real is the printed photographic keyboard and sides. Have you considered 'dressing' your current model up with printed out photos of the top, and sides and front of the current real thing?

For a touch of realism add a mastercard/visa logo nearby.

-------------
_____________

http://www.studio-productions-inc.com
1-800-359-2964

The theater scrim people