Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Modular Flats Triangular construction

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Dear Set Techies. . .

I am constructing flats with foam panels (4' x 8' x 1/4").  These flats are movable, collapsible, and reversible.  They are basically 4 ft equalateral triangles 8 ft tall.  

I am trying to determine whether to construct them with a wood "picture" frame (and capture the pannels in a slot all around). 

 Or place the panels in a slot at the base and top and create a Velcro hinge on the vertical edges.

My concerns are:

1) Panel durability

2) How to incorporate the wood frame in the first option so as not have to repaint the frame for each production.  Could this be an artistic license thing?  Can the picture frame be part of the Scenery?

3) How to dye or color the velcro strips on the panels to be part of the scene. (the velcro would be on both sides because they are reversible)

4) Will the Velcro be durable enough, . .and will it damage the panels during disassembly?

I would appreciate any thought or hints.  

I always wanted to build furniture.  I just don't want to start out with the "pine" box   

Thanks vey much,               John Fox

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John Fox Walk-On Joined: 8/02/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Topic: Modular Flats Triangular construction Posted: 8/05/09 at 12:10am
	Dear Set Techies. . . I am constructing flats with foam panels (4' x 8' x 1/4"). These flats are movable, collapsible, and reversible. They are basically 4 ft equalateral triangles 8 ft tall. I am trying to determine whether to construct them with a wood "picture" frame (and capture the pannels in a slot all around). Or place the panels in a slot at the base and top and create a Velcro hinge on the vertical edges. My concerns are: 1) Panel durability 2) How to incorporate the wood frame in the first option so as not have to repaint the frame for each production. Could this be an artistic license thing? Can the picture frame be part of the Scenery? 3) How to dye or color the velcro strips on the panels to be part of the scene. (the velcro would be on both sides because they are reversible) 4) Will the Velcro be durable enough, . .and will it damage the panels during disassembly? I would appreciate any thought or hints. I always wanted to build furniture. I just don't want to start out with the "pine" box Thanks vey much, John Fox
	Thanks very much & Best to you, John

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Gaafa Celebrity Joined: 3/21/04 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 1181	Posted: 8/05/09 at 9:00pm
	1] With foam, this will be a problem. 2] Why not? 3]This could be a hiccup, even using neutral coloured velco, they will possibly stick ou like dogs balls. not having painted or coloured velco before, I'm not sure if the little hooks would catch on to it's mating piece securly or not? 5] The only problem would be the foam pulling away with use & fixing the velco to it.
	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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David McCall Celebrity Joined: 1/28/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 299	Posted: 8/06/09 at 11:35am
	There is a lot of information available on the net. Try doing a search on periaktoi. We had a set of 8 of them for several years. They take up a lot of space if you try to store them. If I were to build a new set I would definitely design them to be built out of standard flats that I could use in other applications. I would also want them to be designed to be disassembled for storage. One of the parts that takes some thought is filling the corners to where the flats come together. Another thing to consider is movement. It is very aggravating to try to place them edge to edge if they are free to move around the stage. If they are to be stationary then I would want them to swivel on a pivot. If you can screw into the stage this can just be a a flange and a short piece of pipe (called a nipple). This can just go through a hole in the floor of the periaktoi If you can't screw into the stage, then you will need a floor under them that the wheels can ride on and the pivot can be screwed to. The wheels can either be on the floor, or mounted to the new floor and ride on the underside of the periaktoi. this would operate quieter. Casters that don't swivel are easier to work with in this application. If your stock of wheels are all swiveled, then it is recommended to rotate in the same direction for each scene change. Swivel wheels tend to bind up if they have to change direction.
	David M
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Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup
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Topic: Modular Flats Triangular construction( Topic Closed)