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Charlie328
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bullet Topic: foot activated stops
    Posted: 3/09/09 at 8:43am
Hello All,
    I was attending a play the other day and saw the stage crew roll set pieces out on stage and press a quick release foot activated stop to lock them in place, then release the stop with another foot press......Great!! Does anyone know the name of this "stop" and where one can go to purchase them?  I realize that I am showing my absolute ignorance but....I learn something new each day and that is what makes it fun to continue in theatre.   Probably covered in Set Building 101 or something....must have been sleeping through that part of the lecture.Confused
Thank you in advance for any input.
Charlie
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bullet Posted: 3/09/09 at 8:57am
We're using those on a set wagon for 'Holes' right now. I'll find out the details when I'm there again and let you know if someone hasn't answered you by then.
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pdavis69
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bullet Posted: 3/09/09 at 11:03am
Just go to Lowes or Home depot and ask for them in the wheel caster department.
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David McCall
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bullet Posted: 3/09/09 at 12:10pm
My solution for this is a straight line toggle clamp as shown here
 Hopefully this very long link can make it through.
 
That little rubber foot isn't adequate though. When stage hands move the wagon with the foot down the foot wears off onto the floor. It isn't that stable either. I modify the clamp by replacing the foot with a 2"x 4" block of wood (oak in my case) with a flat rubber pad on the bottom. This can be quite stable, but you still usually need 2 per wagon. The objective is to lift the wagon by about 1/4" to lift the wheel at that corner to transfer the weight from the wheel to the clamp.
 
To install clamp, screw the bolt in as far as possible (the bolt can get bent if too much is exposed). Attach the clamp in the down position and place a 1/4" piece of plywood under the wheel at that corner. That should give you just enough lift to hold the wagon.
 
I buy them at woodcraft because they are close to where I live. Be careful though. There are a lot of variations on this style device designed for different applications.
 
Let me know if this doesn't make sense.
 
I would be interested in hearing about any other solutions.
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TonyDi
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bullet Posted: 3/09/09 at 5:24pm
You could just as easily buy locking casters similar (or perhaps exactly) like those on hospital beds and other equipment.  Those come in many sizes and it just acts like a BRAKE on the rubber caster so it doesn't move.  There are others that anchor to the stage with a rubber foot that drops down when you step on it and then it releases with a little release lever you also step on.  They're spring loaded so they're not in use in the UP position.  Many variations on the theme - some more or less expensive depending upon what you get.  Buy specific locking stage casters and you pay for the specific item - pay less someplace else like a hardware store that also might have the same thing that isn't for stage use.  Got to shop around.  Nothing new - just variations on a theme.  Good luck.  They're easy to find.
 
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Charlie328
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bullet Posted: 3/09/09 at 7:47pm
Thank you everyone for the ideas....have been looking around at Lowes and Home Depot....no luck as yet....either my market area is too small for the items to be stocked or I haven't been able to ask the right people yet.
Will continue.....the ones I saw were the spring loaded variety....have the locking castors but when mounted under a rolling flat are hardto get too especially in a black out scene change situation....and the wedges are too hard to do in a quick scene change....
Again...thank you all for the quick and informative responses....will post a message upon successful completion of the hunt.
Charlie
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TonyDi
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bullet Posted: 3/09/09 at 8:45pm
Try these items - one of many types.....
 
 
 
These clamp flat on the outside corners of the platform/wagon and you can either operate the lever by hand or with your foot.  Works nicely but they show.  CAN perhaps be camoflauged or painted to match wagon or spray black to not show.
 
Also here - near bottom of page with price
 
 
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Charlie328
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bullet Posted: 3/09/09 at 10:22pm

Toni,

  
Thank you for the sites.   Will be ordering them today....get a couple and then check the applications out and order the sets we need.
Charlie
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bullet Posted: 3/09/09 at 11:00pm

Tony

That is the same one I use. Here is link is the item's page http://www.stagespot.com/product/ROS-WAGBRAKES/Wagon%20Brakes%20300lbs  Production Advantage has the better price though.
 
On this page note the bolt with the rubber bumper on the end. That little piece of rubber just doesn't hold a wagon very well. I attach a block of wood using the original bolt (you have to countersink it) then add a rubber pad on the bottom.
Two of them held 3 x 2-story wagons tied together with 18 pirates swaying side to side in unison. Well, not every night. One night they forgot to set the brakes. It was a very funny sight, but very dangerous and scary. They managed to hit a frequency in there sway that was sympathetic with the 3 linked wagons. The wagons were rolling back and forth to the beat.
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TonyDi
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bullet Posted: 3/10/09 at 7:09am
Originally posted by David McCall

Tony

That is the same one I use. Here is link is the item's page http://www.stagespot.com/product/ROS-WAGBRAKES/Wagon%20Brakes%20300lbs  Production Advantage has the better price though.
 
On this page note the bolt with the rubber bumper on the end. That little piece of rubber just doesn't hold a wagon very well. I attach a block of wood using the original bolt (you have to countersink it) then add a rubber pad on the bottom.
Two of them held 3 x 2-story wagons tied together with 18 pirates swaying side to side in unison. Well, not every night. One night they forgot to set the brakes. It was a very funny sight, but very dangerous and scary. They managed to hit a frequency in there sway that was sympathetic with the 3 linked wagons. The wagons were rolling back and forth to the beat.
 
WOW!! A MUCH better idea.  Yeah, I don't like that bolt with it's tiny rubber foot.  Not much to hold things in place especially if there is a lot of movement or activity on the platforms.  Better to use it as you suggest and a much greater footprint to keep things more secure. PLUS the more of them used the more stable it is - naturally.  One on each corner is often not enough.  Maybe better with three on a side - one at each corner and one at a mid-point along the sides length of the platform.  Whatever it takes.  If you CAN drill holes in the floor you can use a standard L brake similar or exactly the same as a gate L lock or the bigger screen door barrel locks that have the indent in the hardware to keep it in an open position and then by hand, drop the barrel into the hole in the floor.  AND the holes need not be temporary. If you do this a lot you can create a permanent locking spot with a length of thick walled brass tubing inserted into the hole that is slightly larger than the barrel of the screen door sliding lock.  If you CAN drill holes and don't want them to remain permanent then be sure you drill a hole the size of a length of dowel rod that can be inserted, glued and cut off flush filling the hole which would then get painted to hide the dowel.
 
Just some added thoughts.
 
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