Set Design and Construction: Hobbit Door

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Hobbit Door

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=3137
Printed Date: 11/04/25 at 5:15am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Hobbit Door

Posted By: Bbentler
Subject: Hobbit Door
Date Posted: 4/28/08 at 7:53am

So our Toad has very round door that needs to be hinged somehow. Maybe our main building man has an idea, but any ideas of hingework for such an unusual shaped door?

Replies:

Posted By: pdavis69
Date Posted: 4/28/08 at 8:47am

Rent the Lord of the Rings. Frodo's house had an operating front door which was round. They did a nice job building the sets. Still pause on the door, sketch it and bingo! You have a design.

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Patrick L. Davis
Fort Findlay Playhouse

Posted By: bmiller025
Date Posted: 5/03/08 at 11:50pm

I think the best way of hinging a circular door is to not use traditional hinges, and instead use a long rod that is bolted to the back of the door close to the side edge, but not at the edge, and which is mounted to the door frame above and below the door itself. In other words, the door extends outside of the "hinge assembly." It needs to be mounted in an unusual manner, but the results are well worth the trouble.

I am not in a place where I can review LOTR right now, but I am quite sure the doors they built operated in this manner. I think if the circular door frame has some strength to it, you can thread the long bolt through the frame, and attach it to the door once it is in position.

Sounds like a really fun project! I wish I were building it!

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http://www.brianmiller.biz/BrianDesign.htm

Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 5/04/08 at 11:41am

I had forgotten about this thread - thanks Brain!

I was going to mention using gate hinge 'gudgeon's';-

http://www.eltrak.com.au/elgate/gatehinge.html - http://www.eltrak.com.au/elgate/gatehinge.html .

However the steel rod would work well!

[Same horse different jockey}

remember the further you place the pivot from the centre of the door, the more it's weight becomes a factor.

If you wish the door to swing fully, it will take a substantial hinge & reinforcement of the door frame.

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