Trees

Carpentry

We have two trees being built. The 4×4 centers are legs for platforms. The legs will poke through the lid of the platform and the tree framing will hold chicken wire and paper mache. Each plywood half circle is cut to random sizes and placed at irregular distances...

Platforming

Platforming, things to stand on, stage decks, etc.

Here’s a mix-n-match set of platform methods. The open framed part is called a parallel.The platforms on the top are comprised of a basic 4×8 and a 4×4 platform framed using 1×6 lumber. The bottom platforms are only slightly different as they are...

Flats, aka Scenery, Walls, Masking

Carpentry

Flats, aka Scenery, Walls, Masking for Theater The Role of Flats in Theatrical Scenery: Creating Illusions on Stage A stage flat, commonly known as scenery, walls, or masking in theater, is essentially a faux wall. It’s a crucial part of scenic design, often...

Muslin

Materials

Muslin is a cloth used for numerous things in Tech Theater. It comes in several widths for all sorts of uses. Covering Flats. Covering Platforming. Covering Trees.  Covering Actors, (costumes.) Making props.  Curtains. And much more. Hint for cutting: Muslin tears in...

Homasote

Materials

For info about homasote: www.homasote.com. DON’T write to our site. We don’t sell, manufacture, supply, etc… this stuff. Homasote is a gray board that is made out of paper. It comes in 4’x8′ sheets and is 1/2″ thick. You’ll...

Plywood

Materials

I’m only going to get into the plywood we use most often. Plywood comes in standard 4’x8′ sheets and is always square. The thickness we use most often are: 1/8″, 1/4″, 1/2″ and 3/4″ 3/4″ plywood. used most often for...

Recycling

Materials

Recycling is an important part of saving our natural resources. Right now, as I type this, I’m sitting on a plane flying from Los Angeles to New York. I’m going home from a vacation during which I drove through Washington and Oregon. Seeing the baron hills...

Lumber

Materials

Board lumber comes in many different sizes, types and shapes. Most of the lumber we use in set building is taken from fast growing soft wood trees. We must do our best to recycle as much lumber as we can. While wood does grow on (in) trees, we should do our part in...

Shop Math

Carpentry

Asking a student to cut a piece of wood exactly in half will require a fraction. At least one. Remember? It’s the kerf from the saw. Kerf defined is the part of the wood that turns into saw dust. Depending on the saw, it could be anywhere from a 16th of an inch up to...

Dave’s Snubbing Knot

Knots for Theater

This is Dave Vick, IATSE #274 Master Carpenter, Flyman and Rigger. We thank Dave for his contribution to our site. “These knots brought to you courtesy of a tattooed rigger-type guy on the flyrail” The snub is tied with 5′-6′ lengths of 1/4″-5/16″ line, with an eye...

Knots – Dave’s Trucker’s Hitch

Knots for Theater

Trucker’s Hitch. This is Dave Vick, IATSE #274 Master Carpenter, Flyman, Rigger. We thank Dave for his contribution to our site. “These knots brought to you courtesy of a tattooed rigger-type guy on the flyrail. In this case, a batten needs to be secured, to keep it...
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