davesedbergh Posted October 9, 2006 Share Posted October 9, 2006 Hi guys, We are in the throws of planning for putting on Jesus Christ Superstar as the main school production next year. However we have one problem......as always.....only one?? We have an antiquated hall with wooden stage and I need some kind of floor covering to protect this whilst scaffold is up!! Ideally I would like to find a single piece floor covering but not sure if this is possible!!?? The stage itself is 20 ft deep and 42 ft wide.....can anyone point me in the right direction of what to use, where from etc??? I am only in the process of training to be theatre tech at the school and would appreciate the help!!! Many thanks Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted October 9, 2006 Share Posted October 9, 2006 You can get proper flooring you can lay, but it will be expensive. Some people use 1220 x 2440 sheets of hardboard - I prefer MDF myself. screw it down with countersunk holes and it is tough, can be painted, and you can always take it up and use the other side when it gets tatty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davesedbergh Posted October 9, 2006 Author Share Posted October 9, 2006 You can get proper flooring you can lay, but it will be expensive. Some people use 1220 x 2440 sheets of hardboard - I prefer MDF myself. screw it down with countersunk holes and it is tough, can be painted, and you can always take it up and use the other side when it gets tatty. Unfortunately, I cant screw or fix in to the flooring currently there, something about holes in the floor when taken up as I can only have the floor down for the duration of the set being in place. The floor needs to be temporary and reusable!!!! Just to make things even easier!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbsy Posted October 9, 2006 Share Posted October 9, 2006 Well, if you want a re-usable floor, there's always Harlequin stage floors (sometimes referred to as "Marley" except Marley haven't made it since 1977!) but it's VERY expensive. However, once you have it, it lasts forever and is a nice surface for actors/dancers to move on. Harlequin web site HERE. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah Q Posted October 10, 2006 Share Posted October 10, 2006 When I have been doing theatre work in my local ballroom, who are very precious about their floor, we use hardboard sheets and take it right to the edge of the floor, then use gaffer tape. I wouldn't recommend it on varnished or painted surfaces, obviously, but if you can do it discreetly, then they don't seem to mind too much. The advantage to hardboard is that it can be painted to match the set, and re-used for the next time you are staging an extravaganza..... Just my 2p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Hampson Posted October 10, 2006 Share Posted October 10, 2006 I would second the use of MDF over Plywood, mainly due to the lower cost and there is a much lower risk of splinters (Esp. if people are dancing barefoot) however don't go for the really thin 'hardboard' type, as this won't provide you with much protection from the scaffold legs. From the original post I am not sure if you even want to cover the whole floor or just protect the bits under the scafolding legs. You can get scaffold bases that would spread the load over a much larger area (The last ones we used were about 150mm x 150mm and look very much like a smaller version of a 'tank trap') preventing denting the floor, there are also plastic floor protectors that go under these bases to stop any possible scratching of the floor. Most scaffolding companies will be able to supply these as part of the structure, unfortunately they are generally made in bright yellow plastics. I'll have a quick lok around for some photos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stebee Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 cover the area you need to protect with MDF is the answer, cheap and cheerful. DO NOT put your scafflod directly on a "Marley" floor.if laying MDF be sure to do so in a Brickwork pattern for added stability ste Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davesedbergh Posted October 11, 2006 Author Share Posted October 11, 2006 Thanks for all the advice guys. Will probably end up going for the MDF option, only problem is where to store it...hmm...well, thats another problem to overcome after!! Thanks for the help, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jivemaster Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 can you redesign the scaffold to have flat smooth feet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the kid Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 You can get caps for scaff but I'm sure there must be some form of protective caps. Or you could get normal caps and stick on old carpet bits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jivemaster Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 scaf can have feet about 6in sq get some and fit a larger substantial piece of ply with a carpet buffer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davesedbergh Posted October 11, 2006 Author Share Posted October 11, 2006 The feet of the scaff will all be hidden by cladding so the look is not a problem, just cannot mark the stage at all and was ideally looking for a single piece floor covering!!! But don't think this is now possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the kid Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 Re what Jivemaster said I have only see plastic ones but what is stopping you from buying a sheet or 2 of 8x4 mdf and making a square up that will contain the legs (I'm assuming 4/2/1 legs) and sticking some carpet on the base. Almost all carpet places will have some cut off or old swatch books. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbsy Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 I'm a fan of the square metal plates (which spread the load out a bit) rather than the plastic caps (which all too often seem to split a bit and let the metal through). Using these, usually with a bit of thin carpet underneath, I've never marked a floor. They're a common (and cheap) part from any scaff supplier. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seano Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 They're a common (and cheap) part from any scaff supplier.Quite so, I'd be quite suspicious of anyone building scaff who hadn't heard of baseplates. It would ring the "this guy is bluffing about how much experience he has" alarm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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