Climbing Frame

[the kid]

2 part question, thankfully I have been given time to decide about it.

 

We are doing jungle book and "need a climbing frame, we can make it out of scaff"

 

Not knowing yet exactly how big this thing is going to be 1st question is, making such a thing out of scaff with keeklamp, and then have it climbed on, I assume we are going to be ok and not need a ticket for it?

 

Secondly does anyone have/know of anything that would be equal to scaff in strength but be as light as ali/lighter + paintable. (or a climbing frame)

 

I remember some stuff when I was younger that was red tubes and black links but I think that’s going to be £££.

[Brian]

...equal to scaff in strength ...

Why does it need to be this strong? Real climbing frames aren't made from scaff and they meet all the necessary standards.

[paulears]

For interesting structures like this, I've always found these to be really useful. They're not exactly cheap - but for what they do cost, they're great value for money. You can make all sorts of things out of them - and for things like climbing frames, they're really easy ways to make strong and weird things. We had loads of this at college, and when somebody wants ramps, angles, spinning bits and general exciting sets, they do the business.

[kerry davies]

Same thing, Paul. http://www.keesystems.com/index.php?option...er&Itemid=8

Suspiciously similar photos, methinks.

For Jungle Book I would have thought a wooden structure might suit better and there are plenty of kids frame designs that could be "borrowed".

[Bryson]

Why does it need to be this strong? Real climbing frames aren't made from scaff and they meet all the necessary standards.

 

Well, climbing frames are designed for kids to use, though, whereas the performers in this may well be fully-grown adults.

 

Also, for stage use, then building it overscale may have advantages (especially if the performers are adults pretending to be kids...) We did a show recently with playground swings that used scaffolding for the same reason.

[andy_s]

Bamboo.

lightweight.

strong.

used for scaffold on hi-rise buildings throughout the far east.

[madorangepanda]

For interesting structures like this, I've always found these to be really useful. They're not exactly cheap - but for what they do cost, they're great value for money. You can make all sorts of things out of them - and for things like climbing frames, they're really easy ways to make strong and weird things. We had loads of this at college, and when somebody wants ramps, angles, spinning bits and general exciting sets, they do the business.

 

These are the aforementioned Kee Clamps. Just ones made by Doughty.

[TomHoward]

Just to throw another key clamp brand into the ring, we've used Fisher Alvin clamps ordered via SGB / Harco in the past and they've worked out a lot cheaper than the theatrical suppliers prices.

[paulears]

Rather OT, but they've been selling thousands of these type of clamps to the motorway people - all the new cabling termination boxes are up the sides of embankments, needing a proper access route complete with handrails for the once in a while access requirement. Must have cost a fortune!

[WiLL]

In terms of making the structure lighter/easier to build you could always consider getting aluminium scaff pipe as opposed to steel. They are remarkably lighter although it has to be said, remarkably more expensive too.

I'm also a firm advocate of key clamps ( I tend to buy mine at Flints) although I would recommend if you have a long run or rehearsal period where the clamps might be under strain from violent movement on the frame, that checking the tightness of the allen keys on a regular basis is a good idea. Particularly clamps which join ninety degree junctions that when loose can slip down the vertical pole. Another point, and this has only happened to me once, is that I have broken one such clamp before from over tightening it, it literally just split down it's mold line. I think probably more due to a faulty clamp than anything else.

[Richard the chandler]

Actually our advice normally for set ups such as these that might be having rather extreme forces put onto them is to take out the grub screw entirely and drill through the entire clamp and tube so that you can bolt through. Its a fairly common technique to use on flying bars which are two pieces and use a grub screw type fitting.

[the kid]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

 

The ideal thing I am looking for is something not too expensive. It is yet to be designed but last time I bought a load of scaff it was £140 for not a massive amount, I am guessing that it is double + more for ali.

 

The show is on tour as well but only 2 places.

[kerry davies]

If cash is a prime concern have you thought of using tower scaff units?

 

Done it with aluminium but more often with steel tower frames to create crenellated walkways/towers etc. and is much quicker for touring get-ins. Reduces construction and with very few extra braces/diagonals can do the job.

 

Another thought is why buy? We used to have an advertising/sponsorship deal with Lansford Access whereby they loaned us kit for free programme ads. They came up with some very creative solutions to the often strange ideas of our artistic director.

[Tom]

Generation for Aluminium Scaffold tubes - see to be much cheaper than else where - about £26 if I remember correctly.

Alvin for Key Clamps.

[madorangepanda]

I've made quite a few scaffolding sets before.

 

Generally I've always gone for aluminium tube and normal scaffold couplers. Kee clamps aren't really designed to take this kind of loading as they just use a grub screw to tighten. That and scaffold couplers are cheaper.

 

For lengths of tube and couplers you can easily hire at a good rate, shorter lengths become pricey to hire however. Specific lengths not in multiples of 1' you would likely need to buy.

 

@Kerry

Most aluminium towers are noisy, wobbly and more importantly not designed to have people climbing on the outside of them.

 

 

Any scaffolding or access equipment supplier will be cheaper than theatrical suppliers for this kind of kit. As most theatrical suppliers will just be getting it from them anyway and not with much of a discount.