RoyS Posted October 15, 2011 Share Posted October 15, 2011 Hi, I need to make a prison cell with bars for Hairspray but have little budget. I was thinking of making a 8’x4’ frame and then put in bars running from top to bottom. Then painting the whole lot shades of gray. Dowling would be great to use for the bars but is quite expensive. 15mm Polypipe was another idea but it’s less ridged and won’t take paint – but is intrinsically gray. Any thought on other/better ways to do this? Many thanks.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smalljoshua Posted October 15, 2011 Share Posted October 15, 2011 Try using 20mm black conduit, rough it up a bit with sandpaper and apply paint. Josh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Pearce Posted October 15, 2011 Share Posted October 15, 2011 Use 1x1 or 1/2x1/2 timber. From a distance its doubtful the audience would be able tell its not round, and even if they did it won't matter, they still know its prison bars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jemma Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Dowel is expensive, but - oddly - wooden broom handles are not (or at least less so). I bought some 30mm diameter ones recently for approx. £2.50 at a local hardware shop (:) for Bob's DIY in Tunbridge Wells!), but am sure if you're on a budget you could get them cheaper at one of the chain stores. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerry davies Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 At £20 for 75 metres of plastic conduit, pennies for T pieces etc it appears that Josh is onto a "no-brainer". Also easily dismantled and almost no weight worth talking about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoyS Posted October 17, 2011 Author Share Posted October 17, 2011 Hi Kerry, Which supplier were you looking at ??? Many thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ynot Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Try using 20mm black conduit, rough it up a bit with sandpaper and apply paint.I've done this twice now with great effect, and both sets are still in decent order and have been used several times by other shows. 3 x 1" main frame plus a centre horizontal. 20mm plastic conduit cut to length. drill 22mm holes in the mid bar to make feeding through easier, and part-drill the top and bottom so the conduit sits in against the butt.Get some dowel that will fit inside the conduit nice and snugly, and glue about 4 inches into each end.Drill pilot holes in said dowel so you can secure the conduit in place through the 3 x 1. And yes, rub the conduit down with fine sandpaper and it will take paint well. Here is one set being used for Anything Goes.http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j40/Ynot_01/DSC_0390.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themadhippy Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 3 meter length of 20mm heavy gauge conduit £1.71 + vat from tlc electrical, £1.05 for light gauge.or £2.30 for 3 meters of 25mm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerry davies Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Down your way, Roy, best I can find is Toolstation, City Industrial Park at £29.98 inc VAT for 30 X 3m lengths. Do check around as Trading Depot is usually cheaper and you probably do not need anything other than the cheapest available. Ynot's method is good and looks quite fine, IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themadhippy Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 TLC electrical have a branch in southampton (SO18 1UB) and will sell individual lengths of pipe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 B&Q slightly cheaper than TLC MK Heavy Gauge Black 20mm X 3M, £1.98 inc VAT Screwfix do Conduit 20mm x 3m Black (60m) Pack of 20 for 25.47 inc VAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoyS Posted October 18, 2011 Author Share Posted October 18, 2011 It's going to be conduit. Many thanks to all... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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