gregog Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Morning All,In the next production, the director would like the centre on the stage to rise. Now, I have a donut revolve, with a static centre. It is the centre she would like to raise. My original plan, was to use a scissor table lift to raise the platform. However, this poses certain problems. Initially it was just an esthetic thing, and it wasn't going to have cast on it. It true directorial style - she's changed her mind. Now, originally I was going to use a product like this: http://www.flints.co.uk/acatalog/Scissor_Lifts.html Product SLTG. Whilst this would lift the platform perfectly on its own, it would be unsuitable to use as a performance lift. The inner diameter of the circle to lift is approx 1900mm in diameter. I could, potentially, buy two of these lifts which would even out the load a bit better, but I would still deem unsuitable. I do have some cost limitations, but I'm hopeful that somebody can suggest some altetnatives? The profile of the set at the moment is set 305mm above stage height, so the scissor lift profile would fit underneath perfectly, which is the ideal. 800mm of travel of the platform is also more than enough. I debated getting one lift and having a company construct a steel platform to attach on to it to raise the platform as a whole, evenly... Any suggestions or ideas would be GREATLY appreciated. She won't compromise on the centre lifting, so I have to find a way of doing it. Many thanks in advance,Gregog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ImagineerTom Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 If you can get away with the "lift" and "drop" taking place with no people on it then it would be a simple measure to create some locking legs that give you a decent loading when up and just use the scissor lift for the motion element. However if the lift has to be done with people on it then there really isn't going to be a cheep solution - lifting people requires well made equipment and either bulky (and thus expensive to implement) hydraulics systems or small, quiet and powerful electric motors (which are just expensive). Flints are a nice lot and I'm sure if you were ordering multiple unit's they'd be able to do you a deal on them or help with the additional metalwork to tie them together to help keep costs down. Failing that is rental an option - many scenic companies, set builders and exhibition stand companies will have scissor lifts in their rental stock that will have been used in more demanding situations than this... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregog Posted January 21, 2013 Author Share Posted January 21, 2013 Cheers Tom,I've phoned and googled to my hearts content (before posting) to find hires of scissor tables, but to no abail. Bit of a pain in the bum really.I have found a company that are able to supply me with a scissor table (to purchase) for £2640 (3 phase)/ £3340 (single phase). Which, in retrospect is a bit of a bargain. They can make the table top 1700mm x 1500mm which is a lot better than the 800x600 I've been looking at using two of!! Still open to other suggestions though. The problem with ordering two from flints, would be to try and match the motor speeds. I'm sure with even the best will in the world I probably sitll wouldn't get them to match evenly! As for the locking legs, I wouldn't be able to get access underneath the decking due to the donut revolve, unfortunately. As I had that idea. Means I'm a bit limited, really!! Gregog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ImagineerTom Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 There are electro-mechanical ways of doing locking legs but the cost of that added to the purchase of the flints units would be virtually the same as you've been quoted for the "right tool" lift. Revolving Stage Co used to have some lifts in stockLiteStructures have lifts for hireQdos has lifts which are only ever used at christmas Also take a look at http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CAR-LIFT-MID-RISE-SCISSOR-MOBILE-/330856820275?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4d089a6e33 - it would require a few minor mod's to make it suitable for your use but nothing a half decent welder couldn't do quickly and easily Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seano Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 LiteStructures have lifts for hire The studio & hire company has been re-branded as "LS Live since Prolyte bought out the manufacturing side of the business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Have you tried talking to Stage Technologies? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregog Posted January 22, 2013 Author Share Posted January 22, 2013 There are electro-mechanical ways of doing locking legs but the cost of that added to the purchase of the flints units would be virtually the same as you've been quoted for the "right tool" lift. Revolving Stage Co used to have some lifts in stockLiteStructures have lifts for hireQdos has lifts which are only ever used at christmas Also take a look at http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CAR-LIFT-MID-RISE-SCISSOR-MOBILE-/330856820275?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4d089a6e33 - it would require a few minor mod's to make it suitable for your use but nothing a half decent welder couldn't do quickly and easily Tom,Thank you so much for the names of these companies. Currently in contact with LS Live (Thanks 'other' Tom too) as they seem to have double revolves in stock too, which could potentially eleviate all of the problems. I'd never heard of them before, so thanks!! As for Stage Tech, they're already doing a flying install for me and thats causing a bit of a headache already, so don't want to make things worse! Thanks for this stuff though guys, great info!! For anyone looking, I found this company for scissor lifts who have been EXCELLENT and are super cheap too. Definitely worth making a note of them. http://www.saxlift.co.uk/?DocumentID=712&SubID=716 Thanks again, Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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