Advanced Scenery Fall 2018

9/26/2018

Lumber Ordering:

Stick Lumber: Size, Grade, Species, Quantity

Ex: 1×6 – 16’, No. 2, Pine, 1600 LF

Sheet Lumber: Thickness, Species, Quantity

Ex: ¼” Lauan – 8 Sheets

Notes:

-Always order more than you need, roughly 20% more than you expect to use

-Sheet goods usually end up needing one extra sheet purchased

*JJM Edit: Sheet goods need AT LEAST one extra sheet purchased, but usually less contingency that stick lumber. in the range of 10-15%.

-Also, nominal sizes do not get length marks ( ‘ / ” )

Radial Arm Saw

This tool is mostly used for cross cuts in our shop – it can be used for bevels, ripping, and mitre as well. However, the toll is difficult to realign so we do not use it for those cuts.

It can have the blade removed and replaced with a sander or even drill. This makes it a great all purpose tool, especially when space is limited.

When purchasing make sure to look for one that has high horsepower, more metal parts, and can hold a 14” blade. Most of these machines require a lot of maintenance, so buy metal parts to save later repairs.

When operating make sure to wear hearing and eye protection. Always make sure to never cross your arms as well while cutting.

Doors & Windows

The use of doors and windows give hints to where the scene takes place and a small but crucial part of the scenery.  (Ex: Noises Off: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmJWPGZp1-Y)

Two ways to build flats with doors and windows

1. Build the space into the flat (Saves time in load in)
2. Combine rectangular flats to make an opening         (Saves time in shop)

Standard doors are 32” x 6’-8”

Doors can be bought, made, or a combination or both

When buying doors consider if it needs to be solid or hollow, its hinge direction, and if it’s pre-hung

If a door needs to be built, it’s usually special in some way, as turnaround for door making is very long.

Door hardware can also be expensive, roughly being $75 or more per door.

Windows in shows do not use glass. Plexi is weak and shatters, but is scratch resistant. Polycarbonate is strong, but scratches. There are also acrylic panes, but the most popular is empty space with the use of a scrim.

Notes:

– If an actor is climbing through a window, make sure to support the frame with a vertical toggle.

– A door frame should be supported with a Sill Iron to hold the legs of the door frame.

– When transporting flats, the windows and doors are usually transported separate.

The updated syllabus has been posted reflecting the changes from our reassigned class time on 9/17.

Stick Lumber

• Grades
  • Select – lumber that may be used for its appearance
    • Select A: free from defects
    • Select B: a small number of defects
    • Select C: limited number of minor defects which can be covered with paint
    • Select D: any amount of defects which do not interfere with the appearance of the finish
  • Common – suitable only for structural use
    • No. 1 through No. 5
    • No. 1 is the best quality and No. 5 is the worst
• Raoul recommends Select C for flats

1″x _ Lumber

• 1″x_ is graded visually
• When stocking a shop consult with your lumber yard about which size 1″x _ to stock
• if you choose to stock separate sizes it will require more space and be a more complex order

2″x _ Lumber

• Graded structurally
• CityTech typically uses SPF (Spruce, Pine, Fir)
• 2″x 6″ and 2″x 8″ are used for platform construction

5/4″ x _ Lumber

• Typically No. 2 at CityTech
• Graded on appearance
• slightly thicker than 1″x _

Poplar

• Straight-grained hardwood
• Slightly stronger than pine
• Good for prop furniture
• Too expensive for flats

Ordering Lumber

Specify:

• Grade
• Species
• Size
• Quantity

*Ex. 1″x 6″ No. 2 Pine – 10pcs @ 16′-0″

Board Feet

• Measure of volume
• 1 board foot is 12″ x 12″ x 1″
• Taken from nominal size of lumber
• W x L x T/144 = board feet
• used mainly for hardwoods and at old yards

Sheet Lumber

Plywood

• Plywood is built by layering
• More layers = flatter
• Plywood has grain cross-layered for strength
• 3/4″ A/C plywood is 0.75″ thick and has one good face and one poor face
• 1/4″ B/C ply is typically used for straps and corner blocks

Lauan

• Lauan has no structural value
  • 1/4″ lauan is only 3/16″ thick

MDF

• Medium density fiberboard
• used in cheap furniture and cabinet

Masonite

• High density fiberboard
• Tempered for H2O resistance
• Must use pilot holes and countersink (every 1′-0″)
• Takes time to prep and use

Others

• MDO
  • Marine rated for use in which situations
• Homasote
  • Good for sound insulation and pegboard construction

Screws

3 measures

• Shaft length
• Gauge (diameter)
• Threads per inch
  • Drywall screws
  • Coarse or fine

Drywall

• Cheapest
• Easy to break
• Not durable

Decking screws

• Stronger for wood

Screws:

• Slower and more brittle than nails
• Easier for straight install
• Good for tension
• Heads: Philips, flat-head, square drive
  • Philips for drills
  • Use one kind of screw for shop construction and one type for load in
• Common sizes:
  • No. 1
  • No. 2 – most common in theater
  • No. 3 – larger wood screws
• Harder materials need pilot holes
• Oak, maple, poplar, etc.

I have tabulated the results of the textbook questionnaire. Here they are:

Total replies: 14

Do you have the required textbooks? Yes: 7 No: 6 Illegible: 1

Have you completed all the reading assignments? Yes: 2 No: 11 Illegible: 1

These results are very disappointing to me. This is an elective class, and the only reason to take it is if you want to learn the material. Our class activities are intended to be completed after you have done the reading on the subject, and will largely be a waste of time if you are unprepared. I do not want to spend class time covering material that you should have read outside of class. Our time in class is limited and valuable, and we can get more out of it if everyone is prepared to fully participate.

The library on campus will be open on Monday and Tuesday from 9am to 5pm. If you don’t have your books, I suggest you use that time to come in and do the reading.

Everyone – This Saturday (9/8/18) the Haunted Hotel scenery crew will be having a work call to load in scenery on stage from 9am-6pm. They are in need of some extra help. If you have any availability and would like to help out, contact Mike Rinaldi at mrinaldi@citytech.cuny.edu.

This call would be a good chance to work with a lot of flats, which is directly related to the course content in this class right now. If you have never worked on a big scenery load-in, you should consider coming in to help out.

Thanks.

Mom and pop hardware stores can serve many need for local contractors, carpenters, plumbers or homeowners looking for parts, tools and other essentials for projects both small and large. Few hardware stores will offer the kindness and resources that Bartunek Hardware will offer. Since 1925, Bartunek has been generously helping those with projects by providing supplies and advice to those in need. Bartunek stands in the same location since the building was constructed and is also the oldest business in Astoria, rivaled only by Steinway & Sons piano company which opened its doors in Astoria between the years 1870 and 1880.

When I entered the location, I was quickly greeted and asked what I needed helped with. The store owner’s son, Dan, provided me with all the information I needed and then more. The store offers materials for all sorts of projects such as carpentry, electrical, plumbing, painting, locksmithing, painting and even model building. The location just started selling stock 2×4 lumber and has plans to sell flat lumber once the stores garage space is cleared out.

The Store’s location is easy to find and is easy to get to from the Ditmars blvd N/W train station. The store has been slightly renovated but still retains its aesthetic of a 1920’s hardware store, keeping its storefront relatively unchanged since its opening. This location really blends into the rest of the neighborhood and can be easily overlooked, especially since the location closes around 5pm and caters mostly those who need quick supplies and can’t necessarily make a trip to a home depot or other larger hardware stores.

Garcia Hardware is the closest store to my house which means that is the one in any quick emergency i will go to. It is located at 995 columbus ave, New York, NY. This hardware store is a family business and  the whole family is involved. As soon as you walk in they try to help you and get familiar with your needs.

They have all the supplies a plumber, electrician, carpenter too.  Surprisingly for me they have a good selection of blades, rent of cordless drill, hand saw and other tool you might need to do any construction work.  In the plumbing section they have different types of pipes and the materials needed to build a good plumbing system like tapes, medals, cement, plaster, clamps and pipes. They have a lot materials and mostly the basics to do your work efficiently.

It is not my first time going there and every time i go there i find what i looking for but i need their help because it is a small space and most of the materials and tools they are kind of hidden. Overall it is a good place to be close home to get everything i miss in those visits to home depot but i need someone from the store to help me

The local hardware store I picked is currently 1 block away from me.

It’s been running for 23 years and its run by an elderly couple. It’s small but carries major stuff that you may need to grab in a pinch.

They make keys (although almost everyone can make it now a days), they sell locks, light bulbs, clap lights, wires, Pliers, Paint, spray paint, wood Finishes, drill bits, power tools, Extension cords, bug repellents, Paint supplies, and tape.

You can ask them questions like what kind of drill bit you’ll need to drill through drywall or wood, and also the kind of size bit. I made a homemade light out of a container housing and the store owner helped me out with the parts needed for it not to be a fire hazard, and questioned me how I was going to build it to ensure I wasn’t going to be building it wrong and cause a problem.

Overall it’s a small place to go but has some good essentials ! 

This is the local hardware store in my neighborhood. It is located at 269 Schenectady Ave. in Brooklyn, New York. This store’s specialties are plumbing supplies and accessories, paint (Pratt & Lambert), and some home electrical supplies as well. The staff was somewhat helpful but they certainly were not experts. They told me that the store is family owned and operated. One employee remained on his phone using FaceTime for the whole time I was there.

Finding most things inside of the store was rather easy, items were mainly grouped according to purpose. The store is fairly easy to spot from the street however, they are limited on space inside and that can be an annoyance at times. There isn’t a large selection of tools in stock there but they do have some masonry tools and equipment in addition to paint, plumbing, and electrical tools. All in all, this is a solid and reliable local shop that carries the tools and supplies that are most needed for the work being done in the neighborhood around them, but it’s not exactly anything special or out of the ordinary.