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TruEnuff
Posts:6
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| 01/01/2008 10:01 PM |
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I am converting a small workshop into a studio. Space is limited and storage will be at a premium, but I think I can make it work OK. I want to have a platform about 16" to 18" high and large enough to allow a chair for a seated model and perhaps a few small props such as an end table and lamp. I have a corner which might work well. I could build a fixed platform, but I hate to give up the room permanently. My question is this:
Does anyone know of a way to build (or purchase) a platform that can be disassembled and stored when not in use? Some ideas that come to mind are a group of "boxes" that could be slid together or some sort of folding leg assembly like a card table. Of course, the most important feature would have to be stability. It's hard enough to find good models! If you have already solved this problem, I'd love to hear about how you did it!
Thanks and Keep Painting!
Bruce
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jdean
Posts:27
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| 01/10/2008 5:17 PM |
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(I always feel weird whenever I post in the Ask The Experts forum thinking that it's for the magazine's experts an' I aren't one  Then I thought that others might benefit from this idea too. Besides, if they post something then you'll have more options, eh?)
When I read your entry, the design for the pedestal of a cheap platform bed I had years ago came to mind, so I did a quick sketch of it. Come to find out I can't post the image here so I uploaded it to my website. You can find it at:
http://www.jeffreyjeromedean.com/blog/supdocs/platformsm.jpg
Most door hinges sold today don't have the removable pins? so you might have to hunt up so older ones at a junk store. Of course, (for added stability), dependent upon how high your platform is, you may need two hinges at each corner. And dependent upon how wide and deep you make it, you may need to have center supports of the type shown in the bottom left of the illustration. (In a really big platform, you may need to 'honeycomb' the underside with more than two boards that slide together in this way.)
The center support boards are just as high as the sides of your platform… the top will rest on them just like it will the sides. The slots in these boards are just wide enough to let a second board fit through, which will be the thickness of the wood you use. They're not glued or fastened to anything.
Note that the platform top AT LEAST covers the top edges of the side boards.
To determine the placement of the blocks of wood located on the underside of the top, connect the sides and then lay and align this assembly over the top. Position the blocks against the sides, (in what will be the inside of the structure), and screw or glue them down, but be sure they'll be out of the way of the center support boards once the platform is assembled.
Though cheaper, do not use chipboard or a composite wood; screws tend to break out of this wood and because the screws you'll be using to fasten everything together will be relatively short, (you don't want 'em sticking out of the sides), you'll need them well anchored. My recommendation is to use a good quality plywood sufficiently thick to stand up to the weight your platform will bear, at least three-quarters inch thick.
All in all, this just might be a good design for a platform you can quickly and easily assemble, teardown and store.
I think I've covered everything so Good Luck!
Cheers!
Jeff
www.JeffreyJeromeDean.com
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TruEnuff
Posts:6
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| 01/12/2008 2:04 PM |
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Hi Jeff....
Wow....thank you so much for all of the time and effort you put into this reply....expert or no! I'm impressed by your thoughtfullness, not to mention your very clever solution.
I had also come up with the 'honeycomb' idea, but your solution using the door hinges for the exterior (perimeter) pieces completes the concept beautifully. I think this is exactly what I will do. It allows the entire assembly - honeycomb and perimeter - to be broken down into individual pieces of plywood which can be stacked on end in the corner of the studio when the platform isn't needed. This is really perfect for my limited space.
It has occured to me that it might be possible to also use the honeycomb idea for the perimeter pieces as well....thereby eliminating any hardware. I'm not sure if that's an advantage or not. I'll have to sketch it up and think about it. By the way, your sketch was great....I suspect you are an architect or engineer?....in addition to being a drop-dead-talented and very original fine artist. (I'll be spending a little more time on your webpage when time allows. I've just returned from out of town and am catching up with emails, etc.)
Once again, thank you for your great idea. My platform issue is solved. I would think that this idea would be of interest to a lot of folks. I have seen a lot of really ricketty, risky platforms...including one which was no more than plywood on two coffee tables!! When I have it put together, I'll send a couple of pictures through your webpage. (That will be a little while...I am texturing and painting the studio now...which will keep me busy the next few weekends.) Work surfaces and the platform will follow that.
Thanks Jeff!!!!
Bruce Hancock
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jdean
Posts:27
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| 01/14/2008 7:27 PM |
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You're very welcome Bruce! (Never did see much sense in keeping what I know to myself... don' do nobody no good )
Cheers! |
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Administrator
Posts:194
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| 01/22/2008 8:43 AM |
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Hey, Bruce, when you finish your platform, would you post pictures here, too?
As far as that goes, Jeff, I suspect people would like to see pictures of your platform here, too. And I join Bruce in thanking you for sharing your ideas.
Holly
Administrator
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TruEnuff
Posts:6
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| 01/23/2008 11:52 PM |
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Holly....I would be happy to do that, but it's going to be a little while. I'm still in the process of getting the space cleaned up and painted. The former owner of my new (to me) home had built a 12' x 20' woodworking shop in the rear yard. When I first saw it, I drooled over the idea of making it into an art studio.....and it IS going to be wonderful, but wow, the work! I'm still patching sheetrock and getting ready for texture and paint. The reinstallation of cabinets and countertops will be the final step to having a functional studio. At that point, I can turn my attention to the platform. I think it will probably be a month or so...but when I get to that point, I'll take pictures of the construction of the platform. It's going to be pretty straightforward, thanks to Jeff's clever ideas. Shouldn't take too long once I get started (Famous Last Words).
Bruce
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jdean
Posts:27
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| 01/28/2008 2:50 PM |
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Huh. How 'bout that. (Learned something new today... You can add images
in this section if you use the 'Add Reply' option instead of the quick
post. Sorry 'bout that.)
K, so here's the pic!
Cheers!
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