Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Building a collapsable Stage/Platform
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jimmymjb2
07-09-05, 11:38 PM
Here is my problem:
My mother recently purchased a house in the country. She wants to be able to put on small concerts for her friends. So, she needs a stage for the bands to play on. "Nothing fancy." she says. It seemed simple enough in the beginning but she gradually added more features to what was once a stationary platform. Then she decided to suddenly turn up the heat with a very short completion date. So I decided to get some advice. Here is a list of what it needs to do.
- Adjustable legs for leveling on uneven terrain
- Withstand at most a small band and their equipment
- Survive exterior use
- Can be broken down and put back together with relative ease
- Lightweght for transport (this isn't a big issue)
- Simple construction
- Cheap is unfortunately the biggest request she had
If someone knows of a cheap alternative to building it, that would be good too. I'm looking for pre-built versions myself, as well as seeing if I could find some adjustable legs that I could easily attach to a simple wooden platform.
Time is a pressing issue as well; since she is getting married in a matter of days and I am extremely busy myself. So please, any advice at all would be a big help.
Thanks.
My mother recently purchased a house in the country. She wants to be able to put on small concerts for her friends. So, she needs a stage for the bands to play on. "Nothing fancy." she says. It seemed simple enough in the beginning but she gradually added more features to what was once a stationary platform. Then she decided to suddenly turn up the heat with a very short completion date. So I decided to get some advice. Here is a list of what it needs to do.
- Adjustable legs for leveling on uneven terrain
- Withstand at most a small band and their equipment
- Survive exterior use
- Can be broken down and put back together with relative ease
- Lightweght for transport (this isn't a big issue)
- Simple construction
- Cheap is unfortunately the biggest request she had
If someone knows of a cheap alternative to building it, that would be good too. I'm looking for pre-built versions myself, as well as seeing if I could find some adjustable legs that I could easily attach to a simple wooden platform.
Time is a pressing issue as well; since she is getting married in a matter of days and I am extremely busy myself. So please, any advice at all would be a big help.
Thanks.
slickshift
07-10-05, 10:25 AM
I am a musician and play in several small (3-5 member) bands
We have had all sorts of stage set-ups over the years
I can tell you, about your list, you can pick 3 items and build that
You won't/can't get all of them
Adjustable legs-it won't withstand a small band and their equipment
Ease of assembly-it won't be light
Etc...
Many "portable" stages are disassembled after use
Mostly it's time consuming and not simple
But those were the best temp. stages
The portable stage I've used that most fit your criteria was a 2-piece small low one
The two halves bolted together to form one small stage, more like a large drum riser
It was about 6 inches off the ground
The two halves, when un-bolted, could fit in a pickup
It was not big enough for all band members, but the drums and amps could fit
Taking into consideration it's more of a drum riser than stage, it hits most of your points:
- Adjustable legs for leveling on uneven terrain
NO, we used cinder blocks and shims if needed
- Withstand at most a small band and their equipment
NO, a whole band could not fit
- Survive exterior use
YES
- Can be broken down and put back together with relative ease
YES
- Lightweght for transport (this isn't a big issue)
NO, it was really heavy
- Simple construction
YES
- Cheap is unfortunately the biggest request she had
DEPENDS, on what you def. of cheap is...it was certainly the least expensive stage-type deal you could do
Well, 3 1/2 of your points :)
Rented stages tend to be very nice, but very heavy and complicated, often requiring assmembly by the rental company
And not really cheap
We have had all sorts of stage set-ups over the years
I can tell you, about your list, you can pick 3 items and build that
You won't/can't get all of them
Adjustable legs-it won't withstand a small band and their equipment
Ease of assembly-it won't be light
Etc...
Many "portable" stages are disassembled after use
Mostly it's time consuming and not simple
But those were the best temp. stages
The portable stage I've used that most fit your criteria was a 2-piece small low one
The two halves bolted together to form one small stage, more like a large drum riser
It was about 6 inches off the ground
The two halves, when un-bolted, could fit in a pickup
It was not big enough for all band members, but the drums and amps could fit
Taking into consideration it's more of a drum riser than stage, it hits most of your points:
- Adjustable legs for leveling on uneven terrain
NO, we used cinder blocks and shims if needed
- Withstand at most a small band and their equipment
NO, a whole band could not fit
- Survive exterior use
YES
- Can be broken down and put back together with relative ease
YES
- Lightweght for transport (this isn't a big issue)
NO, it was really heavy
- Simple construction
YES
- Cheap is unfortunately the biggest request she had
DEPENDS, on what you def. of cheap is...it was certainly the least expensive stage-type deal you could do
Well, 3 1/2 of your points :)
Rented stages tend to be very nice, but very heavy and complicated, often requiring assmembly by the rental company
And not really cheap