Scrolling Backdrops

[ArkBuilder]

I've never built a scrolling backdrop before, but would like to build one for a blacklite show next month. The viewable backdrop size will need to be 12ft wide by 10ft tall, using thick black fabric with white tape on it creating the scenery images. Does anyone have advice about how to build a scrolling backdrop that large? I am open to hand-cranking or using a motor. Thanks!

[Van]

Did You try the search feature on here ? I think There was a post about a year ago about someone doing a scroll. I'd be happy to throw some specs your way, however. I throw something together when I get home this evening. I like the idea of Black fabric and White tape, that ought to look pretty neat under UV. What are you using for a UV source ?

[Charc]

Originally Posted by Van

Did You try the search feature on here ? I think There was a post about a year ago about someone doing a scroll. I'd be happy to throw some specs your way, however. I throw something together when I get home this evening. I like the idea of Black fabric and White tape, that ought to look pretty neat under UV. What are you using for a UV source ?

What type of tape? White gaff I'm assuming. I've never had to roll gaff tape on fabric, but I'd be worried with extended use it would peel/come off. Would paint be better, or are you hoping to re use the fabric later? Wouldn't tape leave a residue anyways?

[Van]

Well here's a basic structure in SketchUp. Quick notes on construction:
Two upright pipes should be secured to floor with standard flanges.

The Two horizontal pipe should be parallel.

The two scroll pipes should be standard 4" exhaust pipe. Weld several 1" square steel tube pieces about 3 Inches long inside the end of the exhast pipe, this will allow you to weld a 3/4" scd#40 pipe in the center of the exhaust pipe. < 3/4 scd #40 has an exterior diameter of .95" which is awful darn close to 1".

The 1" pipes should be held in place with Pillow blocks, mounted on 3"x2"x1/4" steel plates. the plates will be held to the horizontal pipes with two u-bolts.

the mobile nature of the mounting plates will allow you to "align" the scroll pipes getting them to perfectly parallel is a pain but absolutely necessary, just like on a belt sander.

you can rotate the drop by a crank attached to one of the 1" pipes or by securing a cog to the 1"pipe and then attaching a gear motor . Hope this helps. It's real quick and dirty, and I'll answer all the questions that are bound to come of it.

Ok I lied, I can't zip the sketchup file to less than 2 Mb which is too big to upload here. I attached a jpg of the drawing, I'll try to translate this into Autocad or see if I can reduce the drawing. < the cheeseboroughs are'nt mine and they are 2Mb all be themselves.

[Grog12]

Originally Posted by charcoaldabs

What type of tape? White gaff I'm assuming. I've never had to roll gaff tape on fabric, but I'd be worried with extended use it would peel/come off. Would paint be better, or are you hoping to re use the fabric later? Wouldn't tape leave a residue anyways?

Depends on the fabric. Something that's got a lot of nap to it won't work as well as say Duvie or a tshirt like matierial.

[gafftaper]

Before Van and Grog spend your money...

What's your budget?

Do you have the ability to weld?

How big does it need to be?

[Van]

Originally Posted by gafftaper

Before Van and Grog spend your money...

What's your budget?

Do you have the ability to weld?

How big does it need to be?

Oh Sure ! You and your "realative" questions !


< kinda got the cart before the horse, didn't I ?>

[Grog12]

Originally Posted by gafftaper

Before Van and Grog spend your money...
What's your budget?
Do you have the ability to weld?
How big does it need to be?

Why you always gots to ruin my fun?

[gafftaper]

Sorry guys... something about the user name "Arkbuilder" has me wondering if this is a low budget church production.

[Van]

Originally Posted by gafftaper

Sorry guys... something about the user name "Arkbuilder" has me wondering if this is a low budget church production.

Perhaps he's Mesopotamian?