ISO Used Drape Resources

tdtastic

Active Member
Hey guys and gals,

Looking for ideas of where to purchase used stage drapes. Gearing up for 39 Steps and need to create a tab curtain about 20'x20'. Wouldn't be able to rig anything rented without probably destroying it....and I REALLY don't want to have to sew something. Looking for old tabs or legs in fullness that I could make into a faux grand drape.

Director is flexible on color, but not black. Ideas? GO!
 
Contact local installers and rental houses and look for a deal on something 1 step away from the dumpster?

The problem you may run into is flame retadant. My guess is one of the main reasons replacement drapes are purchased is due to the flame retardant certificate expiring, and the cost of having them re-certified isn't worth it when the drapes are near end-of-life anyway.

We once rented a painted drop that looked like a show curtain, any chance that would suffice?
 
I can tell you from a manufacturers standpoint you're going to be hard pressed to find 'Used' drapes. We destroy anything we remove, simply cannot take the liability that an out of date fabric would create. Maybe a school that's had it's stock replaced recently, or stuff that is damaged that they don't use anymore. Hit up some Universities.
 
I can tell you from a manufacturers standpoint you're going to be hard pressed to find 'Used' drapes. We destroy anything we remove, simply cannot take the liability that an out of date fabric would create. Maybe a school that's had it's stock replaced recently, or stuff that is damaged that they don't use anymore. Hit up some Universities.
@Van What's an "ISO"?
An Isosceles triangle?
An isolated incident?
An Independent Source Of?
Just another acronym?
Toodleoo!
Ron Hebbard.
 
@Van What's an "ISO"?
An Isosceles triangle?
An isolated incident?
An Independent Source Of?
Just another acronym?
Toodleoo!
Ron Hebbard.
Huh? International Organization for Standardization as far as I know.... Oh You mean the thread title. "In Search Of" or "Is Seeking Out"
 
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TOO MANY ACRONYMS NOWADAYS!!!

As we used to tell our kids (and now our grand kids, and as my wife tells me occasionally when I'm at a loss), "Use your words, dear!"
 
TOO MANY ACRONYMS NOWADAYS!!!

As we used to tell our kids (and now our grand kids, and as my wife tells me occasionally when I'm at a loss), "Use your words, dear!"
@JonCarter Exactly! Similarly to when someone casually drops "TJIs" into a thread. I go back to the top of the thread and re-read the entire thread without noticing anything that could be abbreviated to TJIs. I guess the author just can't spare the extra 15 seconds to type out the words, whatever they are. I'll buy the acronyms when they've been elaborated on the first time they appear in a given thread but find them a set-back when they're casually dropped in mid thread. Perhaps I'm naive, over-reacting or too obsessive compulsive but I find myself often typing SL (Stage Left) the first time in any given post before abbreviating to SL every time after that. Even common acronyms like WAP have at least three interpretations when you go Googling for them and that's when you've narrowed your frame of reference to computer terms and eliminated racial slurs. Perhaps, some year, I may learn what TJIs equates to. Perhaps it won't be too long as I've already cottoned on to LVL. [Which, incidentally, has nothing to do with comparative signal levels]
Bottom Line: If a person is genuinely concerned with imparting knowledge to the masses, perhaps they could fully spell out their acronyms upon the occasion of first use in a given thread. I find my self typing AFF (Above Finished Floor) whenever I first drop it in to a thread on a theatrical forum. Perhaps not if I was typing to architects but it's not an abbreviation I usually come across in theaters. While they're under construction, sure, but not after they've been in operation for a number of years and all of the contractors are long gone.
Edit: I just did a little Googling and it was entertaining.
First up for "TJIs" was a menu for a Chinese diner.
Next came info' for a manufactured Truss Joist product but getting the I defined took a little more digging, passing through Truss Joist Incorporated and eventually hinting that the I indicated an I beam as opposed to any other cross sections such as C channels.
On the plus side: At least I think I'll recognize the acronym the next time it shows up unless it has different meaning in a different thread the next time.
Toodleoo!
Ron Hebbard.
 
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In Defense of the "ISO" That IS a standard Acronym in use well before the Interwebs. It goes back to "classified Ads", at least. "SWM ISO S/B F for NSA fun" ... Or at least that's the way I remember reading them....
 
In Defense of the "ISO" That IS a standard Acronym in use well before the Interwebs. It goes back to "classified Ads", at least. "SWM ISO S/B F for NSA fun" ... Or at least that's the way I remember reading them....
@Van You're making me giggle. One time I was with a show on Broadway for a number of months and ended up living in a really spiffy place some 7 stories up diagonally across from Macey's. The Village Voice used to get handed out for free several nights a week on my way home. I couldn't help but notice the personals and the endless acronyms. It was either once per week or once per month when they published a re-cap of their acronyms and I neatly cut a copy out for future reference. I dang near gagged when I learned what GAFP meant in their vernacular. Clearly I've led a naive life up here in Canada.
Toodleoo!
Ron Hebbard.
 
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@JonCarter Exactly! Similarly to when someone casually drops "TJIs" into a thread. I go back to the top of the thread and re-read the entire thread without noticing anything that could be abbreviated to TJIs. I guess the author just can't spare the extra 15 seconds to type out the words, whatever they are. I'll buy the acronyms when they've been elaborated on the first time they appear in a given thread but find them a set-back when they're casually dropped in mid thread. Perhaps I'm naive, over-reacting or too obsessive compulsive but I find myself often typing SL (Stage Left) the first time in any given post before abbreviating to SL every time after that. Even common acronyms like WAP have at least three interpretations when you go Googling for them and that's when you've narrowed your frame of reference to computer terms and eliminated racial slurs. Perhaps, some year, I may learn what TJIs equates to. Perhaps it won't be too long as I've already cottoned on to LVL. [Which, incidentally, has nothing to do with comparative signal levels]
Bottom Line: If a person is genuinely concerned with imparting knowledge to the masses, perhaps they could fully spell out their acronyms upon the occasion of first use in a given thread. I find my self typing AFF (Above Finished Floor) whenever I first drop it in to a thread on a theatrical forum. Perhaps not if I was typing to architects but it's not an abbreviation I usually come across in theaters. While they're under construction, sure, but not after they've been in operation for a number of years and all of the contractors are long gone.
Edit: I just did a little Googling and it was entertaining.
First up for "TJIs" was a menu for a Chinese diner.
Next came info' for a manufactured Truss Joist product but getting the I defined took a little more digging, passing through Truss Joist Incorporated and eventually hinting that the I indicated an I beam as opposed to any other cross sections such as C channels.
On the plus side: At least I think I'll recognize the acronym the next time it shows up unless it has different meaning in a different thread the next time.
Toodleoo!
Ron Hebbard.
I didnt know they had another name than TJI since i first learned about them 45 years ago. Almost seems more specific than 2x4, which of course isnt unless its steel or aluminum in which case it could be. Almost shed a tear, for which i need a Kleenix - a facial tissue in loony land I suppose.

And why does Van getting educated from reading personals not surprise me?
 
@Van What's an "ISO"?
An Isosceles triangle?
An isolated incident?
An Independent Source Of?
Just another acronym?
Toodleoo!
Ron Hebbard.

I don't see that Van edited the post you quote here, Ron, nor that it has ISO in it -- though in the context, I'd have automatically assumed the standards org, talking about flammability standards.
 
I think the ISO comment concerns the thread title.
@BillConnerFASTC what once were called Stress Skin Panels are now called SIPS it seems.
 
I don't see that Van edited the post you quote here, Ron, nor that it has ISO in it -- though in the context, I'd have automatically assumed the standards org, talking about flammability standards.
@Jay Ashworth Van explained I should have recognized ISO in the thread's title as an acronym commonly used in classified advertisements for "In Search Of"
Toodleoo!
Ron Hebbard.
 
I think the ISO comment concerns the thread title.
@BillConnerFASTC what once were called Stress Skin Panels are now called SIPS it seems.
Stressed Skin Panels are simply panels that rely on the skin for structure. SIS are structurally insulated panels. Stressed skin panels can be built with any number of core materials: foam, honey comb, wood - and it is not necessarily continuous. The first ones I saw and work on were usually (wood) one by or (wood) five quarter - occasionally two-by - continuous wood members with plywood skins. I recall one in the 4' x 16' range with just 1 x 4 (probably 12 or 16" centers) and 1/4" ply skins. A lot of the "science" was the in the fastener and adhesive requirements, especially in the skins. Many modern platforms and orchestra shells use honeycomb - craft paper that collapsed and is stretched out and glued (the edges of the craft paper) to the skins - hardboard (masonite) or ply (plywood). Some were built with just plastic laminate (Formica) skins.

SIPS are continuous foam cores - EPS or XPS (do I have to spell that out? expanded polystyrene which is bead bard or like what big macs come in and extruded polystyrene like the typically pink or blue Styrofoam sheets (of which only one is actually Styrofoam - a registered trademark) or polyiso ( full name polyisocyanurate).

Personally, I find it better communication to use common acronyms and shortenings and if someone needs to know, ask, rather than spell out everything in laborious detail so all can understand. I did not know what ISO was, was pretty sure it was not ISO standards, and I missed nothing of importance. YMMV (oh wait - your mileage may vary IIRC (if I recall correctly)) CUL8R
 
By the way, here is the basic guide to stressed (NOT stress) skin panels: https://www.apawood.org/publication-search?q=U813&tid=1

And while there I thought I'd check out SIPS, which the APA calls PSPs or plywood sandwich panels or some malcontent people in theatre call triscuits - a subset or PSPs IMHO. YMMV. Guide here: https://www.apawood.org/publication-search?q=U814&tid=1

Neither of these guides cater to the casual user, but they do present some pretty tried and tested design information.

PS (postscript): in case any of your were ISO (in search of) these
 
I admit that my use of stress skin may harken back to many late night, beverage enhanced chats with architecture students. Did you know that vehicle unibodies are also stressed skin panels. Also the wings of some early airplanes, not to be confused with monocoque systems. Then there are semi-monocoque with longerons.
 
Thanks for the suggestions! And yes, by "ISO" I meant 'In Search Of'....come on now. Also, we switched to plywood triscuits years ago and love them -- very handy and also a delicious healthy snack
 
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