Set building

[braininabox]

I need some design help for a certain set. A need to build a white room where the side walls can slide in towards the center and back again. The material has to be strong enough to push furniture and other household items. It would be a big bonus if all the parts could be assembled and disassembled quickly so it would be easier to store and transport. Any advice on materials, blueprints, or anything else would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Rich]

A set? You mean like a movie set? There are many types of curtain walls that run on tracks or hang from above. I'm even pretty sure there are motorized options available - which I assume you would want if you are going to push furniture with it.

[braininabox]

This is a very rough diagram of what I am thinking about:


http://www.freewebs.com/braininabox/wall.JPG


The base being about 10X10. Do you have any idea of what type of material for the walls I should use? (It has to be painted) Do you know where I can buy these tracks? Money is not really a big issue here.

[Rich]

Here's a listing of many different manufacturers of operable partition walls
http://www.arcat.com/divs/sec/sec10650.cfm
Most partition walls are pretty heavy duty and can accept about any type of finish from drywall to fabric.

[braininabox]

Thanks a lot! Do the tracks go on top, in, or below the floor?

[Rich]

It depends on what system you get.. some are hanging and others have tracks.
The floor can be built flush with the tracks so they can be hidden... pretty much the same with the ceiling tracks.

[braininabox]

So what would be your estimate of how much this would cost:

1) One plywood and drywall painted wall,
2) One plywood and drywall painted floor,
3) Two partition walls and tracks,
4) One drywall cieling
(All mounted somehow)

Or what should I make the floor out of seeing that it will have tracks running through it. I think the "cieling" is going to be more like a painted lid, that way I can get higher angle shots. (I could use it as the fourth wall when doing high-angle shots with the "lid" off). Im trying to talk with people that know a lot about construction so I can learn a little about it.


Any ideas how to mount it?


Sorry I guess I have a lot of questions here. Oh well, I guess this is how the learning process goes.

[Rich]

The floor could be something as simple as 2x4's on edge or maybe even 2x2's depending on the depth of the tracks. As far as mounting the floor tracks I would say it would be easiest to attach 2 members on each side of it with a reveal that matches the thickness of the plywood so it will all flush up when it's complete. As for ceiling tracks - it'll depend on what the manufacturer requires for the stability of the system.. it may be difficult with a removeable lid.
Cost of the whole system I would guess at around 15000 with the motorized panels. This is a total WAG number by the way.

[braininabox]

How much difference would the cost be if the panels weren't motorized? (Just wheels on a track; push inward manually)

[Rich]

You could probably save 5000 or more. Again this is only a guess.. operable partitions might be quite a bit cheaper than what I'm thinking.

[braininabox]

In all reality, these things dont even have to be real partition walls. What do you say about just mounting wheels to the bottom of the drywall+plywood wall and buying cheap hardware store tracks?

[Rich]

Do a search for torsion panels on google. It may be difficult to make one that big - but the principles will help in building it light and strong. As far as the tracks I would think you could find some heavy duty ones at a farm and ranch store. Put some type of runners on each end of the wall (that come with the tracks) and you should be in business.

[braininabox]

I could only find 1220mmX1400mm torsion panels. Not big enough...

If I painted the tracks would blend in with the floor?

[braininabox]

If I just used the farm/ranch track and wheels, and had drywall mounted on wood framing, could you help me make blueprints?


Also, do you know of any stain-resistant paint? I dont want to get dirt marks all over the floor. (Theyre painted white). Or do you use some type of sealer for this job...? Anyway thanks for the help youve already given me.