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The most common practical unit of scenery is the platform.
There are many ways to build platforms, but the way we are going to build this platform
is probably the most common.
We're going to build a 4 foot by 8 foot standard platform. When you need to build different
sizes and shapes, simply cut the plywood to the desired shape and build like we're going
to build this platform.
You'll need a full sheet of 3/4" B/C plywood, or C/D if you want to save a few bucks. Five
two by four by eight foot pieces of white pine, some 2 1/2" and some 1 5/8" drywall
screws.
If a platform is going to take a lot of weight, or is going to be an extra tall platform,
use 2 by 6 or even 2 by 8 framing for extra strength.
Cut one of the 2 by4 s into four foot pieces.
Check your measurements.
Then lay out the two four foot sections at the end of the plywood and push the full eight
foot pieces up against them.
Put the tape measure over the top edge of the four foot sections and mark the long 2
by 4s at eight feet and cut them.
What you're doing here is allowing for the width of the four foot pieces at the ends
of the platform.
Your long pieces should measure very close to seven feet, nine inches.
Lay out the pieces on the top of the plywood and make sure they fit exactly.
Then pre-drill holes in the 2 by 4s and join them together with the 2 1/2" drywall screws.
The pre-drilling helps keep the wood from splitting.
Put the good side of the plywood facing up on the frame you just built and line it up
precisely with the frame.
This is very important because you will probably be pushing platforms up against platforms.
And it's important that there are no gaps or areas where plywood are hanging over the
platforms.
Once you're sure all the sides line up, use inch and 5/8" drywall screws to secure the
plywood to the frame. Put the screws in about every six to eight inches.
This is where you can adjust the 2 by 4s to run right along the edge of the plywood if
the 2 by 4s happen to have a little warp to them.
Flip the platform face down, and measure, cut and put in three supports at two feet
center from each end, and at the center