Fastening Backdrops

[northern_blues]

What techniques can I use to fasten a backdrop (1/8" masonite - 24" height) that is going to be the background to a blob or dogbone at one end of my layout. The dogbone is freestanding and the backdrop must be affixed to the dogbone perimeter. Benchwork is L-girder with 1X3 joists.

I did see a picture of one layout that had PVC pipes in a floor to ceiling length bolted vertically at various points around the back of the peninsula. Then it was a matter of bolting the masonite to the PVC after drilling out holes in the PVC.

What sayest thou?

-Dave

[CJ Martin]

I'm in the process of doing this very thing.

Like you, I'm using 1/8 masonite. Unlike you, my layout is an around the walls design. I've run 1 x 2's vertically along the wall on 16" centers. At first, I only used drywall screws top and bottom to hold the masonite up. I've gone back now and glued the masonite to the 1x2's, mostly at the ends. I did this because there was a bit of flex in the masonite and I am trying to minimize cracking at the joints later. Got the first three sheets up and joints spackled with vinyl spackle - so far so good.

I would have used plastic sheets if they were available in my area but the masonite is nice and cheap, and so far not too bad to work with.

-CJ

[northern_blues]

How high is your backdrop, CJ?

Ok, vinyl spackle, good. I'm off to home depot. I haven't actually purchased the masonite yet but I wanted to get a system to attach it to the benchwork first.

[CJ Martin]

QUOTE: Originally posted by northern_blues

How high is your backdrop, CJ?

It will vary, but the part I'm putting up now is 30". That seems high, but that is because I wanted the top of the backdrops to be at the same height. Thus they are 30" at the layouts lowest point, and will be 22" high at the high point (8" change in grade). Also the backdrop extends below the 2" foam (the plan is to glue the foam to the backdrop along the back edge ), so only about 28" of the 30" backdrops will be visable.

Clear as mud?

-CJ

[Anonymous]

Is you guys layout around the wall or is the back accessible? If it is accessible I would reccommend that you take the backdrop and then take a piece of 1 x 3' wood and screw it to the back of the layout and backdrop. It is so that you do not have to screw the screws straight through the backdrop and then they may go right thru. It also makes for more support. Then I took a piece of 1 x 3' and made it vertical to support it from bending back. It is pretty hard to describe right I think. If one of you are interested I will take pictures and display what I have done and how easy it is.

[northern_blues]

Biggie, about 8 feet of the layout is in this little alcove where I can't fasten it to the wall so it is back accessible.

The main line goes into this alcove and makes a big 180 degree turn and so the back of the layout is a big sweeping curve and I need the masonite to follow the big sweeping curve as well but I want it to be strong.

I bought some 2X2"s on the weekend instead of PVC or plastic pipe. I am going to screw vertical 2X2"s to the 1X3 joists that I am using to support my foam layout.

My problem is that you need to affix vertical supports in two places to not wobble. I suppose I could nail or screw the 2X2 to a short piece of 2X4 on the floor. It just seems messy.

CJ, nope, I got it. My backdrop is 24". I only have 5' 10" of height in the basement anyway so the backdrop will take it just about to the ceiling. I will use a valance to hide the difference between the top of the backdrop and the ceiling joists, which are a little uneven due to the age of my century house.