Technical Design Solutions for Theatre

A Laminated Plywood Turntable

Thomas P. Sulkvan

 

Traditional turntable designs cause some difficult problems for technical directors. Accuracy in making the beveled cuts required for their framing is time-consuming and chancy, and the resulting joints often creak and groan. In addition, because the casters move across the floor below, running power or control cables to the pivot is difficult; and debris and dirt on the floor itself make the turntable’s movement bumpy and noisy.

One way to address these problems is to eliminate their causes. A frameless turntable can be built more quickly, for instance, and if the casters are attached, inverted, to the floor, nothing under the turntable can interfere with their smooth and quiet operation. ...