It was a great success but we wanted MORE. Among other major new projects for this year, we're turning the mine shaft into a mammoth 20x20 enclosed mine - complete with zig-zagging passageways and a secret passage that an actor will be hiding inside - with multiple hidden panels he can use to catch passing TOTs.
I created the mine shaft design several weeks ago so that we could make up our shopping list of supplies we'll need as well as to have detailed measurements for the components I need to build. The first component I'm working on is the hidden passageway.
You can see the design drawing and most of the progress so far at the Haunted Mine Shaft v2 project page.
One of the truly unique aspects of this build is the materials we chose. Instead of the standard 2x4 framing we wanted something that was:
- Lightweight
- Wouldn't rust or warp
- Easy to assemble and disassemble
- Minimizes storage space
We chose 2" PVC pipe! Bolted to that frame are the 1/4" thick plywood panels. By standardizing the locations of the mounting holes and sizes of the pipe segments, the passageway will easily disassemble into a stack of pipes and a stack of plywood panels less than 2" thick!
Check out the project page to see how it's coming along. As of this past weekend I have almost the entire frame assembled and screwed together, all the panels painted, and the end panel bolted to the first two side panels - with two other panels dry fitted in place awaiting the rest of the bolts.
Tonight just before I wrote this I spent some time researching drop panels - which will be next weekend's project - along with hopefully finishing up the assembly of the passageway. Our first test of how easy it is to take apart will come shortly thereafter as I need to take it apart (I put it together in our basement) so I can make room for the other projects... Then I'll have helpers help put it back together later this summer in the back yard as we begin setting up for real!
-Creepy Chris
No comments:
Post a Comment