| Item | Common Usage | Standard Sizes | Pros | Cons | Possible Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common Nail | Platform frames & decking | 4d, 6d, 8d, 10d, 16d | Strong, easy to put in. Inexpensive tool needed to install. | Hard to take out, will pull loose. | .75¢/lb. (50-100) |
| Box Nail | Platform decking & smaller projects | 6d, 8d | Won't split wood as easy as common nail. | Bends easier & is not as strong as common nail. | .75¢/lb. (150-225) |
| Finish Nail | Finish woodwork | 4d, 6d | Least likely nail to split wood. Head virtually invisible. | Weak, bends very easily. Usually not necessary in scenic construction. | $1.10/lb. (300-575) |
| Duplex Nail | Temporary joining | 8d, 16d | Easy to put in & take out. As strong as common nail. | Can't be used where someone might trip or catch a costume on it. | $1.29/lb. (50-100) |
| Drywall Screw | Platform decking, flat frames | 1", 1-1/4", 1-5/8", 2", 2-1/2", 3" |
Will not work loose like nails. Relatively easy to insert w/ practice. | Breaks easily. Requires expensive tool to insert. | $4.10/lb. |
| Pneumatic Nails | Platform frames & decking | 8d, 12d | Quick & easy to insert. Holds tighter than common nails of equal length. | Requires very expensive equipment to install. Very hard to remove. | $50 per 3000 |
| Pneumatic Staples | Platform bracing, flat frames | 7/8", 1-1/2" | Quick & easy to insert. Holds tighter than nails of equal length. | Requires very expensive equipment to install. Very hard/annoying to remove. | $76 per 14,000 |
| Carriage Bolt (with washer/nut) |
Platform legging & attachment | 3/8" x 3-1/2" 3/8" x 4" |
Very strong. | Time consuming to install. Requires expensive tool to insert. May need to install from underneath deck. | .95¢ ea. |
| Coffin Locks | Platform attachment | n/a | Holds very strong. Once installed, attaches platforms in seconds. | Extremely time consuming to initially install. | $3.70 ea. |
| C-Clamps | Platform attachment | 4" | Attaches platforms quicker than carriage bolts. | Person must be able to get underneath platform to attach. Attachment is not as reliable as bolts or coffin locks. | $5.59 ea. |
| 1x2 Pine | Diagonal bracing in flats | n/a | Two pieces can be ripped out of one 1x4. | Difficult to purchase without ripping, too weak for most other uses. | see 1x4 |
| 1x3 Pine | Platform bracing, flat frames | 8', 12', 16' | Lighter (about .46 lbs./ft.) than 1x4. | Usually has to be ripped out of 1x12 (yields 4 pieces). Ripped pieces are more likely to have large knots crossing a significant portion of their width (resulting in weak, flawed pieces) requiring you to order more than mathematically necessary for contingency purposes. | (1x12 cost:) $1.80/ft. |
| 1x4 Pine | Platform bracing, flat frames | 8', 12', 16' | Stronger than 1x3. (Most noticable over longer lengths) | Heavier (about .64 lbs./ft.) than 1x3. | .55¢/ft. |
| 2x4 Spruce | Platform framing & legging | 8', 12', 16' | Significantly stronger than 1 x Stock. | Warps rather easily (even as early as within 24 hours). Heavier (about 1.28 lbs./ft.) than 1 x Stock. | .40¢/ft. |
| 1/4" Plywood | Flat covering, platform facing, profile cut outs | 4'x8' sheets | Cuts cleaner (fewer splinters) than Lauan. Light weight (about 26 lbs./sheet). | Warps very easily. Face grain is very hard to hide with just paint. Rarely stocked in lumber yards anymore. | $17.05 |
| 3/4" Plywood | Platform decking | 4'x8' sheets | Strong. Easily purchased in either AC or CDX grades. | Heavy (about 70 lbs./sheet). Will warp. | $35.45 & $26.10 |
| 1/4" Lauan | Flat covering, platform facing, profile cut outs | 4'x8' sheets | Looks as nice as or nicer than AC grade 1/4" ply and paints much easier (face grain less visible). | Not quite 1/4" thick (.52mm). Some sheets are a product of rain forest destruction (clarify before ordering). | $11.59 |
| Unbleached Muslin | Flat covering, backdrops | 72" wide 80" wide 120" wide |
Easy to paint on and to sew. | Not as durable as canvas. Must be purchased as "flame retardant" or must purchase chemical to make it so. Both options cost more than prices listed. | $4.14/yd. $4.37/yd. $5.95/yd. |
| Canvas | Flat covering, backdrops | 72" wide 120" wide |
Very durable. Very easy to paint on. | Tougher to sew (barely) & stretch tight than muslin. Must be purchased as "flame retardant" or must purchase chemical to do so. Both options cost more than prices listed. | $8.20/yd. $19.20/yd. |
NOTE: ALL PRICES HAVE BEEN LOOSELY RESEARCHED AND ARE VERY SUBJECT TO CHANGE. THIS CHART IS MEANT TO BE USED AS A GUIDELINE NOT AS A LIST OF FACT.