It seems that D - even with his computer woes - has beaten me to the topic, but this is more about the nuts and bolts of it.
I started out with double plywood & screws, then moved on to Masonite tops and papertape joints and more recently gone with plastic (Centrex) and Teflon tape.
I was talking to a plastic supplier recently about what are my choices were and he rhymed off a bunch of stuff - as he didn't carry Centrex, and it got me to wondering what people are using?
Hey D - think you can "borrow" a new computer from Set Dec or your Video Playback guys?
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OK. I just got my computer back from the shop. They said I had a bad power supply and replaced it. I'm waiting to see if it holds up. I'm Centrex and 2" elecrical tape. Or the blue paper tape that set dressers use.
What is the Generic name for Centrex? I still use masonite and would love an alternative. Fed up with fraying edges.
Komotex was another name that was given to me. If you call a local plastics supplier they should be able to help you out. Just be forewarned, it is a magnet for static electricity and dust. Add Swifer sheets and a can of Static Guard to your kit.
The other minor thing, depending on where you work, if it's cold, then the edges will be brittle, then you do have to baby the sheets a bit, but easy to deal with.
i believe Sintra is also a generic name Centrex is known by
Sintra is the what I know the plastic as. It's technically a dense pvc foam core sheet. My layout is usually ply + sintra + blue paper tape.
I've never thought to USE 2" electrical tape. Do you recommend it over paper tape?
I only know the plastic as Centra which also comes in white if your DP thinks that a little floor kick is a nice touch, but it does get dirty quick. I use the low-tac blue paper tape, but when I did a movie in Rhode Island last year the other dolly grip used 2" electrical tape and swore that it worked better in the colder weather. Either way it was a nice alternative and seemed to hold better. It is very expensive though.
I prefer Lexan when it's available, and after that I will take Masonite. I prefer 2" vinyl (electrical) tape, but generally I will take whatever is closest by that does the job.
-DW
I like lexan as well. But it is really expensive in India, and I feel bad shoving it down productions throat if I have an alternative. It is imported into India and costs about 12 times what Masonite costs, so I find it hard to justify it to production. I was wondering if Centrex was cheaper than Lexan.
i like masonite it is cheap and can be recycled after the edges fray or get angled from the constant grinding on the floor just trim an inch off of each edge and you are good to go.
it kind of helps having your topshheet a little smaller than your ply. it doesn't have to line up precisely leading to better edges when getting on and off
as far as white topshheets i remember a d.p freaking out at me for brnging a giant bounce on set. not a good idea
No, white Centrex is strictly a DP request. I did a movie last year and the DP, Oliver Stapleton, wanted both black and white, so we carried both, but ended up using the white the most. The beauty of Centrex is its durability. If you take care of it, you can use it for a while and the moves are like glass. Thanks for the comments and welcome!
D
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