Horoscope Fish
Senior Member
So today I assembled my own portable backdrop frame. I've been wanting something light, portable and inexpensive for a long time and I've just not been satisfied with what I've seen on the market. After watching several videos of people constructing backdrops out of PVC pipe, I came up with my own plan for a "hybrid" frame, combining what I thought were the best aspects of several different designs. After a little careful tinkering I came up with a design that uses exactly 40' of 3/4" PVC pipe, meaning there is no wasted pipe when you're done. When complete the frame stands 7 feet tall and 6 feet wide but breaks down into pieces that are no longer than 42 inches. When assembled the frame has both a vertical and a horizontal cross-support (niiiiiiice!). With two sand bags on the feet it's surprisingly stable. It does wobble if it's pushed but it never even came close to tipping over, even on carpet, when we tested it. Cost of materials was about $30 at Home Depot, but a PVC pipe-cutter will set you back another $15 or so, if you need one. Someone at Home Depot might make the cuts for you, if you ask, but around here the typical Home Depot employee knows less than I do about whatever it is I'm doing (which is typically next to nothing) so today I simply took home my four, ten-foot lengths and did the cutting myself.
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Here's an example of your typical PVC backdrop frame, just to give you an idea of what's being built:
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My design starts with this basic frame but adds a third vertical support that runs up the center, a third foot on that center support and better-designed, more stable feet overall.
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For backdrop material I don't use paper or vinyl any more. The rolls those backgrounds come on are unwieldy and heavy, and the keyword for me on this project is portable. So... I've been using faux suede from Amazon. It comes 60 inches wide (five feet) and sells for about $7 a yard. Another material that works well is Velour; it's a little more expensive at about $8 a yard but very nice to work with. I typically get lengths of four or five yards. I use these fabrics in particular because they look fantastic, can be had in black, white and grey as well as nice colors. Both materials are machine washable, durable, and don't wrinkle easily, even when left folded for days at a time... That last point is hugely important for me because screw fabric-steamers. Seriously. I'm DONE with trying to steam out wrinkles on-set.
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You'll also need clamps. They're available everywhere... Home Depot, Lowes, B&H, Amazon, etc. Link goes to the ones I use, I think. They're nothing special.
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Putting everything together is stupid simple; I mean it's a rectangle with a central, "+" shaped, cross-support for Pete's sake. What I do is this: First I assemble the feet, then I assemble the rectangular frame flat on the floor. I then attach the feet to the bottom and clamp the fabric to the top of the frame before lifting the completed frame upright and onto its feet. I then sandbag the two, outermost feet. This process takes about three minutes from start to finish. The only dodgy point might be how to assemble the feet themselves, so I've included photos of all three. The three vertical supports fit into the corresponding empty Tee-connectors (duh).
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If anyone needs help with specifics, I'm more than happy to help; just post or PM. Can't take photos of the assembled frame right this second but I can add those later if needed.
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Shopping List:
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Here are the fourteen, six-inch sections that assemble into the feet of the backdrop frame using seven tee-shaped connectors:
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When assembled, there will be two "end-feet" and one center-foot. There are three vertical supports and those supports fit into the top end of the tee-connectors on each foot:
.....
.....
Here's an example of your typical PVC backdrop frame, just to give you an idea of what's being built:
.....
.....
My design starts with this basic frame but adds a third vertical support that runs up the center, a third foot on that center support and better-designed, more stable feet overall.
.....
For backdrop material I don't use paper or vinyl any more. The rolls those backgrounds come on are unwieldy and heavy, and the keyword for me on this project is portable. So... I've been using faux suede from Amazon. It comes 60 inches wide (five feet) and sells for about $7 a yard. Another material that works well is Velour; it's a little more expensive at about $8 a yard but very nice to work with. I typically get lengths of four or five yards. I use these fabrics in particular because they look fantastic, can be had in black, white and grey as well as nice colors. Both materials are machine washable, durable, and don't wrinkle easily, even when left folded for days at a time... That last point is hugely important for me because screw fabric-steamers. Seriously. I'm DONE with trying to steam out wrinkles on-set.
.....
You'll also need clamps. They're available everywhere... Home Depot, Lowes, B&H, Amazon, etc. Link goes to the ones I use, I think. They're nothing special.
.....
Putting everything together is stupid simple; I mean it's a rectangle with a central, "+" shaped, cross-support for Pete's sake. What I do is this: First I assemble the feet, then I assemble the rectangular frame flat on the floor. I then attach the feet to the bottom and clamp the fabric to the top of the frame before lifting the completed frame upright and onto its feet. I then sandbag the two, outermost feet. This process takes about three minutes from start to finish. The only dodgy point might be how to assemble the feet themselves, so I've included photos of all three. The three vertical supports fit into the corresponding empty Tee-connectors (duh).
.....
If anyone needs help with specifics, I'm more than happy to help; just post or PM. Can't take photos of the assembled frame right this second but I can add those later if needed.
.....
Shopping List:
- 10 - Tee shaped connectors
- 10 - 3/4" End caps (optional, but they do look nice)
- 4 - Ten-foot sections of 3/4" PVC Pipe (Schedule 40 (see Final Note, below))
- 2 - Elbow shaped connectors
- 1 - Four-way connector (+ shaped)
- 14 - Six-inch sections (these will assemble into the "feet" (see photos))
- 6 - 3 1/2 foot sections (these form the three vertical supports, spaced equidistant)
- 4 - 3 foot sections (these form the two horizontal supports, middle and top)
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Here are the fourteen, six-inch sections that assemble into the feet of the backdrop frame using seven tee-shaped connectors:
.....
.....
.....
When assembled, there will be two "end-feet" and one center-foot. There are three vertical supports and those supports fit into the top end of the tee-connectors on each foot:
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