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diy dance floors
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at_leo_87
Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A
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 RE: diy dance floors (in reply to Exitao)
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the hinges don't really get in the way. it's just the way hinges work, it makes one side slightly higher than the other. i compensated for this by alternating which side got the higher side. it's hard to explain. ideally the hinges should be on the bottom, not in between but it wouldn't be able to fold if it was on the bottom due to the rubber mats.
i used the shock absorbing mats so the board wouldn't slip, to protect the floor underneath, but most importantly, to give some shock absorption for the dancer's body, especially the knees. it's the next best thing when a dance studio with sprung floors isn't available.
the 1/2 inch plywood is actually really loud. we didn't even have to mic up the floor, it just bled into the microphones we used for guitar and palmas. so it's probably not suitable for practice actually, more for performance. i'm going to make another one with 1/4 wood and see if it's quieter.
the loudness of the wood combined with the shock absorption makes it a lot easier for the dancer to perform without getting tired.
i used a dab of gorilla glue for each of the little "puzzle" pieces. i'm sure any all purpose glue would work, it's just what i had.
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Date May 14 2010 22:47:02
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at_leo_87
Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A
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RE: diy dance floors (in reply to Exitao)
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i'm too lazy to get up and look at a door but i think i know what you're talking about now exitao. i'll check it out for future floors.
i have to think of an easier way to transport them. i think if i use velcro, i can section it into four pieces instead of only two.
i was going to use 3/4 but instead, chose 1/2 because the girl said she needed to carry it around a lot. i thought i was making a compromise between portability and strength but when we tested it out, found out that 1/2 inch is actually bordering overkill. the next one im making is for an older lady with bad knees, so i'm going to try 1/4.
for the big one, i used a 4x8 sheet and cut it down to two 2x6 strips making the whole dance floor 4x6. the small ones are 3x4 which is plenty for practice, i think. it's much larger than other commercial dance floors (which are usually made for tap and are way too weak).
lauren has one bad knee. while she dances on it, she doesn't notice any pain. she doesn't like doing footwork too loud because it's too much for her knee but with this board, i was almost having a little difficulty keeping up with her.
another dancer told me that this board exaggerates all the sound of the feet so it makes it sound like she's better than she actually is. so that's why i think it might not be good for practice but more for performance. i hope the 1/4 won't be as loud.
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Date May 15 2010 4:33:37
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at_leo_87
Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A
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RE: diy dance floors (in reply to veet)
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cool suggestions, veet. thanks!
i don't know about a harder material though. plywood is as hard it is. we have to factor in ergonomics.
we just did a show yesterday with the 1/2 dance floor and the sound filled up the auditorium and was louder than the guitar amp.
i also finished the 1/4 one. we haven't tested it yet but i bet it's going to be just fine. now i got some tap dancers interested in buying one.
mark,
i got the rubber things here. i think they're really necessary. i hear a lot of stories about dancers having to get knee surgery and having to give up altogether because of knee problems.
http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2927171&cp=3077568.3077629.2049960.714802&parentPage=family
it's 12mm thick and covers 12 sq. ft. these things come in various sizes, prices, and thicknesses. check with your local sports store.
i used four hinges to connect them. but hinges come apart, and i'm starting to think velcro is a much better option.
for the edges, exitao is correct, i used a router. if you want to waste time and give your arms a work out, you can just use a sanding block and sandpaper.
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Date May 18 2010 7:32:21
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cathulu
Posts: 950
Joined: Dec. 15 2006
From: Vancouver, Canukistan
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RE: diy dance floors (in reply to at_leo_87)
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OK, here is another DIY floor using Ikea "Tundra" floor - a cheap laminate, but the strongest most durable laminate flooring they sell. I glued it with contact cement to a 1/4" hardboard. I used a table saw and a circular saw to trim the edges. Both pieces are about 2 feet by 4 feet. From one package of Tundra flooring, I have enough left over to make another 2 feet by 4 feet section.
My plan is to join it together with Velcro as Anthony suggested.
I didn't bother with a bottom pad because my wife practices on a carpet, and for the fact of the fatal flaw...
The fatal flaw: The Ikea flooring cannot take the nails on the bottom of flamenco shoes and it chips - as there is no real wood, it will look awful in no time. My wife will tape the bottom of her shoes to use it. I will take a photo of my wife and I using it one day soon... :)
But as a proof of concept, it works very well. I think my next floor will be the same concept, except I will use a hardwood floor, probably 1/4" of wood on laminate to keep it light, it will be plenty durable then, it will get dented and marked but at least it will be all wood on the surface.
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Date May 18 2010 18:58:33
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