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How to Build a Stage Stand

The purpose of a stage stand is to hold an object that is on stage efficiently and safely. Stage stands are designed in a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate equipment used by performers, actors and others on-stage. You can build a music conductor̵7;s stage stand to hold sheet music vertically that also allows for height differences. Supplies from a hardware store and a camera store will be needed, as will tools that are common to homes, offices and performance venues.

Things You'll Need

Tripod
Spirit level
Pliers
Bonding glue
Lecturn
Sheet music

Instructions

- 1
  Rotate the rubber foot on the bottom of each of the three tripod legs counterclockwise. Continue to do this until the spike in the center of each foot disappears. Loosen the tabs on the sides of each of the tripod legs. Pull the telescoping rod out of each leg as far as it will go. Tighten the tabs.
- 2
  Rotate the two rods attached to the side of the platform at the top of the tripod counterclockwise. Continue to do this until the platform can be freely moved forward and back and angled left or right. Arrange the platform so that it appears level to the eye. Rotate each rod clockwise until you feel resistance.
- 3
  Place a spirit level on the platform horizontally. Loosen the rod that allows the platform to be angled. Angle the platform until the bubble on the level is centered between the two imprinted lines. Tighten the rod clockwise until you feel resistance.
- 4
  Place the level vertically on the platform. Loosen the other rod by rotating it counterclockwise. Position the platform so that the bubble is centered. Tighten the cord clockwise until you feel resistance.
- 5
  Grip the end of the screw on the top of the platform with the jaws of a pliers. Twist the pliers until the screw breaks off. Apply bonding glue to the corners edges, center and along the sides and top and bottom of the platform. Hold the lectern so that the tabbed side is facing you. Place the lectern on the platform. Press the lectern against the platform and hold it there for two minutes. Let the glue set overnight.
- 6
  Place sheet music on the lectern that is now a part of your homemade stage stand. Place the stage stand on the floor where the conductor will be standing.
- 7
  Have a person of the same height as the conductor stand in front of your stand. Loosen the tabs on each leg and push the telescoping rods back inside the legs until the sheet music is about even with the person's waist. Tighten the tabs Place the level horizontally against the top edge of the lectern and level the stand in the same manner as was done earlier. Repeat the leveling, only with the level placed vertically against the top edge.

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