The students will demonstrate their knowledge on the various pieces and parts of a stock platform and the steps in building one by taking a written quiz.
Materials Needed
Copies of Platform Quiz Platform QuizQuiz Key Powerpoint of overheads of 6 photographs and drawing of step legs Model of Platform
Lesson Directions
Anticipatory Set/Hook Prior to class take six pictures of groups of people. They will be paired for a total of three positions. One picture in each set will be taken with the subjects all on one level. The other picture will be the same setup but with different levels. (ex. 7 people all on one level verses 7 people on various levels). Put them on a power point so they can be shown to the class. (actual pictures used will be photographs, not drawings)
Hook: Project the six different pictures on a screen.
Instruction
Step 1: Ask the students which out of each set they find more pleasing to the eye. Why? (A-can’t see everyone B-can see everyone A-flat B-dimensional, etc.) -Explain to the students that platforms can be used in a set to help form the more pleasing “B” picture.
Step 2: Have a student come to the board and draw the frame of a flat. Tell the students that the frames of platforms are built much the same as the frames of flats.
Step 3: Frame -Erase the Corner Braces, Corner Blocks, Straps, and Half-Straps from the flat drawing. -Have another student come to the board and label the remaining parts (Rail, Stile, Toggles). -Tell the students these are the basic parts to a platform frame.
Step 4: Frame Lumber Take out a short piece of 2×4” lumber and a piece of cardboard (represents cover of platform). -Show the students that on a flat the 2×4” is placed with the 4” side against the cardboard. -Flip the lumber so that the 2” side is now against the cardboard. -Explain to the students that this is one of the major differences between the frame of a flat and that of a platform. -Show the students the stiles and rails on the model. Point out placement of 2×4”
Step 5: Toggles -Ask the students how far apart toggles are supposed to be on flats (every 3-6’). -Tell them that for platforms the toggles need to be ever 2’. -Ask the students if they have an 8×4’ platform how many toggles will they need? (3) What about a 14×5’? (6) -Tell the students that toggles are placed into the frame after the stiles and rails are screwed together.
Step 6: Lid -Tell the students that a typical wood used for the lid is ¾” plywood. This is a strong wood that will hold a lot of weight. -To connect the lid to the frame lay it on top of the frame. Connect one of the short sides with screws (screws should be about every one foot). Proceed clockwise and do one side at a time continually forcing the frame to fit the 3/4” ply. This will ensure that the platform is square. -When the perimeter of the lid is screwed to the frame insert screws on the toggles. -Glue is not needed
Step 7: Legging-Up Platforms -Explain to the students that stock platforms usually don’t have legs because this would make storage difficult. It is easy to add legs of varying heights, however. -Step legs are the most common method of legging up. -Show students drawing of step leg (on power point or overhead). -Point out on the picture that the step leg is bolted twice into the frame. -Explain to the students that the piece that extends past the bottom of the frame up to the cover does not actually touch the lid. -A ¼” gap is left. Ask them why they think it is done this way (prevents pressure on the lid that could disconnect it from the frame; the shorter piece of the step leg that rest against the bottom of the frame takes all the weight).
Step 8: Bracing Platforms -If a platform is higher than 12” is needs bracing. – Draw a front view of a platform on the board. -Add in two braces. -Explain to the students that these are connected on the legs and not the frame of the platform. -Show the students the step legs and bracing on the model platform
Step 9: Cut List -Have two students come up to the board and race creating a cut list for the stiles, rails, and toggles of a 4×8’ flat. (2 Rails @ 4’-0”, 2 Stiles @ 7’-5”, 1 Toggle @ 3’-5”). -Draw a platform on the board and label it as 4×10’. -Ask the students how many toggles it needs (4)? Draw those in. -Now ask the students to make a cut list for the platform (remind them that the 2×4” is placed with the 2” side against the lid and that the dimensions for 2×4” are really 1 ½ x 3 ½”).
Cut List 4×10’ Platform 2-Rails @ 4’-0” 2-Stiles @ 9’x9” 4-Toggles @ 3’x9” 1- ¾” plywood lid @ 4×10’
Step 10: Hand the quiz to the students and give them a few mins to take it. Correct together as a class and have them turn them in.
