Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Question about Pedestal weight

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Posted by Sam Hunter (Member # 1119) on 05-13-2003, 11:13 PM:

How much does a 4 point RCA pedestal weigh and do they break apart? I am picking one up next week and my helper has decided he would be better served elsewhere and it looks like I am on my own.
Thanks.

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 05-13-2003, 11:53 PM:

Sam, if the pedistal is the one that slants forward, (BX-10) it is made of cast iron and weighs about 450 lbs. It does come apart. 4 huge bolts hold the base plate on, and the big pin has to be removed if you want to remove the lamp table. That, in itself, must weigh at least 250 lbs.

Here is a picture of us unloading one of those from Josh's Dad's van. We needed an engine hoist to do it.

Dismantling it is a real pain because the damn thing is so heavy.

Posted by Robert Golding (Member # 746) on 05-13-2003, 11:58 PM:

When I closed down the Redding Drive In, in redding, cal. I found out just how heavy they really are. This dive in had a projection room set 8 ft. below ground level and getting that thing out was a real pain in butt. I still have it (why?) and hope to never have to move it out of storage.

Posted by John Westlund (Member # 913) on 05-14-2003, 12:03 AM:

A little off topic but Robert, when was the drive in in Redding closed? I live 50 miles east or Redding in Burney. I remember hearing about it but im only 18 so I have never been there. Do you have any info about it?
John

Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 05-14-2003, 03:11 AM:

Sam you'll be fine by yourself, that is as long as you bring your three strongest friends along. [Smile]

Posted by Sam Hunter (Member # 1119) on 05-14-2003, 06:41 AM:

Here is a photo of a pedestale like the one I am getting.

Don't know if it makes a whole lot of difference weight wise but I need to get it.

Thanks!

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 05-14-2003, 08:54 AM:

Sam,
You can disassemble it and move the pieces(chunks) yourself easily. I use them for my rental equipment and tear them down to move it in myself if necessary. Weight is in the 175 to 225 lbs region....nothing like the 500 lb. honker RCA base in Paul's shot. Those bases I usually bust up on site with a sledge hammer and let the kiddies haul the chunks out to the dumpster.
Breifly, Take off the four bolts at the top of the base and lift off the top casting assy...this is the heaviest part so hopefully your tall enough to lift high enough to get the elevation screw past the sheet metal. Then lift the sheet metal off, and then you can remove the long threaded rods from the base casting. Haul the parts out seperately.

In leiu of all this get a furniture dolly with tie down straps Tighten it down on the dolly and move it out of the booth/building its in. This'll work fine unless the stairs are really bad..... When you get to the car have some heavy cardboard ready on the tailgate....lay the base sideways against the tailgate/cardboard and slide it into the van. Keep in mind that these bases typically have little value, $50.00 to $100.00, in as-is condition. Most dealers would refurbish one before selling it.
Mark

Posted by Sam Hunter (Member # 1119) on 05-14-2003, 10:02 AM:

Thanks Mark [thumbsup]

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 05-14-2003, 02:47 PM:

That pedistal you are getting is easy to handle. Yourself, with the help of a friend won't have too much trouble moving it.

Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 05-14-2003, 03:29 PM:

I moved a pair of those by myself in '60. Of course I was only 28 at the time.

Posted by Jon Miller (Member # 163) on 05-14-2003, 07:25 PM:

Sam,

Compared to any one of the three subassemlies comprising a Simplex "Heavy Duty" pedestal, those RCA pedestals are a piece of cake! Been there, done that, avoided getting a hernia! [Smile]

Last summer I picked up two RCA pedestals of the same type as the one you are interested in; they're an easy two-person heave-ho into the back of a pickup truck to transport upright.

If you must move your prospective pedestal solo and you have the use of a pickup with a low bed, you could position the pedestal parallel to the tailgate, then lift and pivot the pedestal flat onto the bed. However, this method may scratch the tailgate, bed, and/or back of the pedestal.

Posted by Sam Hunter (Member # 1119) on 05-14-2003, 07:30 PM:

I will be on my lonesome so I will dismantle as much as possible and use a hand truck to move it.

Posted by John Anastasio (Member # 607) on 05-14-2003, 08:14 PM:

That's the same pedestal I have, Sam. My brother and I moved it into the basement screening room without even pulling it apart. Once you get the heavy top off, it's just a bunch of sheet metal sitting on a baseplate.

Posted by Robert Golding (Member # 746) on 05-14-2003, 10:02 PM:

John
I tried to resurrect the old Redding Drive In, in 1990. I had quit a bit of trouble because of the previous people who had run it into the ground. After three years, we closed it in Oct 1993. I believe it's been torn down and a school was built. It use to sit on the miracle mile next to the sacramento river. I brought everything back to Marysville even thought most of it was outdated. I have both of the Simplex SL,s at my drive in. They are in tip top shape and have the curved gates for water cooling. Hope this helps you and if you are ever down my way, be sure to stop in and say hi.

Posted by Sam Hunter (Member # 1119) on 05-21-2003, 05:53 PM:

Ok, I picked up my pedestal today and it wasn't too bad. Had to remove a ton of junk laying on top but the thing came apart easily and I was able to load it by myself.
The only problem is that it apparently has a Simplex mount on it X-2180. I need the RCA mounting bracket (See WTB Post).

I also picked up this cool amp.

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 05-21-2003, 08:22 PM:

Ummmm.....what soundhead are you using? I thought it was a RCA 1040 or a 1050. Those have the same bolt pattern as the Simplex SH-1000's.

If you are running a 9030 or a 9050, then you need the wide pattern. You should be able to get those from Wolk.

Posted by Sam Hunter (Member # 1119) on 05-21-2003, 08:27 PM:

Hey Paul, I have the 9030 soundhead.
Of all folks I would have thought you would have one Paul [Wink]

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 05-21-2003, 10:39 PM:

HAH! I gave most of my junk to Josh so he could trip over it instead of me. [Smile]

Posted by Sam Hunter (Member # 1119) on 05-22-2003, 09:43 PM:

I ordered an adapter plate from Wolk today.
Here is a shot of the pedestal in my new project.

[ 05-23-2003, 10:07 PM: Message edited by: Sam Hunter ]