Boatbuilders are sometimes called on to make theatrical scenery, and theater stagecraft “techies” are sometimes drawn to boats. In the spirit of supporting my colleagues in both vocations, I offer some ideas from the theater world for moving big stuff in the shop.
As with boatbuilding shops, there never seems to be enough space in theater settings. The most important requirement is that “the thing”—whether it’s a tablesaw, a set of boat molds, or scenery—gets placed exactly where you want it (“on spike” in theater jargon), and when it is in position it needs to be absolutely secure, without wobbling during use.