I am about to start work on a jail cell. This will be a box probably 3x3 base and top, and maybe 4 feet tall. My question for you guys is what is the best way to attach the 4 sides (Frames with bars)such that the thing can be easily broken down into six flat pieces. (Not counting wheels on the bottom) Any and all opinions and experiences are welcome.

I would also welcome ideas on how to paint it that will give it a dark iron bar sort of quality and make it look more formidable than it is.

Ah, the Paris Hilton Illusion... Very good choice!

Are you doing the cell walls AND bars? Or is it cell bars all the way around?

Use Cast Iron Paint for the bars. It'll look like the real deal!

Cast Iron Paint:
http://www.madvet.com/shop?frame=1.39.657

Fleckstone makes some really realistic stone textured paint for the walls:
http://www.robscott.com/fleckmain.htm



Lyndel

Mostly it will be bars, but there will be a solid area surrounding the lock. I will probably build simple frames and use a fostner bit to entrench the bars into the top and bottom section. Then glue them in place.

Thanks for the painting tip.

Sounds like the simplest way of fixing it together would be using pin hinges - an ordinary butt hinge with the pin removed and a smaller diameter loose pin in it's place. Probably an old-fashioned method now, maybe someone can suggest something else?

I still use the old reliable removable pin hinge myself when I want my larger stuff to come apart, but be held together securely when in operation. I've used them on smaller box illusions like a doll house, and on 8 foot high scenery flats, with equal success.

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't a pin hinge defeat the purpose of an examinable excape cell? I'm thinking bolting it together would be best.....my humble opinion!

Adam

Hmmm, Cliff didn't actually indicate that this was an escape effect that he's working on...


Lyndel

It is an escape effect, and the point of the cell is that I must defeat a lock I cannot see and can barely reach to make the escape. I would like to avoid hinge technology in favor of a more formidable look, but I am worried about the effect of bolting and unbolting every time I want to perform. There has to be a way to do this that is secure, but will not weaken with each use. I would like to invite a spectator into the cell for an examination and a little shake of the bars before the stunt.

Sorry I wasn't more clear before.

You might have a look at some of the knock-down hardware available at Rockler or any of the larger woodworking stores.