HELP! Stompbox slides on wood floor!

Subject: HELP! Stompbox slides on wood floor!
From: Spartacus
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 12:06 PM

Hello all.
   I recently built a stompbox. (a wood box w/a mic in it; I run it through the board, and tap my foot on it during performances, it makes a kick drum like noise, or a rim shot, depending on where i tap)
It allows for alot more dynamics in my guitar work. I'm having one problem.....it slides a 1/16th of an inch everytime i tap it. Especially on wood floors. I screwed a couple of rubber pads to the bottom, and it slowed it down some, but by the end of a song, I'll be off of the stage if I follow it. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Spartacus

Subject: RE: HELP! Stompbox slides on wood floor!
From: DonMeixner
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 12:19 PM

The world of disability access uses a product called Dicem to stop china, tape player, computers, et al from sliding on surfaces. It looks like a fruit rollup and has a similar consistancy and it does in time wear out.

Rather than usuing foot pads or furniture glides on your box try this.
Get four items of the very same height to be used as spacers, checkers, dominoes, bottle caps, but nothing higher than 3/16th of an inch. Also get a roll of wax paper and place several sheets, larger by a few inches than the box, on the floor. Take some clear GE Silicone II in a calk gun or a small tube, and build up a nice puddle on each corner, say the size of a hersheys kiss. Set the box on the waxpaper, using the spacers to keep the box off the floor. The silicone will automatically flow out to a good level taking care of any variation in the box and the floor.

You may have to add some silicone to each corner as it settles but this can be done from the side and you won't have to pick up the box again once it is on the waxpaper.

Wait about 24 hours before you peel this off the wax paper.

I won't promise it will work but if the box isn't perfectly square it will move about on the floor no matter what you do to it.

Don

Subject: RE: HELP! Stompbox slides on wood floor!
From: Spartacus
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 12:49 PM

Don,
   Thanks for the tips, but i should have mentioned that there is not a flat surface on the bottom of the box. The only surface making contact with the floor is 2 pieces of 3/4" plywood, which are exteemly level. The problem is really that no wood floor is even. I need some sort of super tacky something or another to put on the wood, or if i have to, i'll put a thin piece of plywood across the bottom and adhere something to that. I was thinking of those flower decals that old folks put in their showers to keep from falling....

-Spartacus

Subject: RE: HELP! Stompbox slides on wood floor!
From: DonMeixner
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 01:21 PM

Well, I think my system may still work. Your box is probably using the 3/4 " ply wood strips like skis.

You could always lay in a supply of sticky back velcro strips. :-)))

Don

Subject: RE: HELP! Stompbox slides on wood floor!
From: Sorcha
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 01:26 PM

What about the rubber mats that are sold in sheets you can cut to fit? It's used a lot in RV's/caravans to keep things from sliding. Look in the kitchen wares.

Subject: RE: HELP! Stompbox slides on wood floor!
From: jimmyt
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 01:35 PM

I was going to suggest the same as Sorcha
They make a material that is used in kitchens to keep items in drawers from sliding also larger pieces to go under rugs to keep them wherethey belong This should work with no problems

Subject: RE: HELP! Stompbox slides on wood floor!
From: Spartacus
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 01:57 PM

Thanks for the tip..Im gonna give it a try....I'll keep you posted.
Any tips on keeping that foot taping when you're fingerpicking over an alternating bass and playing a harmonica? (holy pat your head and rub your stomach, batman!) =)

-Spartacus

Subject: RE: HELP! Stompbox slides on wood floor!
From: Tiger
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 05:04 PM

Just a bigger base, with any of those sticky materials should do it.

Subject: RE: HELP! Stompbox slides on wood floor!
From: Kim C
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 05:45 PM

I don't suppose duct tape would be the answer, huh?

Subject: RE: HELP! Stompbox slides on wood floor!
From: Alice
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 06:38 PM

Use Sticky Tack! It is like a kneadable clay, you make wads of it that you put on the bottom of your box and then push it against the floor where you want it to stay put. MUCH easier than constructing more and it works. You just pull it off the box and floor when you're done, and it is re-usable.

Alice

Subject: RE: HELP! Stompbox slides on wood floor!
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 07:41 PM

The sure and certain way to keep such small appliances in place is to fasten them to a small carpet or rubber doormat, and then put your chair (or your other foot, if you stand to play) on the projecting edge of the mat (or make it big enough to put the whole chair on - or to dance on). When you're done, wrap the box in the mat for transport.

The small auto floor mats work nicely, especially if you can find a fairly thin one.

John

Subject: RE: HELP! Stompbox slides on wood floor!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 08:32 PM

One of those dining trays with the bean bag bottom - especially if the bottom of the box isn't level.

LTS

Subject: RE: HELP! Stompbox slides on wood floor!
From: open mike
Date: 25 Jan 03 - 05:35 AM

you could also make a little leash--which connects to your chair to
chain the thing to your chair...a small chain or strap or bunji,
or buckel thing, or critter collar, or velcro straps which can wrap around the chair leg to keep it put. or get a percussive dancer
to accompany you and do away with the box entirely!

Subject: RE: HELP! Stompbox slides on wood floor!
From: open mike
Date: 25 Jan 03 - 05:54 AM

I had never heard of a stomp box--
but it reminded me of a box that
I heard of a while back...the bass box
check here...http://www.bassbox.org/
bassbox