How to Make a Structural Catwalk

A catwalk or runway is a raised platform used to display fashion designs. Models walk down the catwalk showing off custom made clothes and exhibiting accessories like jewelry and handbags. The catwalk is a medium that provides much needed exposure for models and designers alike. The audience at the fashion show sits around a T-shape runway. This shape gives everyone optimal view of the fashions. To make a structural catwalk, you need to create a sturdy platform that sits upon a metal frame.

Measuring tape
8 scaffolding poles
Hack saw
Circular saw
72 by 72 by 1 inch pre-cut plywood
Welder
Metal clasps

Instructions

- 1
  Cut eight scaffolding poles to size using a hack saw. You need four poles to be 30-inches long for the legs; two poles to be 72-inches for leg supports, and two middle support poles at 36-inches.
- 2
  Lay out two leg poles, perpendicular to each other. Space them 72-inches apart or the width of the stage platform.
- 3
  Place one leg support in the middle of the two legs and weld the ends of the support beam to the legs. This create an H-frame. Repeat Step 2 and Step 3 for the other two legs.
- 4
  Form an X under the stage using the middle support poles. Weld one end of a support beam to a right corner leg and the other end to the opposite left corner leg. Repeat this step for the other support pole until you have two poles that cross each other.
- 5
  Sand the plywood. Paint, polish or varnish the surface of the plywood to give a professional appearance. Use a dark color such as black or gray.
- 6
  Cut a hole in all four corners of the plywood. The hole should be the same diameter of the scaffolding poles.
- 7
  Lay the plywood runway over the frame you built. Push the four corners with pre-cut holes down over the scaffolding poles. These holes keep the catwalk platform in place as the models walk back and forth.
- 8
  Line up two or more completed runways so they form a T-shape. Attach the legs of the catwalk with metal clasps.

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