How to set up your X-Lite Portable Stage System

The first thing you need to do is unbox your new staging equipment and give everything supplied a check-over to ensure it has reached you undamaged and complete. All the X-Lite portable stage platforms are individually packaged 1m x 1m top surfaces, with the riser leg units also packed individually. So for a single stage deck setup, you should have received two cartons.

This is also the case for any X-Lite step units your particular stage package may include, so the step surfaces and their folding riser leg units will come in separate boxes.

Please retain all the packaging, at least until you are confident the system is as expected and that you are happy with it.

• Stage Platform: Remove the stage deck from its box, and while it's in your hands you can visually inspect along its aluminium framework to make sure no transit damage has occurred. Once happy, you can check that the hexa-textured top surface is unmarked and as expected. It is unusual for these decks to obtain damage during storage or shipping, but is best to check them straight from the box before you put them into use.

  You can also test the latching pin mechanisms on the rear surface of the platform, which use a push-to-lock pin, and then release open again with the push of a button. Each platform has four of these latch pin units which are used to attach the leg system correctly.

  Included with each X-Lite platform you should find four deck-to-deck clamps, which are supplied pre-fitted to two of the four sides. These can also be purchased separately if needed, but you should have four included per deck.

• Riser Leg Unit Remove the leg unit from its box and again give it a good visual once-over looking for any obvious transport damage. In its folded position you will see both the aluminium support tubing and its internal black nylon/ABS support cores. Again, it is unusual for these units to arrive with damage, but it’s always better to check new equipment before use.

  You can then test the functionality of the riser to ensure it works as it should. You can do this by taking hold of the chunky top mounts or feet and moving them away from each other, pulling the riser open (this is shown clearly in the video if you are unsure). There are bright arrow labels to show which are the top mounts and which are the feet. As stated in the video, you shouldn't open risers by gripping the leg poles as it can cause damage to the nylon/ABS support cores.

  You can also place the riser on the floor onto its feet and then open it up by pulling on the top mounts (actually the safest method). The opening and closing action should be smooth and nearly silent, and if this is the case then everything is as it should be and you can put your stage together.

The best method is to take your 1m x 1m stage surface, place it face-down onto the floor, and attach the riser with everything ‘upside-down’. It saves a lot of bending and reaching around if you were to try it the other way!

As mentioned, the riser legs have bright yellow labels which say ‘Top’ and have an arrow to indicate the end of the unit where your stage surface must connect. You really can't get it wrong.

The risers don't have a front or back side as they are identical (it’s square), so it's only the top-mount and feet orientation you need to get right.

Following the steps we already performed in our initial test, and as shown in the video, you will:

• Place the stage deck platform face down onto the floor.
• Stand the riser leg unit on that rear surface, ensuring the ‘Top’ arrow label is facing that surface/floor.
• Expand the riser leg unit by gripping the large black feet and pulling the unit open.
• Align the riser unit so each of the black top-mounts fits into a corner of the platform, sandwiched between the frame and the latching pin fixtures.
• Engage the four latching pins by pushing on the black rubber buttons to slide the pins into place. The pins should align and locate into the notches on the sides of risers top mounts.
• The riser leg unit is now locked into place and the complete stage platform with legs can now be flipped over to stand on its feet.

To take your stage apart, simply do the reverse, pushing the buttons on the latch units to release the locking pins, then pushing the leg riser unit inwards so that it folds back down to its original packed state.

If you have only purchased a single stage deck then that's it! It's such a simple system.

Each stage platform comes with four deck-to-deck clamps. These are pre-fitted in pairs to two of its sides. These aluminium clamps push neatly into the side rail accessory slot of an additional platform.

The clamps also act as deck surface levellers, ensuring the top surfaces of decks are flush with each other to avoid any tripping hazards on multi-platform stage builds.

Following step 2 for both of the stage decks, and as shown in the video, to join two platforms together you will:

• Turn one of the stage decks, if required, so that the edge of one deck has its two clamps facing an empty edge of the second deck
• Push the decks together, ensuring the clamps enter the accessory rail of the second deck correctly.
• With the two decks pushed flush together, the two clamps can be tightened using a suitable Allen key into the grub screws which are on the stage surface.
• There is no need to overtighten the screws, as this can damage the threads in the clamps.
• When correctly inserted and tightened, the two stage decks should now be firmly attached to each other, and their top surfaces level.

For attaching groups of stage decks, the method is exactly the same, just that you will be mindful of the orientation of the decks and their clamps so they all mate correctly with each other, and with any additional decks you may need to add.

Though the clamps are fully removable, the deck surfaces only have holes for the clamps tightening screws on two edges, so it’s important to pay attention to this when assembling a larger stage system. Done correctly each stage platform should be in contact with four clamps.

These systems are infinitely expandable, and the interchangeable nature of the riser leg design means you can easily alter the total height of a stage to suit different needs. For example, you could have 20 stage platforms at 20cm tall, then swap out the riser legs for 60cm units, add a set of steps, and you're good to go.

The diagram gives you an example of this clamp layout with four X-Lite stage platforms.

Uniquely for the X-Lite series of staging, the step units utilise an identical folding ‘concertina’ style design leg riser and detachable top surface. This makes them much easier to store and transport than a ‘standard’ stage step system.

Step riser leg units come in heights of 20cm, 40cm, 60cm and 80cm and all make use of the same sized step platform, so it's not an issue for tops and legs to be muddled up between uses.

Stages of 20cm don't require a step, and many will also use a 40cm stage without them. Any stage of 40cm or taller should have steps, both for comfort of access and for user safety.

The method for connecting the stage step legs to the step platforms is identical to that used in section 2 for the main stage decks. The risers and top platforms lock to each other securely with latching pin bolts and can then be moved as one piece.

Due to the height difference, the step units cant make use of the clamping system used by the stage decks. Instead, the step risers utilise their own adjustable leg-to-leg clamp design, which allows you to secure your stage steps to each other, and to the main stage risers.

The clamps simple design is very easy to use, with a thumbwheel tightener meaning no tools are required. For safety you will use one clamp per side, per step, which will ensure the steps and stage system behave as one unified structure.

The sliding design makes it easy to fit and adjust to size, and in conjunction with the square-shaped feet of all the leg risers, stops any twisting or lateral movement, providing a solid and safe feel underfoot.

Stage packages that include step units will also include all the required clamps, or they are available to order individually.

An optional accessory, but a hugely popular choice for a more professional stage aesthetic. These simple clip-on steel plates feature a flat section with industrial hook-and-loop fixing attached. This allows for quick installation and removal of a classic molten fabric stage skirt.

The clips are available as a pack of 8, and are perfect for use with either pleated or straight-cut skirting, which we have available in a selection of heights and widths to suit stage packages of all sizes.

They can also be used to attach anything else to the front or side of your stage with hook-and-loop, from advertising and marketing board materials to lightweight lighting units.