Design Side Hang on Horizontal Pipe..?

[jmac]

We have a 40' long dead hung horizontal pipe, where we were going to hang a few lights. Now the set designer wants to hang a teaser curtain on same pipe to screen some upstage scenery when it is flown out.

Is it possible to hang the lights to the side (w/ a side arm, etc.), to stay away from the curtain, or will the whole thing just rotate and get messy..? What if we equally load each side of pipe..?

Thoughts, ideas..?

 

[BillESC]

Normally you would use a sidearm as a pipe stiffener by lashing or otherwise affixing the sidearm to the chain or rope the pipe is hung from.

 

[Will Elphingstone]

We have a 40' long dead hung horizontal pipe, where we were going to hang a few lights. Now the set designer wants to hang a teaser curtain on same pipe to screen some upstage scenery when it is flown out.

Is it possible to hang the lights to the side (w/ a side arm, etc.), to stay away from the curtain, or will the whole thing just rotate and get messy..? What if we equally load each side of pipe..?

Thoughts, ideas..?

You can. Use vertical sidearms and attach them to the chain/cable to keep pipe from spinning, and hang fixtures off of sidearms. Make sure that the fixture is as far from the border as possible. Also use the shutters to block any light that is hitting the border once the light is focused. Even if you evenly load the pipe, still attach vertical sidearms to the cable/chain just in case

 

[JChenault]

Depends on how many fixtures, where they are focused, etc.

If just a few, yes you can if you devote some additional vertical side arms to stop rotation. If you add too many fixtures the weight will still make the pipe rotate somewhat. You said the batten will be flown out. Note that it will take more space both upstage ( from the fixtures ) AND downstage ( as the pipi/sidearm assembly rotates. ALSO be very careful that the fixtures are nowhere near the border as this is a potential fire hazard.

 

[jmac]

Normally you would use a sidearm as a pipe stiffener by lashing or otherwise affixing the sidearm to the chain or rope the pipe is hung from.

Do you mean to use the side arm with sliding tee like I see in catalogs, or is there a different type..? Thanks!

 

[jmac]

You can. Use vertical sidearms and attach them to the chain/cable to keep pipe from spinning, and hang fixtures off of sidearms. Make sure that the fixture is as far from the border as possible. Also use the shutters to block any light that is hitting the border once the light is focused. Even if you evenly load the pipe, still attach vertical sidearms to the cable/chain just in case

To clarify- Th

You can. Use vertical sidearms and attach them to the chain/cable to keep pipe from spinning, and hang fixtures off of sidearms. Make sure that the fixture is as far from the border as possible. Also use the shutters to block any light that is hitting the border once the light is focused. Even if you evenly load the pipe, still attach vertical sidearms to the cable/chain just in case

To clarify- the pipe is suspended by aircraft type cables every ten feet or so. We want fixtures maybe every 4 feet. So we use side arms for the fixtures plus additional side arms at the cables..? How do they fasten to the cables..? And is there a special type side arm for this..?

 

[jmac]

Depends on how many fixtures, where they are focused, etc.

If just a few, yes you can if you devote some additional vertical side arms to stop rotation. If you add too many fixtures the weight will still make the pipe rotate somewhat. You said the batten will be flown out. Note that it will take more space both upstage ( from the fixtures ) AND downstage ( as the pipi/sidearm assembly rotates. ALSO be very careful that the fixtures are nowhere near the border as this is a potential fire hazard.

No- the pipe in question is dead hung. It has a teaser that is used to mask an upstage scenery pipe that does fly in and out. The reason for the side arms is to get the fixtures away from the teaser curtain.

 

[petercav17]

To clarify- the pipe is suspended by aircraft type cables every ten feet or so. We want fixtures maybe every 4 feet. So we use side arms for the fixtures plus additional side arms at the cables..? How do they fasten to the cables..? And is there a special type side arm for this..?

You can just use normal sidearms, though I'd use a longer one depending on how far out off the pipe you plan to hang your lights. Clamp the sidearm right next to the point on the pipe and then lash it to the aircraft cable a few times in different spots with tieline.

 

[RonHebbard]

You can just use normal sidearms, though I'd use a longer one depending on how far out off the pipe you plan to hang your lights. Clamp the sidearm right next to the point on the pipe and then lash it to the aircraft cable a few times in different spots with tieline.

The longer the vertical arm, the better and the highest tie, the one furthest from your pipe and closest to the end of the vertical arm is the most important tie / the tie doing most of the work and taking the most strain. Consider using clove hitches to lash the vertical arms to the supporting cables and KEEP THE TIES TIGHT! Lash the vertical arms to their supporting cables BEFORE you add all of your normal sidearms, the ones that're actually supporting your lights.
(Edited to add my last sentence.)
Toodleoo!
Ron Hebbard

 

[jmac]

Thanks much. I think I get it.!..