Re: Don't buy Martin!

On Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:11:00 -0600, "Peter Herman" <rpeter@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
wrote:

>[snip].
>>>
>>>Wow! a new record for dumb ideas, fence pipe as lighting position!
>>
>> Try explaining exactly what's wrong with using fence pipe, and
>> also what sort of pipe should be used instead and why.
>
>Fence pipe is thin walled which makes it unsatisfactory as lighting pipe.

>At least in the US where we have C-clamps with a fairly stout screw, it
is 
>very easy to have someone over tighten the clamp and dimple or dent the 
>pipe.  These dimples and dents introduce weak spots in the pipe which can

>cause it to collapse under the weight of instruments hung on it.
>
>Schedule 40 steel/iron pipe is what is generally used.  While it is
heavier, 
>it is much stronger and there is much less risk of a pipe failing over an

>audience's head. If you have a failure of your fence pipe and someone is 
>injured, both you and the venue which let you hang it would be looking at
a 
>very big settlement since the plaintiff's lawyers would have an easy time

>demonstrating that you were negligent for not following accepted industry

>standards.
>
>Peter 

Agreed, but in that situation the thinner walled piped was adequate for
the job. The pipe was so close to the ceiling that the lights had to be
hung so the clamps didn't need to be tightened down too much, and 
the pipe was sup****ted every 5' or so. Even if people tried to destroy it 
by over tightening they would have had to put a lot of effort into trying 
to make it happen, but no one did.