Speaker Stands as Light Stands

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jokerswild

jokerswild

Chief Bottle Washer
Feb 11, 2007
18,776
1,288
Elkhart, IN
www.totalimpactdjs.com
I have two TS-80 speaker stands that have a max. height of 6' 7" plus I also have extension poles that would give me an extra 3' I believe that would give me a total height without I-Beam truss of 9' 7".

If this would work out I could just pick up a 5' section of I-Beam truss to put up between the stands.

Do you guys think this would be a good alternative to buying a complete truss system?

If so I know what I'm getting for my birthday.

Thoughts?
 
I would go with triangle or box truss, instead of the I beam truss. You can get a truss adapter to fit on top of the speaker pole. Another problem since these are not crank stands, it do you lift it before you mount the lights and then use a ladder to install the lights, or manually lift it with the lights installed?
 
MBM said:
I would go with triangle or box truss, instead of the I beam truss. You can get a truss adapter to fit on top of the speaker pole. Another problem since these are not crank stands, it do you lift it before you mount the lights and then use a ladder to install the lights, or manually lift it with the lights installed?
Click to expand...

Currently I have a T-bar that I use but when I try to mount my scanners the weight of them causes them to turn downward and or turn the pole with them as they settle due to gravity. The idea is to use the I-beam or really any truss to support the lights and prevent them from turning downward for a more stable setup.

In general I have always put the lights on my T-Bar first then raised it up to operational height.... this is very hard even with it just being 1 t-bar..... due to weight of the lights.

I would probably in this case put the stand up then as you suggest use a step ladder to get up and mount the lights.... I would need to get a taller step ladder than the one I currently use which is only a 3' step ladder.

So the next question is can I get Box or Triangle truss in 5' sections?
 
The cheaplights tri and box truss is 2 meter I have 3 sections of the triangle, but wish I had gone with box. For 4 meter or less setup I use some 12ft On stage crank stands, not really that expensive and have held up great.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-PRO-12FT-Crank-Up-Light-Stand-DJ-Stage-Lighting_W0QQitemZ200293622659QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item200293622659&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50http://www.music-by-mike.com/images/onstage.jpg


For anything larger I use a pair of 4m Global ST-132 crank stands, great stands but very heavy.
 
I'm trying to be cheap...

With what I already have the two TS-80 stands and the 3' extensions what would it take to add say either I-Beam as Opt 1 or Triangle Truss as Opt 2.?

Min. width of truss I would want is 4' wide

Pro v. Con of each.

I know what it would cost for a complete setup from Duratruss including stands. But, I am trying to save money by using stands I already have. Even if that means no crank-ups and having to use a ladder to mount my lights.

I'm hoping Ben will weight in on this with a parts list for each option.
 
Just from my personal experience in trying to go cheap. Wait till you can do it right or at least better, since you will eventually decide to do it and then have the other stuff in your way.
 
MBM said:
Just from my personal experience in trying to go cheap. Wait till you can do it right or at least better, since you will eventually decide to do it and then have the other stuff in your way.
Click to expand...

I agree but this would be a solution until I can afford crank ups.... then all I'd have sitting off to the side again would be my TS-80s and the extensions...

If I can come in at well under $300.00 I'd do it.... if not then I'll just go for the Duratruss system which is just a shade over $300 with shipping.
 
jokerswild said:
I'm trying to be cheap...

With what I already have the two TS-80 stands and the 3' extensions what would it take to add say either I-Beam as Opt 1 or Triangle Truss as Opt 2.?

Min. width of truss I would want is 4' wide

Pro v. Con of each.

I know what it would cost for a complete setup from Duratruss including stands. But, I am trying to save money by using stands I already have. Even if that means no crank-ups and having to use a ladder to mount my lights.

I'm hoping Ben will weight in on this with a parts list for each option.
Click to expand...

I went down that road and looked at both options and ended up with a DURATRUSS system as a backup to my (2) T-Bars on light stands. Thinking I have the best of both worlds if my lights get heavy I put them on the Crank stands if necessary. (The stands are heavy to)

To be honest I have moved to mostly all LED style lights and use the T-stands 95% of the time (the T-Bar tops fits the Dura stands).
 
Randy A said:
Rob - I may have a solution to your problem, but I'd like to see your t-bar set up. You have a pic? The twisting of the pole can be taken care of very easily.
Click to expand...

It's this stand: http://accessories.musiciansfriend....BLT-LightIng-Stand-with-Side-Bars-?sku=450414

But, here's the thing I'm tired of cramming all my lights on it and in fact I can only get my color pallets and the scanner's on it before it's so darn heavy that it makes it all but impossible to raise by hand.

Hence why I'd like a truss system even if it means raising it and then mounting lights while standing on a ladder.
 
I don't recall the actual price that Ben got me on my new truss with crank stands, but it was insane. I'm pretty sure even cheaper than your budget.

But, if not and I was in your position, I'd buy one crank stand and use the t-bar until I could get into the complete set up.

But, to eliminate the twisting of the pole, all you have to do is use a self-tapping screw thru the sleeve into the tbar.
 
Rob,
I have some I-Beam sections 2 five footers. I used them once or twice.

I now use the stands to hold my triangle truss, and the i-beams just sit there...

Make me an offer....they just might be on there way to Elkhart!!!
 
Rob Im confused you didnt say you were becoming cheap did you? I thought you always squeeked when you walked.
 
Ok here is what I'm working with....

The first two pics are my current light bar system I'm using the two bottom bars as support for the scanners but as you can see I can't mount any more lights on this rig.... not to mention even if I could it would weight a ton.....

The last pic is of my TS80 with the extension and as you can see I also have two T connectors on it.... I have two of these stands and extensions.... which is what I'm hoping to use for a truss system temporarily until I can afford the good stuff with cranks.
 

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Yep, if you can't swing a complete system, purchase one crank stand. Put a self-tapping screw in the plastic sleeve into the t-bar to eliminate the twisting and continue using the one t-bar until you can do the full truss.

Or, just use the self-tapping screw and raise it and load the lights.
 
Randy A said:
Yep, if you can't swing a complete system, purchase one crank stand. Put a self-tapping screw in the plastic sleeve into the t-bar to eliminate the twisting and continue using the one t-bar until you can do the full truss.

Or, just use the self-tapping screw and raise it and load the lights.
Click to expand...

If I do that, and I have already considered that, I then couldn't take the t-bar off for transport.

I have even considered a peg with cotter pin thru the T-Bar but my worry is the connector is plastic.... and the risk thru time is breakage.
 
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