Crank stands - what do you think about these?

To many ads? Support ODJT and see no ads!
rickryan.com

rickryan.com

DJ Extraordinaire
ODJT Supporter
Dec 9, 2009
19,247
17,342
59
Hendersonville, TN
www.rickryan.com
I'm kinda liking what these guys are offering. These stands go to 11.5 feet (triple sectioned) and they're not overly heavy. They also have small, triangle truss that I like as well. Am thinking seriously about getting a pair of these and 3, 5ft sections of truss. The setup I'm envisioning would be a 10ft screen hanging from the truss (center), K10s hanging on the outside edges, then 4 scanners and possibly 2 movers also hanging. I'm thinking to also hang 2 colorstrips vertically from the posts.

Would appreciate any input you might have on the hardware these guys are offering. Looks like the weight shouldn't be a problem. The screen weighs about 30 lbs, lights roughly the same.

Crank Up Dj Light Stands (Pack of 2) Stage Lighting Truss System by Griffin | Ace Division Inc.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SEDJ and ittigger
ittigger said:
I like the idea. Not sure if an unweighted tripod would hold all of that safely.
Click to expand...

BTW, I'm thinking that I won't be putting the verticals all the way to the edges of the truss. Probably put them closer in to where the screen's edges are, for better weight distribution. I like the idea of putting mounting brackets on the K10s and swinging them from the truss. That will put tops high in the air, which I think will look more impressive on teen events and the larger venues where I work. For smaller gigs, without a screen, I'll just drop the truss and still use the cranks like I'm doing now (with 9ft cranks).
 
  • Like
Reactions: ittigger
The forward pull of gravity (weight all on the front) is specifically what I'm talking about. Bigger truss systems use the base plates to counter that weight and prevent it from toppling.
 
  • Like
Reactions: steve149
ittigger said:
The forward pull of gravity (weight all on the front) is specifically what I'm talking about. Bigger truss systems use the base plates to counter that weight and prevent it from toppling.
Click to expand...

I don't THINK this will be an issue. Most everything will be center-weighted (front to back). The lighting fixtures and K10s will all be hanging straight down, as will the screen. I doubt this rig would be used on any outdoor event. I always have to anchor or attach projector screens to the tent, as they act like a sail in the wind. I'm thinking this setup would always be indoor and larger setups. I still have a package that will require dual screens that flank the outside edges.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ittigger
There are some significant trade offs. Drawbacks on those stands might include the lack of a self-braking winch. This means if you lose your grip under heavy loads the handle becomes a dangerous fly-wheel and your load drops like a rock. I can't tell if the position lock is a thru pin capable of sustaining the load. If not - then much of the load remains carried by the cable even when locked in place. Ideally you don't want a load tension on the cable during use and no chance that a locking pin could be pulled under load.

With that kind of tripod base the column does not carry the load all the way to the floor. It is instead transmitted through the legs and higher torque is seen at the connections of the legs and spreader. This will matter a lot with non-centered loads or wavering of the truss because a single leg may end up carrying much more of the load than expected. A loaded truss being raised or lowered unevenly also produces unusual stress at the legs.

With a floor length column the failure of a single leg would not lead to a collapse as it would with the failure of a single leg in a setup with these. Aside from the load itself there is always the threat of unexpected torque from accidental crashes into the legs by people, carts, equipment, vehicles, or anything that might meet with the protruding support.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Andy A, Ausumm, Dan The Man and 3 others
I'm out on the first run for these stands. I wanted to use o-clamps to hang my K10s but the clamps butted heads with the truss' supports. Had to install the speakers on top of the crank and am using U-bolts to mount the triangle truss to the cranks. I have them around 9 feet. Only have a pair of scanners hanging from the truss and have a pair of movers on stands, next to it. Here's a pic.


23435251_10154842647582307_4038374528787631486_n.jpg


I'm stuck off in the corner of a college gym. Non-alcoholic wedding tonight. Pretty dull so far but the clients seem happy. That's all that matters. I had to release tables from the mic, about 30 tables. Each table had a letter, which stood for a word and I had to read some cheeseball description of what the word meant. Man, that was corny.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SEDJ and ittigger
You don't have a lot on there but, good habits should be practiced right from the start. Don't use plastic O-clamps to hang speakers, they require at least three rigging points for safety and not simply alignment. There's no DJ insurance policy that will cover anything placed overhead so you need to get this right.

Also, trusses are designed to manage loads in compression not tension. U-bolts should not be how you hang a truss because the truss welds can easily let go and the rails of the truss can peel apart. Get a pair of lift top supports and align the truss with the vertical lift line in an apex up or apex down orientation. The support should always be from under the lowest rails. Never support a truss from just one or two of it's rails.

In a sling all three or four rails must be wrapped and the load resolved on the center line of the supports.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SEDJ, sonic-vision, steve149 and 1 other person
By the way, the gig last night was a big success. Can't say it was the most exciting party of all time. This was at a religious (non-dancing) university and no alcohol. Still, I got a good response from the younger crowd. I ran an anniversary dance, did the YMCA with the groomsmen (with props-big hit) and at the end we did "Take Me Home Country Roads" with everyone left in a big circle around the couple. Lots of kudos from multiple family members. I have to say, the 2 movers and 2 scanners worked very well, even with me stuck off in the corner of the rather large room. I'm also completely digging the little Donner, wireless DMX transmitter/receivers. Those things are dynamite.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00L25ZNP4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
 
  • Like
Reactions: ittigger and maestro
Why not also hang your moving heads on the truss? You have extra stands that are not needed.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ittigger
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back