Laser Stands - What does everybody use?

[norty303]

That Terralec stand looks like the ST132, albeit with lower load limit. Strange that they all seem to quote different, even though its the same stand.

[geeeee12345]

with the single poles on the stands (minus the T-bar) how do you attach the laser? do you guys use some form of arm stretching out for clearance or a base plate or simply fabricate some form of attachment and place the laser upside down on the attachment?

This has been something I have been considering but not really come up with a stable way to support the laser...

[norty303]

Use a T bar or coupler on spigot with scaff bar.
Basically there are loads of hardware options depending on if you want to hang it or stand it on top.
I've used underslung yokes mounted on top hat type fixings and underhung arrangements, but I don't usually use a single stand.
A central laser on a stage means a single stand is often in the way of where the drummer or DJ need to be, and a bit unsightly.

[White-Light]

I'm not sure they are the same stand Norty.

It doesn't look quite as substantial as the pics on Thomann of the St132 to me. Its also branded as "Standforce".

Could be wrong though.

As for how to fix the laser, I believe Jem has a large rectangular bracket on top of this stand that the laser hangs from thus keeping it central to the stand at all times. I believe he had that custom made.

I've looked everywhere but can't seem to find anything similar. It seems to be tbar (which with 1 laser makes the weight lop sided), base plate (which obviously removes the ability to tilt the laser) or a custom built bracket.

[geeeee12345]

yea thought so....

usually I use ladder truss with two stands but am thinking of a show where I would like one center laser raised higher than the two that would be on the ladder truss...

the idea of the yolk would only work if the bracket was attatched to the sides and you had full clearence... so for now quite literally back to the drawing board

[norty303]

When I've needed some extra height in the middle of the truss I've built a goalpost above the main truss out of half couplers and scaff bar to rig from so it is still hanging but above the bar.
I've got some pics I think...

Should be able to see what I mean above the DJ in each case

In that first one, thats also a Martin Atomic rigged over the top of the laser projector too

Bearded_rig.jpg

Alchemy_rig.jpg

If you've got a metal fabricator nearby, or someone who can weld, the t bars supplied with the ST132 make a good start for a projector plate. Cut each arm about halfway down each side and weld back on so it makes a cross. Then add a flat plate on top. Cut slots in the plate for strapping/rigging hardware and Bob's your Mother's brother...

[Insanity]

I bought a truss pack from Envirel and then modded it with a 2" dia tube to hold standard truss clamps: http://www.envirel.de/Trussing-Tripo...tem::5113.html

Here you can see the mods:

DSCN0369.jpg

DSCN02901.jpg

DSCF7848.jpg

However, I only use it for demo's and stuff like LEMs. I would never use it at a public event, I would expect the lighting company or venue to supply the trussing which they have at every event I have worked on in the past 6 years. I certainly wouldn't use a single stand at an event. Because, (A) I very much doubt it would get through health and safety and (B) I would be devastated if it got knocked over with my precious laser attached to it, and God only knows the fallout if it fell and hit someone... When it comes to my kit on a stage, my only rule is: Trust nobody

To get lasers at differing heights on the same truss, I use drop bars, which are two steel bars bent with a 2" hook either end with a 2" pole clamped into the hooks at one end...

Cheers
Mark

[Jem]

I have two options (both made by my local metal fabricator) for mounting my laser(s) on to the stand.

Option 1.
This is a basic 'T' bar and the lasers hang each side of the 'T'

Option 2.
This I use when i'm using just one laser, it's basically a 'U' section. The bottom of the 'U' mounts into the upright of the stand, thus it can swivel on it's horizontal axis. The laser sits in the top of the 'U', at each side there are slots where the bolts that usually hold the hanging mount on the projector are placed, this allows for vertical movement. Once it's all tightend up it's as solid as a rock.

I note what Mark says about using one stand. However, the Powerdrive base opens pretty wide and that makes it very stable, it's never caused me a problem at all.

Cheers

Jem

[norty303]

I use drop bars

I find these are very useful too.

http://www.thomann.de/gb/doughty_t20710_chaken.htm

BTW, I find that having a few assorted lengths of ally scaff, plus swivel couplers and c clamps allow you to be pretty creative and versatile when you need to be.

http://www.thomann.de/gb/stairville_...m3mm_rohrd.htm

I should post up some pics of my collection of rigging oddities some day...

[Insanity]

I find these are very useful too.

http://www.thomann.de/gb/doughty_t20710_chaken.htm

You are a star... These are exactly what I use, but my main customer provides them at their venue and I borrow them for other gigs... I have searched high and low to get some of my own with no luck.. You have now brought my headache to an end... Cheers Norty...

Mark

[norty303]

HTH



Notice that the stock level is on amber Mark, so may be a wait. I don't think I've ever seen them in stock and ready to deliver actually.

Also, these can be handy if you only need to drop one item, rather than a whole bar

http://www.thomann.de/gb/doughty_t20...extra_long.htm

[Phredy1]

For stands the ST 132 Global Truss is the best for the money IMO.

To mount the projector on the stand I use the Odyssey Speaker Adapter. Works fine and not expensive.

[FourDee]

I'm not sure they are the same stand Norty.

It doesn't look quite as substantial as the pics on Thomann of the St132 to me. Its also branded as "Standforce".

Could be wrong though.

As for how to fix the laser, I believe Jem has a large rectangular bracket on top of this stand that the laser hangs from thus keeping it central to the stand at all times. I believe he had that custom made.

I've looked everywhere but can't seem to find anything similar. It seems to be tbar (which with 1 laser makes the weight lop sided), base plate (which obviously removes the ability to tilt the laser) or a custom built bracket.

When you turn your Kvant upside down you can use something like this : http://www.bax-shop.nl/artikel/W-42052

[White-Light]

That Terralec stand looks like the ST132, albeit with lower load limit. Strange that they all seem to quote different, even though its the same stand.

I contacted the company. They're made by (Belgium? ) Company Mobil Truss as opposed to the ST132 which is made by the US company Global Truss.

[norty303]

Ok, and Mobil Truss/Mobiltech make a stand called the SPTek4000, which I referred to earlier in the thread, which bears not a passing resemblance to the ST132 (specs are the same, colour is different).
http://www.mobiltech.co.uk/

My gut feeling is that they are the same OEM (I don't think Global Truss make the stand directly, it'll be a China/Taiwanese manu)

[White-Light]

In so far as its difficult to tell from a photo, I personally don't think that the Mobil LG29 looks as well made as the ST132. The only thing I do like is found on the more expensive versions - those large rubber feet. Anything that adds stability has to be good. Pity American DJ don't have add on feet for extra stability.

Anyway my purchase is temporarily on hold, but I'm leaning towards an St 132 at the moment. The extra £30 looks worth it.

As for mounting bracket, I'm not sure of the solution, I'm inclined to thing a rectangle to mount the laser in would still give the best solution of centring gravity and enabling tilt to be applied. Only issue is strength and cost.

Apologies for my poor photo shopping but this is what I envisaged for mounting (probably with a narrower square):

[FourDee]

White-Light, did you notice my post earlier?
Something like that would probably be the easiest solution for you ...

[Jem]

Al, you don't need to go that elaborate.

Just look at the hanger that's already on your projector. Turn this upside down so it looks like a letter 'U', now just mount the base of the 'U' onto your stand with a strong bolt

This eliminates the need for the big rectangle thingy

[White-Light]

White-Light, did you notice my post earlier?
Something like that would probably be the easiest solution for you ...

Yeah my reply seems to have disappeared, don't know how that happened.

Anyway, I was wondering about cooling if you inverted the whole laser projector. Wouldn't the heat from the lasers add to the heat in the amp section?

Alternatively, did you mean just taking off and fitting the bracket from the base instead of the top (assuming here this can be done as haven't looked).

@ Jem, I think my line immediately above is what you were suggesting. I don't know if it can be done but I'll certainly look. Do I take it you had one custom made because your projector didn't have a bracket or at least a suitable one as standard?

[Insanity]

I contacted the company. They're made by (Belgium? ) Company Mobil Truss as opposed to the ST132 which is made by the US company Global Truss.

Unless it's a big brand, I don't think the company name means much at all these days... My trussing and tripods were branded as Dural, now the same system is branded American DJ and guess what,,, it's made in China... So the name is just different branding on the self same product...

One point I forgot to mention is that the feet of the tripods are slotted, so you can bolt or peg them down for stability...

Mark

[FourDee]

Yeah my reply seems to have disappeared, don't know how that happened.

Anyway, I was wondering about cooling if you inverted the whole laser projector. Wouldn't the heat from the lasers add to the heat in the amp section?

Alternatively, did you mean just taking off and fitting the bracket from the base instead of the top (assuming here this can be done as haven't looked).

@ Jem, I think my line immediately above is what you were suggesting. I don't know if it can be done but I'll certainly look. Do I take it you had one custom made because your projector didn't have a bracket or at least a suitable one as standard?

Don't think it will make that much difference. The air in the top section can not go into the amp section anyway. Conduction happens either way. And the amp section is ventilated.

I have 2 lasers in these cases : http://www.synchrovision.co.uk/produ...canners-28kpps and I've used them upside down and sideways for literally days on end without problems.

But if you are really worried about it, you could invert the bracket easily. Just screw out the knobs, then the screws in the middle, flip the bracket and then put the screws back in.

[White-Light]

For stands the ST 132 Global Truss is the best for the money IMO.

To mount the projector on the stand I use the Odyssey Speaker Adapter. Works fine and not expensive.

Do I take it you attach the adapter permanently to the laser bracket therefore and just sit the adapter onto the top of the stand and tighten to fit it (as opposed to having the adapter permanently on the stand and trying to attach the bracket to the adapter)?

[norty303]

I think you can do it whichever way works best for you Al.

[Jem]

Alternatively, did you mean just taking off and fitting the bracket from the base instead of the top (assuming here this can be done as haven't looked).

@ Jem, I think my line immediately above is what you were suggesting. I don't know if it can be done but I'll certainly look. Do I take it you had one custom made because your projector didn't have a bracket or at least a suitable one as standard?

Yep, that's pretty much what I was suggesting. However, the mounting bolts on the side of my projector are about two thirds of the way up so I couldn't just invert the bracket as it wouldn't fit. I had one made locally. Also, I had it made with slots instead of holes so I don't have to unscrew the bolts on the side of the projector all the way out. I just screw 'em out part way and 'slot' it on to the bracket which is rigidly fixed to my stand by a big bolt

[White-Light]

Bought the St132.

Just waiting now.

Thanks for everyone's advice.