Topic: Clamp-aholics. The ultimate clamping and rigging team thread

[georgeh]

trying to clamp to a ceiling rafter with fire protection spray on it

[georgeh]

currently using a strap clamp but would prefer something else.

[rigpimp]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEEWER-Microphone-Suspension-Boom-Scissor-Arm-Stand-Studio-Mic-Holder-NEW/252440479894?_trksid=p2045573.c100507.m3226&_trkparms=aid%3D555014%26algo%3DPL.DEFAULT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D36866%26meid%3Df47cc42ba47940548e7020d56b0ce30e%26pid%3D100507%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26

has anyone used anything like this to clamp to / & out over a balcony?   Seems like a cost effective , small, lightweight ,portable solution  as opposed to  a pole/ half pole   / clamp combo.   
thoughts?
 

Use a Manfrotto Magic Arm. 

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/325444-REG/Manfrotto_244N_244N_Variable_Friction_Magic.html

[seethreepo]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEEWER-Microphone-Suspension-Boom-Scissor-Arm-Stand-Studio-Mic-Holder-NEW/252440479894?_trksid=p2045573.c100507.m3226&_trkparms=aid%3D555014%26algo%3DPL.DEFAULT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D36866%26meid%3Df47cc42ba47940548e7020d56b0ce30e%26pid%3D100507%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26

has anyone used anything like this to clamp to / & out over a balcony?   Seems like a cost effective , small, lightweight ,portable solution  as opposed to  a pole/ half pole   / clamp combo.   
thoughts?
 

Use a Manfrotto Magic Arm. 

I ended up with a half pole , articulated arm, superclamp and 1ft goose neck pole.  and a safety  cable 


https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/325444-REG/Manfrotto_244N_244N_Variable_Friction_Magic.html

[tim in jersey]

  On the safety cable.

[Fried Chicken Boy]

trying to clamp to a ceiling rafter with fire protection spray on it

Maybe use a Matthews Matthellini or Cardellini Clamp?  I couldn't say for sure as I've never used the Matthews products myself, but their system is different from your typical superclamp or C-clamp and can generally open much wider.  I think it's a favorite of DigiGal's so you might want to hit her up about particulars. 

The thing that would give me pause about clamping to that particular ceiling rafter is wondering how much the fire protection foam will crumble with force applied to it.  Unlike the rafter itself, the protection foam strikes me as being not very sturdy at all.  Your initial solid grip on it with a clamp would be seriously compromised if the foam starts to crumble.  Is there another structure you can clamp to? 

[if_then_else]

Moved from http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=179156.0:

Speaking as someone who does a lot of clamping, that's a necessity.  For avoiding scuffs, there are some safety cables that come with a vinyl/rubber coating; not as easy to find as the bare ones but they can be had.  Or, if you're feeling industrious, give the bare cables a coating of Plasti Dip.

I've repurposed some Flexroute cable guides (for bikes) for avoiding scuffs to the Manfrotto Magic Arm.
These cable guides have recessed channels for zip/Cobra ties. The included hard rubber grommet can hold
a split ring to which you can fix your safety cable.

http://www.cobraties.com/cobra-ties/flexroute/

Actually, this idea was inspired by the following photo blog:
http://www.danecreek.com/blog/2013/10/06/peter-read-miller-sports-workshop-gear-part-1.html

^  Just a thank you to i_t_e for the additional ideas, and a thought.  The Flexroute cable guides seem to be an option, but I would be concerned about how secure they are as the attaching band doesn't appear to be a single piece that wraps completely around the extension arms that we use.  In the event of a clamp failure, will the weight of the falling gear (which could be several pounds) cause the safety cable to just yank the Flexroute guide off the bar?  Perhaps I'm not entirely clear on your usage of them, and maybe you'd consider posting a photo of them in action in the "Clamp-aholics" thread? 

You'd wrap the zip ties ("Cobra Ties") at least two or three times around the cable guides and fasten them. I have no idea, if they'd hold 110 lbs as stated in the photo blog I had quoted above but I'm pretty sure that 30-40 lbs should be no problem.

Another useful "hack" I found on the net are gaffer tape key chains. (They are a lot easier to carry with you than even MicroGaffer tape rolls. )
These key chains are very easy to build and all you actually need for them are clevis pins, washers and split rings.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Emergency-Duct-Tape-Key-Fob/

[Fried Chicken Boy]

^  Some great ideas and hacks, i_t_e, thank you for posting them here in this thread! 

I didn't know that "Cobra Ties" were used to secure the Flexroute guides so that certainly lessens my previous concern.  It does plainly state in the installations instruction that "the Flexroute is not intended for load bearing application" but I'm in agreement that it could probably handle 30-40 pounds, the same as a standard Superclamp.  Plastic ties are pretty tough customers; since law enforcement has no reservations using them periodically as handcuffs, I'd think they're up to snuff for this application.

[capnhook]

^  Some great ideas and hacks, i_t_e, thank you for posting them here in this thread! 

I didn't know that "Cobra Ties" were used to secure the Flexroute guides so that certainly lessens my previous concern.  It does plainly state in the installations instruction that "the Flexroute is not intended for load bearing application" but I'm in agreement that it could probably handle 30-40 pounds, the same as a standard Superclamp.  Plastic ties are pretty tough customers; since law enforcement has no reservations using them periodically as handcuffs, I'd think they're up to snuff for this application.

"One word: Plastics"

Good tips y'all, thanks 

[if_then_else]

trying to clamp to a ceiling rafter with fire protection spray on it

Maybe use a Matthews Matthellini or Cardellini Clamp?  I couldn't say for sure as I've never used the Matthews products myself, but their system is different from your typical superclamp or C-clamp and can generally open much wider.  I think it's a favorite of DigiGal's so you might want to hit her up about particulars. 

The thing that would give me pause about clamping to that particular ceiling rafter is wondering how much the fire protection foam will crumble with force applied to it.  Unlike the rafter itself, the protection foam strikes me as being not very sturdy at all.  Your initial solid grip on it with a clamp would be seriously compromised if the foam starts to crumble.  Is there another structure you can clamp to?

If you're going for a Cardellini / Matthelini clamp: There are two kinds of these clamps - those with end jaws and those with center jaws.

You either want an "end jaw" clamp that's long enough to do the job or a "center jaw" clamp with one or more "Extendellini" extensions.

Caveat: These clamps are very heavy. Therefore, I definitely wouldn't clamp to an area that's covered with foam but only to the rafter/metal rod on the picture (if anything).

[lsd2525]

OK, I have a Super Clamp. I'm looking at the 099B. For the life of me, from looking at photos, I cannot tell how the pole attaches to the clamp? Is an adaptor needed?

[rigpimp]

OK, I have a Super Clamp. I'm looking at the 099B. For the life of me, from looking at photos, I cannot tell how the pole attaches to the clamp? Is an adaptor needed?

Does your superclamp not have the removable/reversible stud?  I believe the 099b mounts to the stud.

[lsd2525]

It (the superclamp) does have the stud. Looking at the photo of the 099B, it looks like it slips over something and then is tightened with a thumb screw?? Not sure how that would work with the stud on the clamp? Or do you flip the stud over where the nut side is sticking up?

[rigpimp]

It (the superclamp) does have the stud. Looking at the photo of the 099B, it looks like it slips over something and then is tightened with a thumb screw?? Not sure how that would work with the stud on the clamp? Or do you flip the stud over where the nut side is sticking up?

It probably is like the Manfrotto adapter that I have since the top of my Bogen 3373 has an unthreaded stud on the top. 

The 099b slips over that threadless stud on the superclamp and that small thumbscrew at the bottom of the 099b tightens onto the stud holding it in place. 

Ha, I googled how to connect the two and first hit was a thread here at ts.com:

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=156731.0

[lsd2525]

It (the superclamp) does have the stud. Looking at the photo of the 099B, it looks like it slips over something and then is tightened with a thumb screw?? Not sure how that would work with the stud on the clamp? Or do you flip the stud over where the nut side is sticking up?

It probably is like the Manfrotto adapter that I have since the top of my Bogen 3373 has an unthreaded stud on the top. 

The 099b slips over that threadless stud on the superclamp and that small thumbscrew at the bottom of the 099b tightens onto the stud holding it in place. 

Ha, I googled how to connect the two and first hit was a thread here at ts.com:

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=156731.0

LOL. You kids and your newfangled googldy goos and stuff:) Thanks!!!

While I'm at it, does anyone use the super clamp to clamp on to someone else's stand or is that overkill? Right angle adaptor?