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

[2manyrocks]

Sorry to skip back for a sec, but I found a solution for what I needed using a piece of aluminum angle, two m5-.80x12 screws, and a cell phone holder case (to hold an external battery) for $8.59.  I could have skipped the cell phone holder case and just used velcro.  No drilling or tapping required this time, but who knows about the next?

[Fried Chicken Boy]

So I am about to pull the trigger on Matthews Extension and the Impact SuperClamp but it looks like I will need an adapter to sit atop the extension  that will give me 5/8-27 male.

Anyone know of one?

My favorite way is

This (note the notch in each end, these help when you need to remove the adapter and it's in the female 5/8 27)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/232827-REG/K_M_21500_000_01_Reducer_Bushing_Converts_1_2.html

on this

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?sku=546490&Q=&O=&gclid=Cj0KEQiA-aujBRDqj772vpGfgooBEiQAzWAZUgCQ7Dhk0vyuDMXBtP4eIbo8d7jxHNFvw438rKK0K20aAr6Y8P8HAQ&is=REG&A=details

+1 on the Manfrotto Rapid Adapter; I use them all the time.  Just to add another 2 cents of mine, I prefer these 3/8>5/8 adapters (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/400111-REG/On_Stage_MA_300_MA300_Screw_Adapter.html) since they have a flange to keep them from getting stuck up into whatever you're using them on.  Personal preference, etc.

Also, I would consider taking a look at the Lowel extension poles.  They're a little more expensive than the Matthews extensions but are of heartier construction.  The big flaw I heard about the Matthews poles was that the plastic tightening collars would crack easily, rendering the extension pretty much useless.  The Manfrotto 122B is a solid piece of hardware, too, and what I use myself.

[F.O.Bean]

I have [2] of those Radid Adapters too. OMG, how much easier they make taping and life haha. But seriously, it is a MAJOR help in setting up and tearing down. Plus you can dial in EXACTLY where you want your mics with them. Honestly, some of the best money I've spent on my rigs over the years! I always make sure I have at least 1 with me when I'm just recording 1 stage Highly recommended IMO! I have the 5/8">1/4" ones though, since ALL of my clamps and shocks are 1/4"! It makes everything compatible with each other that way, instead of having all different sizes on your clamps and shocks and whatnot

[F.O.Bean]

Need some input on a sort of unusual clamping necessity I have coming up soon.

I'm going to record three nights in a row at a friend's bar that is shutting down after 11 years. The place is tiny (holds 50 ppl packed) and using a stand is completely out of the question so clamping it is.
The bad news is I'm using ADK TLs and they are huge and heavy. Unless I can borrow some other mics this is what I have (don't really want to borrow mics as this is probably going to be a completely drunken shit show of a weekend and I wouldn't want to risk someone else's gear in a hostile environment)

So the room has two large support columns one is near the center of the room  about 8-10 feet away from the stage (there is no stage so let's say the center vocal mic). It is about  one foot square which is where I'm getting stuck.

How in the hell can I hang a pair of big ass LD mics off of a 12" by 12" column or alternately

How can I clamp something in between the two columns which are about six feet apart that I could clamp the mics on 2 windtechs individually to spread out the weight?

The easiest solution I've been able to come up with is to ratchet strap a stand to the column in the center with some improvised spacers to keep it just a bit off the side of the column.

I have to get the mics up high enough to be above peoples heads ~9 ft  high and be able to run cables along the ceiling back to a corner where the gear bag will live (or maybe even back to the stock room 40-50 ft away).

 

You need a Rowi clamp They ALL have wood screws built into them. Even though a Rowi 76 is TINY, its all metal, and I've used my old pair of 480s + AT 8415 shocks on a Rowi 76, and it was still rock solid. They're just a PITA to find And if you can find a Rowi 103, it will DEFINITELY hold your LDs Its a bit bigger, but you can extend it out over 8" from the clamp, and since the bar is closing anyway, they wont care if there is a single screw hole in that post/column that is DFC

[F.O.Bean]

Need some input on a sort of unusual clamping necessity I have coming up soon.

I'm going to record three nights in a row at a friend's bar that is shutting down after 11 years. The place is tiny (holds 50 ppl packed) and using a stand is completely out of the question so clamping it is.
The bad news is I'm using ADK TLs and they are huge and heavy. Unless I can borrow some other mics this is what I have (don't really want to borrow mics as this is probably going to be a completely drunken shit show of a weekend and I wouldn't want to risk someone else's gear in a hostile environment)

So the room has two large support columns one is near the center of the room  about 8-10 feet away from the stage (there is no stage so let's say the center vocal mic). It is about  one foot square which is where I'm getting stuck.

How in the hell can I hang a pair of big ass LD mics off of a 12" by 12" column or alternately

How can I clamp something in between the two columns which are about six feet apart that I could clamp the mics on 2 windtechs individually to spread out the weight?

The easiest solution I've been able to come up with is to ratchet strap a stand to the column in the center with some improvised spacers to keep it just a bit off the side of the column.

I have to get the mics up high enough to be above peoples heads ~9 ft  high and be able to run cables along the ceiling back to a corner where the gear bag will live (or maybe even back to the stock room 40-50 ft away).

 

Another option that has worked well for me in the past when screwing into a venues post is my beloved Lowel Full Pole It is an extension that goes up to 7.5'!!! You can just duct tape it or bungie cord it to that center post, and it will DEFINITELY hold whatever mics you desire putting on it Tonedeaf and I have done that at a small place in Pittsburgh called the Club Cafe, that only holds MAYBE 100 people MAX, and it couldn't have worked out ANY better So if you tape/bungie it to that post, just put it up a few feet off the ground, and the Lowel full pole will take care of the rest since it goes up to 7.5' high!!!

BUT, if you don't have time to order it, then I would definitely just bungie/tape your stand to that pole and just keep the legs closed. That'll do the trick for sure!!!

[tim in jersey]

I'm self-promoting a bit here perhaps, but I love this thread and I'm glad to see it is still going strong...

[F.O.Bean]

I'm self-promoting a bit here perhaps, but I love this thread and I'm glad to see it is still going strong...

Its going on 3 years strong almost to the day

[DigiGal]

Also, I would consider taking a look at the Lowel extension poles.  They're a little more expensive than the Matthews extensions but are of heartier construction.  The big flaw I heard about the Matthews poles was that the plastic tightening collars would crack easily, rendering the extension pretty much useless.  The Manfrotto 122B is a solid piece of hardware, too, and what I use myself.

The clamps on the similar Lowel Omni Stands are made of metal but they are not perfect either. 
However, Lowell is great in offering replacement parts for purchase though.
Pictured here is a broken one that I replaced. 

[StarkRavingCalm]

So I am about to pull the trigger on Matthews Extension and the Impact SuperClamp but it looks like I will need an adapter to sit atop the extension  that will give me 5/8-27 male.

Anyone know of one?

My favorite way is

This (note the notch in each end, these help when you need to remove the adapter and it's in the female 5/8 27)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/232827-REG/K_M_21500_000_01_Reducer_Bushing_Converts_1_2.html

on this

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?sku=546490&Q=&O=&gclid=Cj0KEQiA-aujBRDqj772vpGfgooBEiQAzWAZUgCQ7Dhk0vyuDMXBtP4eIbo8d7jxHNFvw438rKK0K20aAr6Y8P8HAQ&is=REG&A=details

Purchased these four items and really like the combination.
Didn't get a chance to try them in the field this past weekend as I had hoped but I think the baby extension maybe shorter than I expected.

Is there an extension to the extension?

[ScoobieKW]

Purchased these four items and really like the combination.
Didn't get a chance to try them in the field this past weekend as I had hoped but I think the baby extension maybe shorter than I expected.

Is there an extension to the extension?

I like the Manfrotto 099b when I need a 3 - 8 foot pole.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546540-REG/Manfrotto_099B_3_Section_Extension_Pole_35.html

[F.O.Bean]

Also, I would consider taking a look at the Lowel extension poles.  They're a little more expensive than the Matthews extensions but are of heartier construction.  The big flaw I heard about the Matthews poles was that the plastic tightening collars would crack easily, rendering the extension pretty much useless.  The Manfrotto 122B is a solid piece of hardware, too, and what I use myself.

The clamps on the similar Lowel Omni Stands are made of metal but they are not perfect either. 
However, Lowell is great in offering replacement parts for purchase though.
Pictured here is a broken one that I replaced. 

Digi-Gal, I just had the exact same thing break on my Lowel Half Pole. So you said that they do have replacements of these? That's great news. Thanks

I just duct taped it so it didn't move, and I still get almost 3' of height out of it with the top bar open!

[2manyrocks]

What caused this clamp to break?  I wouldn't expect a metal clamp to break unless maybe it fell on a concrete floor.

[capnhook]

What caused this clamp to break?  I wouldn't expect a metal clamp to break unless maybe it fell on a concrete floor.

A stupid designer was the root cause.  Anyone can see there is insufficient inside corner radius at the fracture site ---- huge stress riser, fracture waiting to happen.

[StarkRavingCalm]

So I am about to pull the trigger on Matthews Extension and the Impact SuperClamp but it looks like I will need an adapter to sit atop the extension  that will give me 5/8-27 male.

Anyone know of one?

My favorite way is

This (note the notch in each end, these help when you need to remove the adapter and it's in the female 5/8 27)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/232827-REG/K_M_21500_000_01_Reducer_Bushing_Converts_1_2.html

on this

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?sku=546490&Q=&O=&gclid=Cj0KEQiA-aujBRDqj772vpGfgooBEiQAzWAZUgCQ7Dhk0vyuDMXBtP4eIbo8d7jxHNFvw438rKK0K20aAr6Y8P8HAQ&is=REG&A=details

Purchased these four items and really like the combination.
Didn't get a chance to try them in the field this past weekend as I had hoped but I think the baby extension maybe shorter than I expected.

Is there an extension to the extension?

I bought this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/33142-REG/Matthews_426016_Baby_Stand_Extension.html

But the spigot on the rapid adapter is too short. Looked on B&H but couldn't find one, at least now one that looked exactly like it but a little longer.

Anyone using this extension with a rapid adapter?

[DigiGal]

What caused this clamp to break?  I wouldn't expect a metal clamp to break unless maybe it fell on a concrete floor.

A stupid designer was the root cause.  Anyone can see there is insufficient inside corner radius at the fracture site ---- huge stress riser, fracture waiting to happen.

This, the stand never fell, it was just the normal stress of tightening the section.