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

[jadedphan]

Hey now,

I had some questions about the setup in the picture at the link below. There were several tapers at the trey acoustic show I did using the same setup.

> https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/114775014104918758740/albums/5667528821496032545 

2 questions:

1) what type of clamp is holding the extension bar?
2) what, exactly, is the extension bar? Is it homemade, or purchased?

Thanks in advance,
-bry

Photos: https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/114775014104918758740/albums/5667528821496032545  <- let me know if the link works. Google photos still baffles me at times.
Results: http://www.archive.org/details/rre2011-10-06.mk4v.din.flac16

Have fun, reply, and share your wisdom.

ETA: added links so they appear on 1st post...

clamp cap screw replacement
Best clamp for theater seat arms
Clamping to Balcony Handrail
Need help with Clamp and extension pole
Innovative Set-Ups
My Versatile Extension Pole - With Pics
Balcony Clamp Question
Clamps - weights
clamps for a thick beam?
POLL: How many clamps do you own?
newbie to clamps needs assistance please
Help With Balcony Clamping
clamps
ISO stand accessory-- do you know of one?
Rowi Ballheads for clamps
Homemade clamps and hangers
Clamping at Red Rocks' FOH rail
Photos of Safety Cable in use <-- Links back to this thread, but thought I'd add it anyhow...
Clamp help!
First time clamping from a balcony (sorry pictures are kind of dark)
Windtech clamp question
super clamp handle threading?
Using an endless ratchet strap for securing a stand
[/quote]

[vanark]

Looks like a superclamp with a short extension pole. Can't tell which extension pole.

[jcable77]

Might be the Matthews “12 or 16” baby extension
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/33142-REG/Matthews_426016_Baby_Stand_Extension.html
And a chrome super clamp. Just guessing.

[tim in jersey]

Might be the Matthews “12 or 16” baby extension
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/33142-REG/Matthews_426016_Baby_Stand_Extension.html
And a chrome super clamp. Just guessing.

My photo. Bogen/Manfrotto  Superclamp. Black, not chrome, just a shitty phone pic. 

Extension bar is a Photek that I picked up used @ a local photo store for about 10 bucks 20+ years ago. Each end has a 5/8" brass stud that fits the Superclamp.

One end has a 1/4" thread and the other a 3/8" thread.  I use a: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546490-REG/Manfrotto_014_38_014_38_Rapid_Adapter.html?sts=pi and 3/8">5/8" adapter to fit my shock mount...

[heathen]

After doing some research in old threads, I'm thinking about getting a Matthews Matthellini clamp: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/161307-REG/Matthews_420110_Matthellini_Clamp_2.html

I'd envision using it primarily on the rail at Red Rocks or drink rails in clubs.  Does anyone have experience with a Matthellini (or Cardllini) they can share?

Also, will pretty much any of the Matthews/Manfrotto extension poles work with the Matthellini?

[tim in jersey]

After doing some research in old threads, I'm thinking about getting a Matthews Matthellini clamp: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/161307-REG/Matthews_420110_Matthellini_Clamp_2.html

I'd envision using it primarily on the rail at Red Rocks or drink rails in clubs.  Does anyone have experience with a Matthellini (or Cardllini) they can share?

Also, will pretty much any of the Matthews/Manfrotto extension poles work with the Matthellini?

That thing built like a tank. It has a 5/8" male stud so it will accommodate either of the extension poles you mention.

Only issue is it was primarily designed to clamp to round bars/tubes. Don't know if I'd trust it on a flat surface unless I was running just actives sans extension pole...

[heathen]

Don't know if I'd trust it on a flat surface unless I was running just actives sans extension pole...

It looks pretty sturdy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdwtYJokkHc

But of course I'd like to hear anyone's first-hand experience with it.

[tim in jersey]

Don't know if I'd trust it on a flat surface unless I was running just actives sans extension pole...

It looks pretty sturdy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdwtYJokkHc

But of course I'd like to hear anyone's first-hand experience with it.

I've used it plenty of times to clamp to rails and flat surfaces. Clamping to flat surfaces always made me a bit nervous. I prefer flat jaws, but that is personal preference...

[heathen]

I've used it plenty of times to clamp to rails and flat surfaces. Clamping to flat surfaces always made me a bit nervous. I prefer flat jaws, but that is personal preference...

Oh sorry I didn't realize you'd used one.  So were you able to make it work on a flat surface with extension pole?  How sketchy was it?

[mfrench]

Do they have wedge inserts available?

Sorry I can't answer directly, shy of playing with one at a H.wood Rigging/Sound/Vid supply.
But I am left with this,...
I like the look of parallel jaws. Those square, parallel, flange edges to the jaws ought to give a better grip than the SuperClamps. Those parallel jaws are a huge advantage there.

[mnm207]

I've got one of those Matthellini clamps. It'll clamp to a flat surface and hold a good bit of weight. A couple of mics on an extension arm shouldn't phase it. I'd be cautious  putting too much torque on it when clamped to a flat surface, for instance using that extension arm as a boom.  I use mine for rigging strobes.

[if_then_else]

I can also confirm that it works great with flat surfaces.

Clamped a couple of times to bars/counters, tables, poles, lighting rails, stage lip (of var. dimensions) and never had a problem.
I'd only worry if a surface (like a bar/counter) was **not** perfectly flat but cone-shaped. But, in such a situation,, some wedges won't help you, either.

Make sure to get a Manfrotto swivel adapter (or equivalent), too - unless you already own one.

[heathen]

At a local venue one of the best spots to set up mics would be on a column that's nearly DFC and close to the stage, but setting up a stand there will not work because of the amount of traffic and people.  Some of us were talking about clamping to the column.  It's a rectangular column, I'd estimate 6" x 8".  Anyone have recommendations?

[if_then_else]

At a local venue one of the best spots to set up mics would be on a column that's nearly DFC and close to the stage, but setting up a stand there will not work because of the amount of traffic and people.  Some of us were talking about clamping to the column.  It's a rectangular column, I'd estimate 6" x 8".  Anyone have recommendations?

Matthellini center jaw clamp + Extendellini extension.
(The extension cannot be used with end jaw clamps.)

[rocksuitcase]

Heathen, this is a medium sized wood clamp attached to this 8-10 inch square column; then you can clamp to the clamp with just about anything!