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canopy weights (ballast)

updated tue 4 apr 00

 

O'Brien Tyrrell on sat 1 apr 00

-------------------
I need to make some weights for my show canopy. I have a Light Dome that I =
have
used for a number of years without any problems. Up until now I have not =
done
any shows on asphalt with this canopy, just grass. I would like to make the
ones using plastic plumbing pipe. I checked the archives but the one entry =
did
not show the diameter. Any other suggestions in addition or instead of the
pipe?
Thank you,
O'Brien

David Gordon on sat 1 apr 00

It works well to use 3" or 4" schedule 40 PVC pipe. I cap one end and fill
almost full with wet concrete mix and then cap the other end with a cleanout
cap (one with a square knob on it--drilled out for hanging on bungy hooks.
You can also use a large eye bolt placed in the concrete before it sets up.

The length of pipe depends on how much you feel like carrying around. My
pipes are 3' long and 3" wide--so that each pipe weighs approx. 22 lbs. I
hang 2 from each corner. This is probably minimal. It might be better to
have 50+ lbs on each corner, although I haven't had any problems as yet.

Good luck,

David
----- Original Message -----
From: O'Brien Tyrrell
To:
Sent: Saturday, April 01, 2000 1:08 PM
Subject: canopy weights (ballast)


----------------------------Original message----------------------------
-------------------
I need to make some weights for my show canopy. I have a Light Dome that I
have
used for a number of years without any problems. Up until now I have not
done
any shows on asphalt with this canopy, just grass. I would like to make the
ones using plastic plumbing pipe. I checked the archives but the one entry
did
not show the diameter. Any other suggestions in addition or instead of the
pipe?
Thank you,
O'Brien

Knox Steinbrecher on sun 2 apr 00

I too, have been meaning to make those weights for years now. Meantime I use
a 25# block of clay in each corner...two on very windy days. No problems
with my light dome either.

knox

Jan Lipuma on sun 2 apr 00

O'Brien,

My Light Doome (god, I hope not) DOME,also needs ballast. I am planning to
do the concrete into 4" PVC savaged from building sites (Pave that damn
bluegrass) and put caps with eye hooks.

I wonder if it is safer in real situations, if an eyehook was concreted
into both ends so the bottom would be bungied to the frame also, rather
than hanging free? I have seen some people who used coffee cans, and some
with jugs (too ugly for our classy Domes) or PVC sealed on the bottom and
filled with water. The water has the advantage of not hauling such dead
weight. Think I'll try filling one and see what it weighs.

Hope we all have a safe season,
jan

>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>-------------------
>I need to make some weights for my show canopy. I have a Light Dome that
>I have
>used for a number of years without any problems. Up until now I have not done
>any shows on asphalt with this canopy, just grass. I would like to make the
>ones using plastic plumbing pipe. I checked the archives but the one entry did
>not show the diameter. Any other suggestions in addition or instead of the
>pipe?
>Thank you,
>O'Brien

Janice Lipuma
jlipuma@mindspring.com
Blue Moon Studio Pottery
Lexington KY USA

Larry K Buell on mon 3 apr 00

I think the concrete plumbing pipe are the neatest in appearance we,use the
4" pipe. I have seen people use 5 gallon water containers..some of which
are collapsible. The beauty of these is you don't have to carry all that
weight with you...just get to the show..fill the containers with water (the
container needs to have a handle) when the show is over empty.

----------
From: O'Brien Tyrrell
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Subject: canopy weights (ballast)
Date: Saturday, April 01, 2000 2:08 PM

----------------------------Original message----------------------------
-------------------
I need to make some weights for my show canopy. I have a Light Dome that I
have
used for a number of years without any problems. Up until now I have not
done
any shows on asphalt with this canopy, just grass. I would like to make
the
ones using plastic plumbing pipe. I checked the archives but the one entry
did
not show the diameter. Any other suggestions in addition or instead of the
pipe?
Thank you,
O'Brien
----------

John Weber on mon 3 apr 00

If you use the 6" (approximate) diameter pipe and about 4 feet long, it will
give you plenty of weight. However, if you can find access to one of these
first, I would recommend you try to lift it, carry it, and hang it on a rope
-- just to test out if you can handle the weight. It does you no good if you
can't lift and handle it.

ILENE MAHLER on mon 3 apr 00

If you weigh the tent down with jugs of water you have something to
drink while you are working the show...thats what I used to do when I
was doing outdoor shows Ilene in Conn

O'Brien Tyrrell wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> -------------------
> I need to make some weights for my show canopy. I have a Light Dome that I ha
> used for a number of years without any problems. Up until now I have not don
> any shows on asphalt with this canopy, just grass. I would like to make the
> ones using plastic plumbing pipe. I checked the archives but the one entry di
> not show the diameter. Any other suggestions in addition or instead of the
> pipe?
> Thank you,
> O'Brien