I am looking to update my current PVC booth wall setup with a
(hopefully) simpler and more one-person-friendly “pipe & drape”
setup. I didn’t get that originally both because as an artist I have
this desire to make everything myself, as well the fact that I didn’t
have the $$$ to put out for it when I first got started. I’m not
rolling in it now either, though, so I’d like to be as economical as
possible, but as I think I’ll have to do some setup on my own this
year, I feel this is the right thing to do. So, does anyone either
have a recommendation for a good but economical place from which to
get said pipes, OR does anyone have a setup that for whatever reason
they are looking to offload? Unless I can find just the right fabric,
I’m just looking for the pipes & such at this time, not the drapes,
as I plan to make those myself, or at least alter & continue using
the ones I already have.
While working for my former boss At the Tucson GJX show, I noticed a
sticker of the manufacturer was left on the pipe and drape system
they use at that show. So I snagged that sticker and stuffed it into
my pocket. When I got home from Tucson I called them and requested a
price list and catalog.
After looking at the price list, I concluded that buying them from
the manufacturer would be the same price as renting them from the
GJX for 2 shows. at that time we were doing about 15 shows a year.
I am looking to update my current PVC booth wall setup with a
(hopefully) simpler and more one-person-friendly "pipe & drape"
setup.
I am not sure what you’re trying to find, but if you also need an
outdoor tent, you might consider getting one of the styles that can
also be used indoors as “pipe and drape”. I have a Light Dome, and
the roof-support parts can be left off so that it is just the top
pipe and supports. The cross-pieces telescope, so the bag is about
6" long, and it is aluminum, so not too heavy. Plus, because it
telescopes, it can make any square or rectangle from 10’ down to
about 5 1/2’.
It is not cheap, and a little bit of a pain for one person to put
the top on, especially if short, but I do it by myself a lot. But it
looks good, never pools water in a storm, very sturdy, and comes
with skylight options.
I second Noel’s opinion about the Light Dome as a pipe and drape
alternative. I specifically got this model so I could also use the
framework as an indoor drape support. And the ability to collapse
the side tubes to adapt to a smaller size than 10x10 booth makes it
much more flexible. Plus I can often take advantage of the lower
price for a 10x8 or even 10x6 space. I just wish you could also do
this outside and still have the canopy fit!
The one downside of using it indoors, depending on how you look at
it, is that you either have to use the arched roof support pieces, or
leave them off and deal with the foot-long “horns” that stick up from
each corner. This can be an aesthetic issue, but I’ve seen a couple
of interesting decorating disguises. I usually just set up the whole
frame.
Although I’ve never done it, you could used the arched roof tubes to
support various lighting arrangements.
All in all, I’ve never regreted paying the premium price for a Light
Dome. I wouldn’t want to get caught in the rain under anything else!
Glen, I checked out that url (http://tinyurl.com/38x9uu) and it took
me to the US Plastic Corp, which doesn’t seem to offer any sort of
metal anything, let alone pipe setups. Should it have been something
else, perhaps?
Noel, thanks for the tip on the Light Dome. That would of course be
nice, to have one set of walls for inside or out, but I did just get
a tent last year. It’s an EZ-Up, a brand new style with a heavier
fabric. I’m pleased with it so far, although I used it on a gorgeous,
fairly calm day, so it wasn’t put to any real tests. I know the Light
Dome is one of the “good” ones, but I didn’t have the pocket change
for that one yet (although if I’d thought at the time that I’d be
investing this year in pipe & drape, too, the expense might have been
worth it!), so maybe sometime down the line. Nice to know,
though, that it can be versitile enough to use without the roof for
inside, although I’d wonder if it would be OK for me to setup by
myself, since you say it is a bit tricky. A thought to put away for
later, though, for sure.
Stan, thank you, too, for the link. I checked out the site you
recommended (http://www.innovative-sys.com) & am awaiting a price
list. So, we shall see!
Lisa
Designs by Lisa Gallagher www.designsbylisag.com
(writing from central PA where it’s FINALLY acting a bit like winter!)
Lisa that is the page for the plastic fitting to make your own frame
for the drapes the pipe is listed in the line above the external
fittings for pipe furniture at the top of the page. Here is another
page for the pipe
Noel, thanks for the tip on the Light Dome. [snip] Nice to know,
though, that it can be versitile enough to use without the roof
for inside, although I'd wonder if it would be OK for me to setup
by myself, since you say it is a bit tricky. A thought to put away
for later, though, for sure.
It isn’t tricky, it is quite easy (though not nearly as quick as the
aptly-named EZ Up). It is just a bit of a pain to get the canopy in
place on the framework for one person alone-- especially a short
person. Even before you extend the legs, the center of the framework
is out of reach-- and I am 5’ 7" (well, OK, I’m probably closer to
5’ 6" now. Did anyone tell you you would shrink?) Clearly, this is
not an issue indoors.
If anyone has figured out a way around this problem, I’d love to
hear. Other than hiring a taller, younger helper, that is!
I have a Light Dome and was 5’6" the last time I checked. Anyway, I
use a step ladder to get the top on the canopy. My 6’4" husband can
put it on without the step ladder.
If anyone has figured out a way around this problem, I'd love to
hear. Other than hiring a taller, younger helper, that is!
Harbor Fright has a very nice Aluminum step stool close to 12 inches
tall and 12"x16 wide on the top of the support very well made. It
folds down to about 4" tall and the legs lock and has a handle. I
bought two of them when they came out the first time last year. I use
the for steps,seats, and the two of them to hold up my 16 foot
aluminum Plank when I did the overhang on my parents house. they are
currently on sale at the stores for $26.99 Reg. $32.99 good for
330LBS capacity. The big boxes stores have them by a ladder company
for twice the price. The only drawback is they ones I have were made
in Viet Nam. After 3 tours over there I still feel strange buying
product from there. Life does go on.
The other thing is it isn’t currently listed in the on line catalog,
so that means you have to call them and place an order if not near a
store.
ITEM #92582 Haulmaster Aluminum step stool $26.99 on sale in the
current store flyer.
Once you get one you will wonder how you did things with out it. I’m
knocking on 6 foot and I use them all the time. Have one for the
house and one for the shop.
I have a Showoff from new venture products, and I have no problem
ever putting the top on the tent. I put it on after assembling the
top frame and prior to putting the legs on the top. I can do it by
myself although with help it goes a bit faster. I clip the top to
the frame in each corner so when I lift it up it doesn’t slide off.
I then attach the legs, one at a time.
It took a bit to figure out how it all worked, but it’s fine now and
I really like the tent. I’ve used the frame indoors, and the
thingies that hold up the top arches are only about 4 or 5 inches
long so it’s pretty easy to ignore them or camouflage them.
It always better to have a helper or ask a neighbor for help. I’m
5’1" and have the Light Dome, I use a 3 step ladder most of the time.
I figure out where the front is, pull the back end over the pipes and
then tighten down the corners. I have not encountered a shrinking
problem- or maybe I’m so low to the ground that I’ve just not
noticed.
Nice to know,