Pipe pipe pipe...

[Inappropriate]

Hello all,

I am planning on constructing an art piece this year that involves 5 poles and a hand full of old glass and wood windows. So I figure I would run you all through what I was thinking and see if anyone has suggestions.

I am planning on using 4' and 8' pieces of 1 1/2" EMT Conduit pipe with fittings to make 4 T's, attach 30"x34" windows to these pipes about halfway up and plant them in the ground using screw in bases which I will be 15" lag bolting into the ground as well as using lag bolts as anchors for 2 tie lines each. In the center of these 4 T's will be a 10' pipe with three windows in a triangle that can rotate (maybe). From each T will stretch fabric triangles to the center 10' pipe.

Now 2 questions,
a. If I attach all four poles to the center pole will I need tie lines for it or will the four poles with their double tie lines be enough to hold it up against playa winds
b. Can this be done with lighter weight/cheaper pipe? 1 1/2" is like $12 a pipe.
c. Rope vs ratchet straps for guidelines?
Thanks!

[Token]

Dammit, I thought this would be about smoking fine tobacco.

Sucks.

[tatonka]

I also thought it would be something different

[EspressoDude]

how fast is it supposed to spin in the wind? ooh blinky lights (window reflection)

EMT is about the wimpiest construction material there is, besides tissue paper, balsa, or schedule 10 pvc

if you think it might not be strong enough, it probably isn't

[Popeye]

If you are going with 1 1/2, fence rail instead of EMT might be cheaper.

[mooserider]

Hello all,

I am planning on constructing an art piece this year that involves 5 poles and a hand full of old glass and wood windows. So I figure I would run you all through what I was thinking and see if anyone has suggestions.

I am planning on using 4' and 8' pieces of 1 1/2" EMT Conduit pipe with fittings to make 4 T's, attach 30"x34" windows to these pipes about halfway up and plant them in the ground using screw in bases which I will be 15" lag bolting into the ground as well as using lag bolts as anchors for 2 tie lines each. In the center of these 4 T's will be a 10' pipe with three windows in a triangle that can rotate (maybe). From each T will stretch fabric triangles to the center 10' pipe.

Did you say "glass"? Uh, how is the glass going to be protected from breaking? If you're talking about windows like those old double-hung windows, that glass is pretty fragile and definitely makes some serious sharp shards if it breaks. Are you going to stick transparent adhesive plastic sheets over the glass to hold it together (sort of like the inner layer of safety glass, but inside-out) to protect against injury and MOOP?

[Inappropriate]

I did say 'Glass' windows. Attached to the glass are prints of photos that are wheat pasted to the whole thing so the glue as well as the paper should hold the whole thing together should anything break.
As for rotating in the wind, the single pole where they rotate (if I build it to spin) Will have a deceleration system that should prevent the wind from really getting that thing cooking.

So it sounds like EMT pipe is a bad idea. Any other suggestions?

[Popeye]

EMT isn't a bad idea, but if you need something as strong as 1 1/2 then fence rail might be cheaper. I don't think we have- at least I don't- a good picture of what you are doing. A lazy susan inside a cube? spins with the wind? How about some prints?

[some seeing eye]

A drawing would help.

[trilobyte]

I'm giving this a nudge over to the Q&A board, since that's a better fit. The Preparation category is better suited to project-related questions and problem-solving, where the year-specific event boards are for announcing and updating about on-playa projects.