Welded Connectors for shade structure?

[msenard]

Playa Friends, i need some help.

I built an aluminet shade structure last year with electrical steel pipes and electrical box connectors to hold them together. These connectors were too weak and couldn't resist the 2 storms, was a short of a disaster.

This year, i'm looking for welded connectors to hold the pipes together. I saw a few structures using these last year (Tuna Camp), but am not able to find them. Anyone with a lead?

Many thanks!
-Mat

[Dork]

Here's what I used:
http://www.all4canopy.com/Fitting_s/95.htm

Alternatively you could buy the next size up conduit and weld some together yourself but it would be a little tricky (welding thin material, welding galvanized metal without inhaling any zinc)

[Intubater69]

Heres another source that might have what your looking for,

http://www.shelters-to-go.com/siteindex.shtml

[msenard]

THANK YOU !!

[sputnik]

How big is your shade? Last year I had a 15 by 30 foot shade that I used 2x3's to support. It was light, sturdy and I was able to burn the wood at the end.

[gyre]

There are many different suppliers.
Many are weak.
These guys have a very wide selection.
You have to get a catalog to really see how much they have.
http://www.shelsys.com/

[cunfuzelled]

what i usualy do that cost less than buying connectors and poles etc.etc.

i buy a bundle of rope at my local salvage yard. something you would think is to strong for its uses. put pulls standing straight up and run rope in between them and to the ground. as long as the tops of your poles are above your head you don't have to worry about the cross rope

[TomServo]

Bought my connectors at Ace Hardware..sell them for 3/4 inch ETM and 1 inch. about $6-7 each. Only sell low peak attachments though. Got my tarps at shelters-to-go.com They sell valance tarps, peak tarps and the rectangular tarps in all types of material.