menace arm with aluminium pipe at DVinfo.net

Paul Mailath · June 10th, 2023, 10:48 PM

I'm looking at getting the Kupo menage arm kit - https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...2855/KBID/3801

The recommendation is gal pipe but I'm wondering if I can get away with aluminium pipe. I understand that the tensile strength is much less and with a heavy light, the pipe would be much more likely to fail but the pipe is supported by ratchet straps that can hold 100's of kilo's.

Surely I don't need gal pipe to hold an Aputure 600 at the end of the boom.

Has anyone tried this, any horror stories about a light smacking the talent into next week when if failed?

Larrie Easterly · June 12th, 2023, 10:33 PM

There is a better chance of deforming the aluminum pipe when you tighten up the screw clamps. Once deformed it may be harder to take apart.

Paul Mailath · June 13th, 2023, 05:55 PM

that's a really good point, I hadn't thought of that

Allan Black · June 13th, 2023, 06:12 PM

Hi Paul, maybe get in touch with this crowd they might help with various thickness aluminium pipes. You could buy a short piece to test its strength when you tighten it …

https://www.ullrich.com.au/products/...d-Hollow-Tube/

I’d also ask their opinions and advice from the reviews, questions and answers on the B&H site …

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1467254-REG/kupo_kg603612_pipe_boom_rig_kit.html/qa/BI/2855/KBID/3801

Cheers.

Paul R Johnson · June 15th, 2023, 08:26 AM

It's designed for 1.5" pipe, so I'd not have an issue with thick walled aluminium 1.5 to 2mm wall thickness. That also resists deformation from screwing down tight. The snag with the thin stuff is that the strap, with centre standoff is very strong and the collapse danger comes from tube compression. Thick wall is good in compression, but thin wall is better in tension - it tends to fold in compression. Galvanised steel pipe of that diameter is VERY strong. Here in the UK we use 1.5"m thick wall for longer TV antennas and it's pretty tough and takes the bolts screwed into it pretty well. The thin wall stuff is vastly weaker.

Paul Mailath · June 20th, 2023, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allan Black

Hi Paul, maybe get in touch with this crowd they might help with various thickness aluminium pipes.

Cheers.

Good link! Thanks Allan - I'll get some to test

June 10th, 2023, 10:48 PM	#1
Paul Mailath Trustee Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Central Coast - NSW, Australia Posts: 1,606	menace arm with aluminium pipe I'm looking at getting the Kupo menage arm kit - https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...2855/KBID/3801 The recommendation is gal pipe but I'm wondering if I can get away with aluminium pipe. I understand that the tensile strength is much less and with a heavy light, the pipe would be much more likely to fail but the pipe is supported by ratchet straps that can hold 100's of kilo's. Surely I don't need gal pipe to hold an Aputure 600 at the end of the boom. Has anyone tried this, any horror stories about a light smacking the talent into next week when if failed? __________________ Cheers - Paul M. www.perbenyik.com

June 12th, 2023, 10:33 PM	#2
Larrie Easterly Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Oregon City Posts: 42	Re: menace arm with aluminium pipe There is a better chance of deforming the aluminum pipe when you tighten up the screw clamps. Once deformed it may be harder to take apart. __________________ Travel blog, www.luinil.com.

June 13th, 2023, 05:55 PM	#3
Paul Mailath Trustee Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Central Coast - NSW, Australia Posts: 1,606	Re: menace arm with aluminium pipe that's a really good point, I hadn't thought of that __________________ Cheers - Paul M. www.perbenyik.com

June 13th, 2023, 06:12 PM	#4
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,892	Re: menace arm with aluminium pipe Hi Paul, maybe get in touch with this crowd they might help with various thickness aluminium pipes. You could buy a short piece to test its strength when you tighten it … https://www.ullrich.com.au/products/...d-Hollow-Tube/ I’d also ask their opinions and advice from the reviews, questions and answers on the B&H site … https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1467254-REG/kupo_kg603612_pipe_boom_rig_kit.html/qa/BI/2855/KBID/3801 Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.

June 15th, 2023, 08:26 AM	#5
Paul R Johnson Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lowestoft - UK Posts: 4,037	Re: menace arm with aluminium pipe It's designed for 1.5" pipe, so I'd not have an issue with thick walled aluminium 1.5 to 2mm wall thickness. That also resists deformation from screwing down tight. The snag with the thin stuff is that the strap, with centre standoff is very strong and the collapse danger comes from tube compression. Thick wall is good in compression, but thin wall is better in tension - it tends to fold in compression. Galvanised steel pipe of that diameter is VERY strong. Here in the UK we use 1.5"m thick wall for longer TV antennas and it's pretty tough and takes the bolts screwed into it pretty well. The thin wall stuff is vastly weaker.