Cradle Design for video and slide projectors

[JelSill]

Does anyone have/know of any designs for making a cradle to hang from a scaffold pole (the lighting rig). I have Kodak Carosel slide projectors and video projectors of various makes.
I have a few ideas for designs, but I'd like to know of designs that are simple but flexible- can be tilted etc but also be able top secure the projectors, as I don't really want any accidents!

[Anyone]

try contacting my friend Paul,
he lives in Brixton(ish)

He's about to help out another friend of mine
to build a versatile craddle like the one you describe.

I know he's quite busy, if he cant help you,
he will certainly give you a contact of someone who can...

proscanuk@aol.com

good luck,
VJ NE1

[2Bit]

We've got both slide & vi proj cradles. After looking @ the industry standard unicol mounts & prices & nearly choking, we drew up some designs (1 specific to our vid projs, 1 mainly for our slide projs (kodak 2050's & elmo 252/3's) which are large enough to accomodate a variety of vid proj's) & had a local metalworker make 'em up.

They attatch to 2" lighting rigs (tho clamp is interchangeable), can have different length poles attatched, are moveable 360 degrees horizontally & about 140 vertically (or something like that).

THey're sturdy as but the slide cradles are quite bulky & not v sexy looking.

If you're still looking for cradles, drop us a line

Jme

2BitTV

[Anyone]

hi jme,

this may be out of topic,
but I've been meaning to catch up with you...

I've got your number,
let's speak soon...
oli ( VJ NE1 )

[ElektroMotif]

The main manufacturers of cradles and clamp (G-hook / uphooks) for lighting truss.

Are

Unicol - Cradles / trays for specific models but expensive!



Unicol Website (http://www.unicol.com/)

[telekinetix]

So no-one actually has any plans then ?

I find this very surprising as various people have mentioned building thier own.

I'm sure they would prove an invaluable resource if they were posted on the boards here!

[alangeering]

My last one was over engineered (I and my brother could hang off it).
I recycled wood from an old piece of furniture.
Wooden base drilled in the correct points for projector attachment (as per diagram at back of manual).

Then very strong wodden arms and top bar with clamps on.
Use 2 clamps when you know it's going to be pointed straight. 1 when you need to swivel.

My design was for one specific projector so other larger ones would not fit.

When we do thiese things its often to a very chort deadline so we don't produce very neat plans. They are one-offs.

[deepvisual]

make this out of small gauge aluminium tube and kee klamp.
put a hook clamp or similar on the top
if you drill and pop rivet the klamps it will pass a safety test.
you can add some board if you want to adjust the feet on the projector.

[deepvisual]

rent one of these.

[telekinetix]

rent one of these.
Where from ?

I's prefer to build my own so thanks for the images I reckon i could copy from those!

[deepvisual]

you can rent one from

www.deepvisual.com

The VJ Store.

(of course)

[ristuuk]

ill try and take a photo at the weekrnd...but ive got some made from a cheap aluminium ladder

cut with two rungs...top rung drilled for g clamp...bottom rung metal tray attached...very simple very light very sturdy and look good! believe it or not!
no welding required!

[telekinetix]

you can rent one from

www.deepvisual.com

The VJ Store.

(of course)

Couldn't find any cradle info on your site OR your hire list, and I dont live in London so not much good for me but thanks anyway. Would you be willing to share any sort of technical schematic you used in the creation of yours?


ristuuk - thats sounds pretty intresting and mildy perilous! will have to see the photos to judge properly!

[stulloyd]

I've just made one of these, with no welding! Used btech universal projector coupler a ceiling pole mount also by btech, and a lighting clamp screwed to the top with two large washers. Total cost ?50.00 will post piccy later, it's at home.

[deepvisual]

Couldn't find any cradle info on your site OR your hire list, and I dont live in London so not much good for me but thanks anyway. !


it is on the price list ,
carousel hanging tray.
but maybe I need to make it more obvious...
6.25 a day..

Gary

[VGA]

6.25p per day arf them 25p's are gonna make u rich.
aluminium ladder sounds like the right approach.
my new name is gonna be VJ 50p cuz thats all I spend on gear.
i think one of the things is to make a cradel specificially for your type of projector, mine weight almost nothing so I reckon plastics and wood arn't bad ideas. wood!

[telekinetix]

yeah dont think i would risk using anything but metal even if it was a light projector!! Would probably try and build it around my projector though.

deepvisual - ah i see now sorry i couldnt recognise it baing called a carousel hanging tray, i thought that was something to do with a fairground horse ride! :rolleyes:

Anyone taken anymore pictures of thier homemade cradles yet ? :poke:

[deepvisual]

i think one of the things is to make a cradel specificially for your type of projector, mine weight almost nothing so I reckon plastics and wood arn't bad ideas. wood!

wood???

- heard about the manager of the heavy metal band getting 4 years for setting fire to the club they were playing in and killing most of the audience?

http://torontosun.com/News/World/2006/05/11/1574532-sun.html

everything used in public events in the UK has to be PAT tested and fireproof by law, which is a bitch, I know but thats the way it is. There was a big fire in a blackpool nightclub in the 60s, lots of people died and its been that way ever since. So it may be cheaper to get your screens and cradles from the oxfam shop but its isn:t safe or legal.
I used to use beer crates when I started out, first big gig I did, they wouldn't let me work in the venue for having unsafe kit...

you'll get away with wood in a pub, but you could easily end up doing time if things go wrong

[telekinetix]

why did they use highly flammable foam to line the walls of the club in the first place!!!! ????:nono: and exactly 100 people were killed......... and why wasn't there time and sufficiant exits for them to get out in time - they would have seen the fire instantly, surely people dying is mostly the clubs fault for being so unsafe............hmm something not quite right about that story...

anyway, i'm in agreement on the above point on having safe kit!:cheers:

deepvisual - Is it possible to get something 'PAT tested' for example a self-made cradle so it would be legal for club use? :shrug:

[alangeering]

PAT test only applies to electrical equipment.

[deepvisual]

brendand at insight lighting has a PAT tester.
020 7226 1078

I'll ask around about rigging...

[telekinetix]

BUMP!!:yep:

Post the pictures that you PROMISED to take infidels!!:grrr:

:)

[telekinetix]

We made our cradle from metal mostly bought from B&Q for about 30 pounds. Only bit that we couldn't get from there was the hook clamp which was 5 pounds from Stage Electrics.

Here are some pics, should be able to see how we made it from the pics but if anyone wants instructions or design notes I'll try and post a simple and easy to follow guide to making your own! Ours was made for a BenQ MP610 projector. It was tested at a 500 capacity venue on friday night and worked a treat! Didn't fall on one persons head.....not one!:yep:
http://www.photobloggers.net/photos/telekinetix/dbfebd_dsc01355.jpg
http://www.photobloggers.net/photos/telekinetix/fadeef_dsc01351.jpg
http://www.photobloggers.net/photos/telekinetix/efeafe_dsc01353.jpg