Simplified Building Concepts - Kee Klamp, Kee Lite, Connectors, Railings

Thursday, September 02, 2010

What Size Pipe Should I Use?

Recently we had this question come up on our fourms.  We did some internal research and talked about it as a staff and below is a short guide to what size pipe you should use based on the application.

Size	N.B.	O.D.	Example Applications
4	1/2”	0.840”	Very Light Frames
5	3/4”	1.050”	Decorative Accents Light Frames Retail Stands and Racks
6	1”	1.315”	Racks (e.g. clothing) Tent / Shade Structures Greenhouse Construction Light Duty Frames Enclosures (e.g. Sports Netting) Signage Supports Retail Stands and Racks Athletic Training (e.g. Pull Up Bar)
7	1-1/4”	1.660”	ADA Handrail Standard Handrail OSHA Guardrail Medium Duty Frames (e.g Bed Frames) Awning Frames Carport Heavy Duty Racks (e.g. Fire Wood) Parkour (Gymnastics) Tables / Benches Custom Desk
8	1-1/2”	1.900”	OSHA Guardrail Standard Guardrail Parkour (Gymnastics) Heavy Duty Frames (e.g. Solar Panel)
9	2”	2.375”	Extra Heavy Duty Frames (e.g. Storage Shed) “Overbuilt” Railings Weight Bearing Racks

Pipe Chart

Our pipe size chart gives you an idea of the relative sizes of pipe.

Friday, March 05, 2010

Making an Inexpensive Pipe/Pole Monitor Mount

Recently we posted a completed computer gaming chair from Don Sturrock.  I am in the middle of a project (details coming soon) where I want to mount a monitor to a horizontal pole.  I remembered Don’s project and asked him how he attached his monitor.  He was kind enough to share the details and a few pictures.  I thought others would be interested on how to attach a monitor to pole or pipe, so here are the details:

Details from Don

 

For my monitor I used two flat 3"x5" nail plates from Home Depot and a 6" long piece of alderwood 1x4. I attached the nail plates to the 1x4 with six #4 x 3/4" screws and then lined up the monitor mount holes onto the plates, drilled them out, painted it with RustOleum Flat Black Enamel and used the screws from the monitor to attach to the plates (see pic). The metal clamps have a good bite on the pipe so I feel the monitor is secure (22" monitor).

I also sent a pic of the underside of the keyboard. you can see the velcro that attaches it to the 16" long 1x4 alderwood and the plastic clamps (sorry for the fuzzy picture).

Downsides of this Approach

In looking at this mounting approach, it may be inexpensive but there are probably some downsides to be recognized

 
• Not sure how this will work on a vertical pole – Don mounted to a horizontal pole (that’s what I’m planning on doing.)  I’m not sure how this would hold if mounted on a vertical pole or pipe.
 
• Scratches up the pipe – Judging from the pictures, adjusting the monitor (because of the bite of the clamps) scratches up the pipe pretty good.  If you’re doing something that has to have really clean look then this might not work for you.

 

The Alternatives

A decent pipe mount looks like it’s going to cost you a couple of dollars.

All pricing as of March 5, 2010.

                                                                                                                               

	Triple-Pivot Pipe-Mount Monitor Bracket Kit, Pipe Clamp (fits 1.5" dia. pipe) $50.00 – looks plastic not sure about durability
	Direct Pole Monitor Mount – Silver $119.00 – I know someone who has used these satisfactorily.
	Pole Mount Monitor Arm              $69.00 – not sure what pipe size this will work with (I’m going to find out)
	Ergotron - Pole mount kit            $52.92 – Picture is sketchy, not sure about the function or the quality
	CCTV Garage VTLCD PMT LCD Monitor Swivel Pole Mount $36.48 – This one looks promising. (here it is even cheaper)
	Chief KPP110S Flat Panel Pivot/Tilt Pole Mount $72.99
	Chief Dual Swing Arm Pole LCD Mount - KPD-110 $161.49

 

Speak Up.. add you 2 cents.

If anyone else knows of (or has an idea about) how to inexpensively attach a monitor to a pipe or pole, then please leave a note in the comments or shoot me an email: chris – at – simplifiedbuilding.com

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Printable Pipe Chart

Pipe is not always easy to measure.  We have tried to make it a little simpler by providing a printable pipe chart.  To use this chart, click on the image (a full size version will appear).  Set your printer to landscape mode and print the graphic full size.  It’s important to make sure that your printer is not scaling the image to make it fit on the paper—scaling the image will make measurement inaccurate.