Prop for Gymnastic Display @ 2015 World Gymnaestrada in Finland – Moreton Bay Figtree

[crowie]

I'd appreciate some assistance in sourcing the corner joiners for this "Prop" for Gymnastic Display @ 2015 World Gymnaestrada in Finland – Moreton Bay Figtree made from material with a 20mm conduit frame to support it.....

I need to locally source the 120deg corner joiners....my thoughts were to try a tent or gazebo supply for the parts??

I've added a "pdf file" of the tree truck draped over the clothes line plus a sketch of what the proposed support will look like!!

We are hoping to use 20mm electrical conduit as it's cheap and light weight for transporting plus will facilitate easy assembly for
the performances across Helsinki over a 10 day period.....

Thank you in advanced for all and any assistance.....Cheers, crowie

[crowie]

Lots of views but no replies.....surely someone can offer some assistance please.....crowie

[jaksam]

I've had a look through a Clipsal catalogue and unfortunately, there are no 120 degree 3 way or 4 way junction boxes.

The only option I could suggest would be to use a single entry (one way) junction box and then drill the walls at 120 degrees for screwed to plain adaptors. Screwed to plain adaptors aren't meant to work on a curved surface, but you may get away with it for this design. Also, the "nut" on the adapter can let go if it gets too much side ways stress (it is only plastic after all).

If you want to move away from commercial fittings, particularly for the 120 degree connections, you could drill a suitably sized block of wood at what ever angle you needed..

I agree with your statement that 20 mm conduit is light and flexbile, but it may be too flexible if it has to support something other than minimal weight, particularly on long spans. 25mm conduit may be a better proposition if this is a problem.

There are plenty of fittings if you are looking for 90 degree intersections.

PM me you want a pdf version of the Clipsal conduit fitting catalogue. I am on a road trip for the next week and a bit, so I may not pick up your PM too quickly. Otherwise, try the following link.

http://updates.clipsal.com/ClipsalOnline/Files/Brochures/CMS0003.pdf

Good luck

jaksam

[crowie]

I've had a look through a Clipsal catalogue and unfortunately, there are no 120 degree 3 way or 4 way junction boxes.

The only option I could suggest would be to use a single entry (one way) junction box and then drill the walls at 120 degrees for screwed to plain adaptors. Screwed to plain adaptors aren't meant to work on a curved surface, but you may get away with it for this design. Also, the "nut" on the adapter can let go if it gets too much side ways stress (it is only plastic after all).

If you want to move away from commercial fittings, particularly for the 120 degree connections, you could drill a suitably sized block of wood at what ever angle you needed..

I agree with your statement that 20 mm conduit is light and flexbile, but it may be too flexible if it has to support something other than minimal weight, particularly on long spans. 25mm conduit may be a better proposition if this is a problem.

There are plenty of fittings if you are looking for 90 degree intersections.

PM me you want a pdf version of the Clipsal conduit fitting catalogue. I am on a road trip for the next week and a bit, so I may not pick up your PM too quickly. Otherwise, try the following link.

http://updates.clipsal.com/ClipsalOnline/Files/Brochures/CMS0003.pdf

Good luck

jaksam

Thank you sir...maybe I'll have to got to 20mm underground conduit as it is heavy duty??
I'd selected 20mm as I believe it's a common pole size for gazebos and the like...
The round conduit junction box was something I'd thought about but wasn't such of the stability of the screwed to plain adaptors??
I did have an old clipsal catalogue from my engineering procurement days somewhere so will try to find it; barring that I have a good relationship with one of the local electrical wholesalers and may need to visit.....
Again thank you....cheers, crowie

[jaksam]

A couple of more thoughts ...

High pressure plastic water pipe may be stiffer (not black poly pipe).

The difference in stiffness between HD and LD conduit is not a lot.

Instead of using junction boxes to get the angles, you could use four way junction boxes and bend the conduit to suit. 20mm conduit bends fairly easily with a bending spring.

[Mobyturns]

Crowie, try the recycle shop at the local dump. Many kids vinyl swimming pools have similar joiners. I dumped some we had only a few months ago - I finally decided that they would not be "useful one day."

[TheNutter]

Crowie

Might flexible conduit, stiffened with some no8 fencing wire (you can see I am a farmer) and wrapped in some duct tape (my other favorite material) do for the joints? You could do some artistic curves...

Regards

Ian

[ian]

Hi Crowie

I'm thinking that your best option would be Aluminium tube
and bent/welded 120 connectors

you should be able to make the whole frame out of fibreglass tent poles -- but I know of no source within AUS

this mob (in UK unfortunately) appear to have what you want http://www.componentforce.co.uk/category/996/19mm-round-tube-connectors

my only other advice is -- don't make the frame it too light
it will need to be sufficiently robust that the people putting it together and "folding it away'' -- and yes they will try to fold it if they think they can -- don't break anything.

[Bob38S]

Was thinking fibreglass tent poles also as I believe that they can be screwed together to form whatever length you need. As for the 120 degree fittings, not sure but would check out the boat canopy builders as they often need to fit into different angles. Failing that, the makers of PVC furniture use all sorts of different socket and rail connections.