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Nottingham, UK

Has anyone made a tripod out of metal scaffolding tube (scaffolding or aluminium) or have any advice as to whether it would be a good idea.
Pumpkin is in the 850-950 lb region.

Thanks

10/23/2013 6:07:16 AM

Central Illinois

if your talking about using the end frames and placing them on an angle,they would probably break at the coupling.The pipe and coupling are not made for a side way force

I think you would want square tubing over pipe for strength if your trying to keep the weight down.

10/23/2013 8:59:19 AM

Eugene,OR

I used to use scaffold set up as scaffold is intended to be set up with a beefy metal "I beam" running between the uprights. It worked well but was difficult and dangerous to set up. There is nothing quite like trying to get a couple hundred pound "I beam" 8 feet into the air from the ground with only a couple of humans to lift it....and then slide it across to span the scaffold. Oh yeah, this was done over a prized giant pumpkin. That is why I had a real tripod built.

10/23/2013 11:20:48 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

16 foot 4 x 4 pressure treated posts with rebar in the middle, chain and chain hoist.

Works great...will last for years and years.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=210797

10/23/2013 1:09:40 PM

Johnston, Iowa

^ That's the tripod set up I have.

North Shore Boyz - after looking at the picture - did the legs of the Tripod slide on that road surface? If so what did you use to block them with?

10/23/2013 4:57:32 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Dan, no they did not slide but we had to start slowly to evenly distribute the weight as we began.

My setup models after one that Quinn Werner designed and built years ago...

10/23/2013 7:22:11 PM

Nottingham, UK

Thanks Guys.

Purchased three 16' lengths of 3' x 4' today and can't wait to get started tomorrow with my new toys (hoist, tripod and slings). Weighing my lasy big one on Saturday.

Would be a dream if it went 18% heavy (1003 lbs). Here's to dreaming!

10/24/2013 5:35:07 PM

Nottingham, UK

Cheers Glenn, had to go with the 3" x 4" as none of the 4x4 available anywhere at 16'

10/24/2013 5:36:12 PM