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[Rich Grisier]

I'm looking to replace the top crossbar on some of my tripod stands.  Where's a good place to get 48" long 1.5" OD aluminum tubing? I've searched around a bit, but am coming up pretty much empty... or when I do find something it costs about the same as getting the whole stand.  I'm looking for something like THIS, but with an OD of 1.5", not 1 3/8".

[Jamin Lynch]

I'm looking to replace the top crossbar on some of my tripod stands.  Where's a good place to get 48" long 1.5" OD aluminum tubing? I've searched around a bit, but am coming up pretty much empty... or when I do find something it costs about the same as getting the whole stand.  I'm looking for something like THIS, but with an OD of 1.5", not 1 3/8".

Metals Depot

https://www.metalsdepot.com/products/alum2.phtml?page=rndtube&LimAcc=%20&aident=

[Don T. Williams]

Sometimes you can find "DJ "I" truss" in 5' or 6' lengths that uses plastic tees to connect the small metal webs to the top and bottom cord.  I have seen these in the $60.00 to $70.00 range street price.  Just take it apart and use the truss cords.  They are usually black painted, have pre drilled holes, and include some hardware.  Also, I think some chain link fence tubing is 1.5" O.D. and is cheap. 

[Robert Piascik]

I just bought some Ultimate crossbars $45 new on ebay

[Dave Garoutte]

For $8 you can get a 10' section of EMT at Home depot.  The cheap steel tube is MUCH stronger than the thin aluminum stuff sold for lighting.
It fits in most speaker tripods also, giving you a 10' plus height lighting stand.
I also use it for speaker poles after pressing in adapters to fit the subs and tops.

[Sean Schult]

Which tripod stands do you have?

I like the Global Truss GT-LB132. It's made for the ST-132 crank stand, but since it uses a standard 1 3/8" insertion diameter, you can put it on any normal stand. I sometimes put them on regular speaker stands with extremely light loads (4x LED pars). Used on the ST-132, I've had 2x movers hanging down and 4x pars on top, and it was very stable. They're solid and it's nice to be able to keep the O-clamps on all of my lights which fit both the t-bars and the truss. Less than $50 ea.
http://www.globaltruss.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ItemNumber=471&MainId=4&Category=42

That is a 2" bar though, and you specifically asked for 1.5". What is the reason for the 1.5" OD spec? 12" truss is 2" and sch40 pipe is 1.9". What uses 1.5"?

[Jeff Lelko]

Hi Rich,

Yes, you can go the route of a dedicated part such as the Ultimate Support products, however I find those VERY expensive for what they are (I mean $45 for a paper-thin bar with a few holes?).  While it'll work, I've had luck shopping the spare/replacement parts sites of the stands I use.  Odyssey sells their crossbars for about a third the price of Ultimate's option, though I don't recall the exact dimensions off the top of my head.  They're what I use for lighter duty trees.

If holes and aesthetics aren't a concern EMT is the way to go.  Much stronger and robust than the flimsy masts and crossbars that come with most Guitar Center truss/tripod kits - I've actually snapped one of these before...not from overloading but likely from cyclic fatigue.  The EMT will also not dent from C-clamps either (tightened within reason) and the price can't be beaten.  You can always go with the Schedule 40 black pipe too, but that's probably a lot heavier than what you need.  It's great for moving head trees though!  If you must have parts with strength data available I believe The Light Source can sell you pipe, but I'm not sure if they carry 1.5" OD.   

That is a 2" bar though, and you specifically asked for 1.5". What is the reason for the 1.5" OD spec? 12" truss is 2" and sch40 pipe is 1.9". What uses 1.5"?

My guess is for compatibility with his O-clamps and/or existing trussing that uses the 1.5" plastic junction pieces.  I'll let Rich speak for himself though!  Hope this helps!

[Mike Pyle]

Hi Rich,

Yes, you can go the route of a dedicated part such as the Ultimate Support products, however I find those VERY expensive for what they are (I mean $45 for a paper-thin bar with a few holes?).

The Ultimate Support crossbars are actually pretty hefty thick walled tubing. I usually have some extras left over from light stand packages that get parted out if someone needs just the stand.

[Jeff Lelko]

The Ultimate Support crossbars are actually pretty hefty thick walled tubing. I usually have some extras left over from light stand packages that get parted out if someone needs just the stand.

That's good to know.  And I also know it includes a few other bits of hardware, but I still find it very hard to justify such a price when there are so many other solutions out there that cost a fraction of that.  I think Schedule 40 black pipe would even cost less!  But, at the end of the day it's about getting the right solution for the given application and if this product works for some people than it's all good!

[Rich Grisier]

My guess is for compatibility with his O-clamps and/or existing trussing that uses the 1.5" plastic junction pieces.  I'll let Rich speak for himself though!  Hope this helps!

That's exactly it- for compatibility.

Great suggestions here!  I like the idea of going with EMT.  It's cheap and readily available.

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