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[JohnJohn]

Let me start out by saying I currently have Global Truss (Box) but nothing big to brag about haha. I have worked and been around many companies who don't use Global Truss (They use Tomcat).

The main reasons they don't use "Pin Truss" is because it sags in the middle when using it in long spans. I have although seen Global Truss at many conventions and tradeshow set-ups so it can't be that bad.

I want to buy more truss and possibly look at doing a 35-40ft span across and have 2 genie lifts/global truss stands holding it up.

Here's my question~
Would it be a wise descision to just buy the other 20 feet In eed to complete the span? or should I just sell the Global Truss I have and look into putting my money into something that doesn't use "pins".

Thank You!

-Brian

[len woelfel]

If it sags noticeably, it's either overloaded or put together incorrectly.  All truss sags with weight on it.  The difference is you just don't see it because it's not that noticeable to the naked eye.  I've seen 12" global go 40' and yes, it flexes a little, but not enough to worry about.

Having said that, I think which way you go depends on a lot of factors.  Such as whether you sub-rent to other houses or keep it all yourself.  If you do or would like to, you'll want compatibility.  Can you peer into the future?  What will you need?    A lot of equipment purchases in this business is a gamble, no matter what you do.

[John Moore]

We normally do a span of almost 40 feet with our Global Truss. I would not trade the pins for bolts any day. The set up of the Global is so much faster. We do get slight sag, but really not noticeable. We don't put much weight in lighting on ours either. But for set up and tear down, you can't beat the pins and conical couplers. We just make sure we have spares on hand of all pins, couplers, etc. The only issue I have is erecting the towers, that is a royal pain to get tilted into position, coming down is even more fun....we have never had any issues with the Global truss either. Just take care of it and it will last. Had ours almost 2 years and still is like new...

[Tony "T" Tissot]

I am on the "other" side of the coin. I bolt my (32' max) together  (old crap with steel pins) - and was hoping to move to conical and pins (GT or similar) for my personal set up.

Each bolt is "only" a minute or less, but it really adds up.

We use GT on trade show (I am rentee) stuff. I see deflection, but not from the connections. It's mostly decorative, the hang weight is negligible.

Please tell me this is the right approach for an ankle biter.

[John Moore]

If you don't mind the bolting and have the truss already, why change. If you are looking to speed up your setup and tear down and not have to carry the tools, the GT is the way to go...

I was fortunate to find a dealer that really wanted to sell some truss and we were given a great deal on the truss and tower blocks, etc. The truss blocks for the towers are big, heavy and cumbersome but they make putting up the grid really easy once all is together.

[E. Lee Dickinson]

The spec sheets for global are readily available on their website, and they list a 40' span as having a maximum allowable deflection of 4.7 inches. Centerpoint load depends on triangle or square, as does uniformly distributed load.

Go to the hard info!  http://www.globaltruss.com/pdffiles/Load%20&%20Deflectio n%20XP.pdf

There's nothing inherently more 'bendy' about spiggoted truss, but the 12" global is certainly a light/medium duty product.

[Terry Martin]

I have Global Truss - about 36' total.  Most of the time, we only use two 10' sticks across back of stage, although I have used 30' with no problem.  

The part that slows us down is driving the pins in (not so bad) and out (really difficult).  The 12" box is just small enough to not allow a good "blow" with the hammer.  ...while the lighting guy is banging away with the hammer (which is very loud, by the way), I typically/jokingly ask, "Eric - whatcha buildin' over there?"  ...I think it pisses him off.  haha!

Any 'global' trick of the trade that you can pass on?

Thanks
Terry

[E. Lee Dickinson]

We use little brass tack hammers. Does the trick nicely, and has no waffle head to mar the pins.

[Mike Pyle]

I've tried a few different hammers, but a plain old light handled claw hammer gives me the best results. Usually just one quick smack pops the pins out. I've also put up 60' of truss on a pair of stands, but it does involve figuring out the stand positioning and then balancing the load to avoid sag.

[Micky Basiliere]

ME!!! Sag??? That is complete BS!!! I have NEVER seen Any sag w/ Spans over 40 ft. Global is a GREAT product!

[Micky Basiliere]

If it sags... Your Towers suck!

[Paul Lea]

We have 70+ feet of it and routinely get 40'-ish in the air on the GT 18'/Works 18' lifts. No real sag to speake of.  But, we are using it mostly for par cas, usually 32 of them.

I plan to buy more to finish the overhead square design.

I would rec. it to anyone looking for easy to assemble medium duty truss.

[Mike Pyle]

Micky Basiliere wrote on Sun, 06 July 2008 20:27

ME!!! Sag??? That is complete BS!!! I have NEVER seen Any sag w/ Spans over 40 ft. Global is a GREAT product!

Micky Basiliere wrote on Sun, 06 July 2008 20:28

If it sags... Your Towers suck!

Even if you were right, which you are not, the way you express yourself is impolite. After participating here for a while, you will figure out that the obnoxious replies will only gain you disrespect in kind, to the extent that if you ever have a legitimate point to make it probably will be ignored.

I'm a dealer for Global truss, and regularly put 800 - 900 lbs. of truss, lights and sound up on a pair of Applied L16 lifts (which BTW do not "suck", they handle the load perfectly well). I have found that if I extend my total truss length beyond the typical 40'ish feet, I still place the stands inboard to keep the total "spanned" distance under 45'. With 60' of truss in the air I leave about 7-8' per side extending beyond the stands, and hang speakers to the outside, directly adjacent the stands to counter the spanned load. If all that weight is placed inbetween with the stands at 45', the truss WILL sag a few inches in the center.

If I moved the stands out closer to the end of the truss, thereby increasing the "span", the truss will sag noticeably even with NO gear on it.

[John Moore]

+1 on that, been there and done that. It does sag at 60' with no load..I have pics to prove it. Even with a few Opti Pars on it..and they don't weigh anything...

[Tony "T" Tissot]

John Moore wrote on Thu, 03 July 2008 06:03

If you don't mind the bolting and have the truss already, why change. If you are looking to speed up your setup and tear down and not have to carry the tools, the GT is the way to go...

I do mind the bolting and the assembly. I only have the 1 inch triangular aluminum kind with steel pins (not plate ends) for my own stuff. It does not look as professional as the 2 inch IMHO.

Weight isn't my problem, mainly appearance and ease of assembly/disassembly.

The GT conical appears to be a good compromise on value, appearance and ease of use.

(At trade shows I don't get to touch it - show labor has to handle that - so I've never actually assembled it).

[John Moore]

Tony;

Take a look at this...   http://www.trinityprosound.com/images/july_4_2008/IMG_5512.j pg


It takes us about 1 hour with 4 guys to put up the truss and towers. The shade roof, well that is another story...GT is the way to go...I am sure if you get a shopping list together, there is a dealer out there that will give you great pricing as we found out when buying truss and towers...

[Duncan McLennan]

And the dolly boards are still in the bottom of the hangs!  Well done!  Talk about a fast load out!

[John Moore]

the true meaning of "down" and "out"

[Micky Basiliere]

Mike Pyle wrote on Mon, 07 July 2008 14:00

Micky Basiliere wrote on Sun, 06 July 2008 20:27 ME!!! Sag??? That is complete BS!!! I have NEVER seen Any sag w/ Spans over 40 ft. Global is a GREAT product! Micky Basiliere wrote on Sun, 06 July 2008 20:28 If it sags... Your Towers suck! Even if you were right, which you are not, the way you express yourself is impolite. After participating here for a while, you will figure out that the obnoxious replies will only gain you disrespect in kind, to the extent that if you ever have a legitimate point to make it probably will be ignored. I'm a dealer for Global truss, and regularly put 800 - 900 lbs. of truss, lights and sound up on a pair of Applied L16 lifts (which BTW do not "suck", they handle the load perfectly well). I have found that if I extend my total truss length beyond the typical 40'ish feet, I still place the stands inboard to keep the total "spanned" distance under 45'. With 60' of truss in the air I leave about 7-8' per side extending beyond the stands, and hang speakers to the outside, directly adjacent the stands to counter the spanned load. If all that weight is placed inbetween with the stands at 45', the truss WILL sag a few inches in the center. If I moved the stands out closer to the end of the truss, thereby increasing the "span", the truss will sag noticeably even with NO gear on it.

Mike... What is wrong with what i said??? I said great product? Your towers might suck? ya sure, Load a 40 ft span w/20 Mac 700's and it will sag! Maybe even break! Common sense here!!?? I said nothing offensive. Thanks

[Mike Pyle]

Micky Basiliere wrote on Mon, 07 July 2008 19:04

Mike... What is wrong with what i said??? I said great product? Your towers might suck? ya sure, Load a 40 ft span w/20 Mac 700's and it will sag! Maybe even break! Common sense here!!?? I said nothing offensive. Thanks

It may be a surprise to you, but your statement here is even more offensive than earlier saying my comments were "BS" and my towers "sucked". Now you seem to be implying that Global's truss sags because I lack common sense?

FYI, I don't own any Macs. The weight of the truss alone is over 1/3 of the total load I put on the stands. In case you have never looked (which I suspect), here is the load rating chart for GT:
http://www.globaltruss.com/pdffiles/Load%20&%20Deflectio n%20XP.pdf

[Micky Basiliere]

Mike Pyle wrote on Mon, 07 July 2008 23:41

Micky Basiliere wrote on Mon, 07 July 2008 19:04 Mike... What is wrong with what i said??? I said great product? Your towers might suck? ya sure, Load a 40 ft span w/20 Mac 700's and it will sag! Maybe even break! Common sense here!!?? I said nothing offensive. Thanks It may be a surprise to you, but your statement here is even more offensive than earlier saying my comments were "BS" and my towers "sucked". Now you seem to be implying that Global's truss sags because I lack common sense? FYI, I don't own any Macs. The weight of the truss alone is over 1/3 of the total load I put on the stands. In case you have never looked (which I suspect), here is the load rating chart for GT:  http://www.globaltruss.com/pdffiles/Load%20&%20Deflectio n%20XP.pdf

Mike... RELAX! "Your" NOT meaning you personally.(anybody who is complaining about sag!)it is RARE for a box Truss of this quality to show any sign of sag even w/ extreme load. I'm sure you know what YOUR(YOU are) doing with your equipment,and are a great lighting guy.i am not bashing you. The comments were made in general,Not at you... I'm sorry if i offended you.

[Tony "T" Tissot]

Micky Basiliere wrote on Mon, 07 July 2008 19:04

Mike... What is wrong with what i said??? I said great product? Your towers might suck? ya sure, Load a 40 ft span w/20 Mac 700's and it will sag! Maybe even break! Common sense here!!?? I said nothing offensive. Thanks

Micky

Quote:

"If it sags... Your Towers suck!"

That has zip to do with truss deflection.

Quote:

Common sense here!!??

I get my "common sense" advice on GT towers from Mike.

And

Quote:

"ME!!! Sag??? That is complete BS!!! I have NEVER seen Any sag w/ Spans over 40 ft. Global is a GREAT product!"....

.... Is just misleading. Even the Verazano Narrows Bridge has "sag." Most of us just want to know what it is, know what's safe, and know what looks good.

[Milt Hathaway]

Micky Basiliere wrote on Mon, 07 July 2008 23:07

it is RARE for a box Truss of this quality to show any sign of sag even w/ extreme load.

You are wrong. All aluminum truss sags. The safe limits for that sag are part of the specifications available from the manufacturer.

Even Thomas and Tomcat trussing sags, with the amount dependent upon a combination of the span and the load.

[Dave Bjornson]

I have 20 sticks of SQ-4114 GT, and always add a center motor with a span greater than 12 meters. It is a great product, but clearly medium duty. I have never come near the oem load specs, but have seen a noticeable sag.
My tip of the day:
Apply small 1" circles of bright colored paint around the large (outside) holes in the truss and couplers, and on the small end of the pins. Tell the hands to insert and line up the couplers colored side into the trusses colored hole, then insert the colored end of the pin.