halogen light tripod on wheels?

[AndrewBigA]

i want to build a 8 ft high tripod on wheels to hold 4 halogen work lights. i use 500 watt & 1000 watt halogen lights for certain detailing jobs. its a pain in the *** to keep moving around the tripod then adjusting the height for when i need the light low on the car or high on the car or over the hood.
im thining of how i could build a rolling tripod with the lowest halogen light being about 6 inches off the ground & he highest one being 8ft off the ground. 2 other halogen lights would be spaced evenly between the 2 other halogens. i would want each one to be on a switch for when i need the high one on, the middle 2 on or if i need the low one on, i dont want them to all be on at the same time. also, im thining of having a 5th light extend out about 2 feet so i can use that to shine directly over the hood, roof & runk sections.
i get all kinds of crazy ideas sometimes around this time of the night.
i have a few 2 bulb halogen fixtures. the 500 watt is on a tripod with a max height of about 4 feet & he 6 feet one i have is 1000 watts.
i know theres a bunch of you guys on here that can give me some tips, ideas & or possible post up a picture if anyoen has built one.
i looked at camera rolling tripods but i think i need somethign more durable. i want to have fun & build something myself but i dont know where i should begin.
i think a square wooden pallet with coaster wheels is a good start? just not sure if i should build it out of metal or wood. i dont know how to weld so wood is probaby my best bet.
thanks GJ!
-Andrew

 

[akdiesel]

I think you biggest problem is going to be power cable to support the usage. You say you will not have them on all together, but if you have the ability to turn them all on at the flick of a switch for each one the urge may take over or accidently and either blow breakers or cause a fire.

 

[tonydanzah]

I'm pretty sure he could build the tower with 3 different extension cords for each different stage of lighting.

 

[AndrewBigA]

what if i hooked up a power strip & just plugged in the lights i want to work? it might not look fancy but if it will get the job done then i dont care =)

 

[tonydanzah]

that would also work.

 

[AndrewBigA]

so has anyone built one of these before or somethign similar? i guessing wood would be easiest to mount the lights. get a 2x3 & then use a wooden square dolly that comes with the wheels already on it?

 

[crankshaftdan II]

Saw a home made one in a mfg. plant, base was a rim from a semi-wheel (22" dia.) mounted 4ea. spring loaded phenolic wheels to rim center (welded ?) three each pieces of galvanized pipe (4' length each) each pipe was a size smaller than the previous, so they would slide up/down, used a 90 degree bent rod with nut welded onto each piece on a drilled hole for a stop. Mounted 4ea 1K halogens on pipes with muffler clamps (slide and re-adjust as required) had a four outlet GFCI yellow jacket 10/3 for plug in with 50' 10/3 cord for shock protection. Sounds more complicated than what it was/worked real great with the mobile set-up

 

[AndrewBigA]

Saw a home made one in a mfg. plant, base was a rim from a semi-wheel (22" dia.) mounted 4ea. spring loaded phenolic wheels to rim center (welded ?) three each pieces of galvanized pipe (4' length each) each pipe was a size smaller than the previous, so they would slide up/down, used a 90 degree bent rod with nut welded onto each piece on a drilled hole for a stop. Mounted 4ea 1K halogens on pipes with muffler clamps (slide and re-adjust as required) had a four outlet GFCI yellow jacket 10/3 for plug in with 50' 10/3 cord for shock protection. Sounds more complicated than what it was/worked real great with the mobile set-up

that sounds complicated =(

pic?

im tempted to go to home depot one of these nights & just start to collect stuff & build it as i go but i dont have the time, the shop is too busy.

 

[jonny o]

One of the best "random" tools in my garage is a cymbol stand from my drumming days. Sturdy.
Lightweight, but hefty enough to be stable.
Very adjustable and quick.
Easy to mount casters to the 3 legs, or mount it on a wooden dolly...

Check you local goodwill.

 

[AndrewBigA]

One of the best "random" tools in my garage is a cymbol stand from my drumming days. Sturdy.
Lightweight, but hefty enough to be stable.
Very adjustable and quick.
Easy to mount casters to the 3 legs, or mount it on a wooden dolly...

Check you local goodwill.

i will google this, thanks.
question, how high is the cymbol stand? i want something from the ground up to 8ft where the highest light would be.

 

[AndrewBigA]

thanks for removing the pocketbook spam lol!

 

[jonny o]

Guess I could have started with giving you the correct thing to google... Try cymbAl.
Sorry.

Height and sturdiness are dictated by the number of extensions. Price is going to be your limit before height.

Good luck.

 

[AndrewBigA]

Guess I could have started with giving you the correct thing to google... Try cymbAl.
Sorry.

Height and sturdiness are dictated by the number of extensions. Price is going to be your limit before height.

Good luck.

thanks im going to search again but i think i figured out what i need to do.

how do you think this would work?

get a 5 gallon bucket & cut it in half. put some wheels on the bottom, i can buy a kit from a detail supply company tht has the bucket & wheels already together.
8 ft high 4"x4" wood post mounted in the bucket & cemented. i need to have some weight so it doesnt tip over & damage a car.
thats what i have so far lol...

i can see what i want to build, im visualizing it right now!

 

[kindyr]

going 8 feet high with a 4X4 wood post and no amount of Cement is going to keep your center of gravity where it won't tip over easily. it won't have a wide enough base.

if it were me, and I was going to use simple materials. I'd probably start with a 3'x3' peice of plywood. bolt four casters to the bottom of that. to that I'd bolt a five gallon bucket and instead of a 4X4, either a 2X2 (assuming the halogen lights I'm thinking of are correct they don't weigh a whole lot) or a steel or(preferably) an aluminum pipe concreted into the bucket.

gives lots of weight and a wide base down low, not a lot of weight up high, and, if the cement isn't quite enough to keep it stable, you can add additional weight around the bucket on the plywood base. sandbags are cheap and easy for that. slightly fancier is using a 3' circle of plywood for the base. all of this is off the cuff, so modify as needed, but a 4x4 is overkill for the post, and will hurt when(not if) it tips over

 

[AndrewBigA]

going 8 feet high with a 4X4 wood post and no amount of Cement is going to keep your center of gravity where it won't tip over easily. it won't have a wide enough base.

if it were me, and I was going to use simple materials. I'd probably start with a 3'x3' peice of plywood. bolt four casters to the bottom of that. to that I'd bolt a five gallon bucket and instead of a 4X4, either a 2X2 (assuming the halogen lights I'm thinking of are correct they don't weigh a whole lot) or a steel or(preferably) an aluminum pipe concreted into the bucket.

gives lots of weight and a wide base down low, not a lot of weight up high, and, if the cement isn't quite enough to keep it stable, you can add additional weight around the bucket on the plywood base. sandbags are cheap and easy for that. slightly fancier is using a 3' circle of plywood for the base. all of this is off the cuff, so modify as needed, but a 4x4 is overkill for the post, and will hurt when(not if) it tips over

thank you for your ideas. im goign to hope depot tomorrow to see what i can come up with. 4x4 is deffinitly too thick & too heavy & i dont need to use that. 2x4 sounds liek it makes more sense. i have alot of ideas going through my head. i can pretty much see the portable light thing but i dont know where to start =( the 5 gallon bucket i just figured out wouldnt work. i want a light really low to the ground so i would have to screw one into the plastic bucket. that would annoy the **** out of me because it wouldnt be level with the lights on the piece of 2x4. i think im just guna build a wooden box & mount the wheels to the bottom. i can use a 2x4 and the box i can fill with playground sand. hmmmmmmm

 

[balrog]

Instead of a 4x4, would a adjustable pole for window washing/ pool cleaning/ paint roller work?

 

[Intel]

Just thinking of it from a theatre lighting perspective. Could just use a steel rim with a 4-6 foot 2-3 inch around pipe. Then just clamp the lights on that like what they use on theatres overhead. If you want to get fancy mount an electrical junction box at the base with 4 switches. Then wire that down to 2 extension cords.

Clamps that are usually used
http://www.protheatrical.com/SPD/clp-03-chauvet-light-duty-pipe-clamp--3240000-1103045115.jsp

Sure there are better ways but seems the simplest/most stable to me. Plus then you can adjust the height of the lights depending on the height of the sidepanels you are working on. (Truck vs Car. )

 

[AndrewBigA]

Instead of a 4x4, would a adjustable pole for window washing/ pool cleaning/ paint roller work?

that doesnt seem strong enough. i started making the portable light stand thingy. i will post some pics tonight =0)

 

[AndrewBigA]

Just thinking of it from a theatre lighting perspective. Could just use a steel rim with a 4-6 foot 2-3 inch around pipe. Then just clamp the lights on that like what they use on theatres overhead. If you want to get fancy mount an electrical junction box at the base with 4 switches. Then wire that down to 2 extension cords.

Clamps that are usually used
http://www.protheatrical.com/SPD/clp-03-chauvet-light-duty-pipe-clamp--3240000-1103045115.jsp

Sure there are better ways but seems the simplest/most stable to me. Plus then you can adjust the height of the lights depending on the height of the sidepanels you are working on. (Truck vs Car. )

can you link me to a theatre light setup please?
i think i have a good idea so far & i think what im doing will work but if you have something different id still like to know what your talking about.

maybe ill build another one after im done with this one.

 

[Intel]

http://www.stagelightingstore.com/s.nl/it.A/id.2566/.f

There are cheaper places for truss or just use 1.0 inch-1.5 inch od pipe. Connect with those pipe clamps I referenced earlier. OR Coudl use the

Already have the lights but I was actually looking at trying these out for my own setup since I am at a point where I want to start detailing this spring.

http://www.stagelightingstore.com/s.nl/it.A/id.5609/.f?sc=25&category=124347
Bulbs are showing in about the 3000k range for color rendition. Not sure what the worklights shoot in.

Whole garage needs better lighting though But I am just renting to hard to justify.

 

[AndrewBigA]

http://www.stagelightingstore.com/s.nl/it.A/id.2566/.f

There are cheaper places for truss or just use 1.0 inch-1.5 inch od pipe. Connect with those pipe clamps I referenced earlier. OR Coudl use the

Already have the lights but I was actually looking at trying these out for my own setup since I am at a point where I want to start detailing this spring.

http://www.stagelightingstore.com/s.nl/it.A/id.5609/.f?sc=25&category=124347
Bulbs are showing in about the 3000k range for color rendition. Not sure what the worklights shoot in.

Whole garage needs better lighting though But I am just renting to hard to justify.

how would that be portable? you would have to mount the truss on a wheel dolly

 

[Intel]

That is what I was saying. Mount it vertically to a steel wheel with casters.

 

[AndrewBigA]

That is what I was saying. Mount it vertically to a steel wheel with casters.

i guess that would owrk but would i be able to use 250 watt halogen bulbs or does that fixture require different type of bulbs?

 

[Nostraquedeo]

How about something like this? Since it will be sealed, you could just fill it from the top when done building. Maybe make the bottom 1 or 1 1/2" pipe for added weight.

90 elbows should read "t"s

 

[AndrewBigA]

the shops been busy & i havent had time to post up much.
i started to build the portable light unit. ill post a few pics in a couple of days.
im just happy the shop is alive & not dead which it usually is in january.

 

[tonydanzah]

so did you finish the tripod?

 

[49tandc]

I usually have an empty engine stand in the shed. I made a bracket that goes into the large-round swivel part. It will now hold a 4' flourscent light or a couple of halogen work-lights, but I can take that out and insert the engine stand part again. Very mobile and sturdy multi-use tool.

49T&C

 

[AndrewBigA]

so did you finish the tripod?

no, i started it but havent finished it yet. i need to get back on this little project like NOW lol!

I usually have an empty engine stand in the shed. I made a bracket that goes into the large-round swivel part. It will now hold a 4' flourscent light or a couple of halogen work-lights, but I can take that out and insert the engine stand part again. Very mobile and sturdy multi-use tool.

49T&C

do you have pics to share?

 

[Walterchang]

Why try and reinvent the wheel. In the motion picture industry they have things called a c stand or century stand. They telescope up to 10 ft or so colapasable and can support a ton of weight. Also the they things called high rollers basically a tripod on wheels.
What really is cool is that the industry modifies so many everyday items to make them work for there needs you would never think of it. Also the stuff is almost always easily transporatable and hardware amongst different items are always the same sizes.
http://www.msegrip.com/

 

[AndrewBigA]

hey guys, sorry to bump an old thread.

i have been using this for about a year now but never actually posted a pic.
this was taken a few months ago.
one night, while working on a 350z nismo...i had the halogen light tower cranking with 2,500 watts. after a good hour straight of compounding & polishing the qp this happend:

now i play it safe & work with 500-2,000 watts max. these lights are only taken out when a customer requests for his paint to be as flawless as possible. the halogens expose all of the flaws, including the deepest paint defects. this would be my most expensive exterior detail service.

anyway, what looks like a totally unstable piece of **** has actually been very helpfull. ive used it on a ton of cars. i bought a bunch of single light 250 watt halogen lights so i have back up hardware. sometimes i loose a screw or something but its no biggie, just pick something off of one of the extras & its good as gold again lol. this is way better than buying those portable halogen tripods from home depot that always break after using them only a few times. those lights have plastic pieces that are used to raise & lower the actual light. that **** always breaks so i got sick & tired of that.
when i want low light i have low lights. medium light, got that too. need high lights for hoods & trunks & roofs, got that too.

if you have any questions about this let me know. im thinking about building something new over the winter when i have some extra time. it would be nice to have a dual unit. im thinking about a vertical 8ft double bulb flourescent unit on one side, & metal halide lights on the reverse side.

halogen lights are great for this type of work but they glow yellow & give off some heat.

i want to switch to metal halide. the 8ft flourescent light will be great for doing interior work. the reason why i havent upgraded this is because i used pvc & i think its holding enough weight already lol.

 

[kbs2244]

I like the verious casters on a pallet ideas.
Just make it a round pallet.
Otherwise you are going to have ****** ankles.

 

[AndrewBigA]

I like the verious casters on a pallet ideas.
Just make it a round pallet.
Otherwise you are going to have ****** ankles.

well of course i forgot to post the most important pic lol.

i do apologize!

 

[d33pt]

instead of halogen, consider using the 65w flourescent floodlights. i think they are just as bright and put out a better color light at less than 1/10th the wattage. you can have a whole array of them on a single extension cord. their only flaw is the 2 minute warm up time, which isn't a huge deal to me. sometimes they are on sale at costco for $10 each.

 

[AndrewBigA]

instead of halogen, consider using the 65w flourescent floodlights. i think they are just as bright and put out a better color light at less than 1/10th the wattage. you can have a whole array of them on a single extension cord. their only flaw is the 2 minute warm up time, which isn't a huge deal to me. sometimes they are on sale at costco for $10 each.

ehh im pretty stubborn. ill look into this but im going to stick with the halogen & then eventually ill do metal halide. the warm up time would bother the **** out of me lol.

 

[472scout]

Some of the high wattage fluorescent lights brighten up very quickly. Within 5 seconds or so.

 

[AndrewBigA]

Some of the high wattage fluorescent lights brighten up very quickly. Within 5 seconds or so.

for this type of work halogen, metal halide & now led lighting is used.
i havent tried led yet.