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Bruce Schwarz from First Protestant Church in New Braunfels, Texas brings us this how-to for fake aluminum trussing (super cheap).
The first ones Bruce made were 6′ each (2 of them). Materials from Home Depot:
- (4) 38″ – 3/4″ PVC for bottom
- (4) 24″ – 3/4″ PVC for top
- (12) 9″ – 1/2″ PVC for side bars on T’s
- (10) 14.25″ – 1/2″ PVC for cross members
- Chrome paint
- Spray primer
- Drywall screws
Keys to remember:
- Pre-drill all holes.
- Cut 45 degree angles on 14.24″ cross pieces and screw them on
- Premake your side bars to assure they lay flat
Both pieces cost about $50 to complete. (Remember…these aren’t made to hold weight.)
More from CSDI's Editor:
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I write and speak about the creative process – especially for churches. Call me a resource for the church creative wanting to make their ministry better.
I’ve tried this a couple of times, but I have trouble with the diagonal pieces… Could you be more specific with how you cut and attach those pieces to the rest of the structure?
I cut 45 degree angles on all cross pieces with my mitre saw. The more teeth the better. Predrill a pilot hole from the inside out on each mitre. Then lay out the main pieces flat on the table and lay out cross pieces for fit and spacing. Put a mark on the main part approx. where you want the hole to go. Then predrill those holes as well. Remember the screws will go in at a 45 as well. Fine thread screws work best. Dont have to make them super tight just snug. Hope this helps.
That’s so simple, but genius. Thanks so much for sharing!
How about it’s durability?
Say there Johnson,
I am using them in my classic rock band right now. Trying to sell the idea to replace the plastic trees with these. Mine get scratched a little, but I transport them from gig to gig.
Also, if you want to mount lights on them you can vertically, but truss needs to be secured somehow.
Try this pic to see if you can load it.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=285256991519506&set=a.285255051519700.72039.126039537441253&type=1&theater
This is awesome! Could have used this about 6 months ago, but I’m certain we will utilize this design in the future. Way to save the budget. Thanks.
How much did all the materiel wind up costing for just one truss, like in the picture?
I am currently using this design to create 4 of these 6ft truss and am about to complete the project. Total cost is going to come right at $100, so it’s about $25 per 6ft truss.
Cool, would love to see some pics when you are finished!
Josh,
It was about $25 or so per truss.
What size drywall screws?
Based on Bruce’s comments, we used 1″ drywall screws and they worked great.
Cool! Thanks Ben!
Thank ya Ben
what part of the truss did you use the dry wall screws for
love this, i have been lookingfor a cheap alternative for Trusses for our stage. this will work great. we can use our real metal ones to hold lights and use these for looks. awesome thanks for posting
Greetings all the way from Honduras in Central America, awesome design, do you have like a blue print or a design………thank you so much
Hey Bruce you said that you could mount lights, But you had to mount it and you gave a link to a picture but the picture will not load is there another place that you have that picture that I could look at. Thanks for shareing your creativity.
Glen, I am actually using them tonight and will take a picture. I have a par 46 on top to light vocals on drummer and inside truss mounting a par 64 LED to side light drummer. Would like to post pic here when I do but it takes a while for it to go on here. How can I post them faster?
Thnks
Bruce
If you dont mind you could just email me a picture, also one question? Is there a reason that you went with 1/2 piping inbetween the 3/4 piping. I have a bunch of 3/4 piping laying around and if i can get away using that pipping I will. My email address is pastorglen@lttb.org Once again thanks
Glen, been raining pretty hard down here and I couldnt use last light at our gig. had to scale down equipment due to playing inside. Will take some detail pics and give you some more details.
You can use any size pipe you want to, I just used 1/2″ since I also had extra around. Plus if it didnt work, I didnt want to spent too much. 3/4 will work great. I will email as soon as I take them, hopefully tomorrow.
B
this is a great idea for camp…
Bruce, could you email me pics as well with details of construction and lights? Coachfreddy2@gmail.com
Thanks man, these are great!!!