Adjustable Sign Display Tower

This simple display tower enable you to display three signage areas with an adjustable height of between 4' 6" and 8' (which is determined by your pipe lengths). It packs down small enough to fit on a box you can put on a plane. This was a design we used to display our signs at MAKEs Maker Faire.

Step 1: Cut Pipe and Obtain Fittings

Vertical Pipes:

For our project we choose to make a unit that would adjust from 4' 6" to 8' so our pipe lengths were as follows. The lengths you choose can change as long as you keep the proportions the same.:

(3) 4' 3-1/2" (Schedule 40 1-1/4" Aluminum Pipe) - Bottom Vertical Pipe
(3) 4' 3-1/2" (Schedule 40 1" Aluminum Pipe) - Upper Vertical Pipe

The triangle pipe lengths are:

(3) 2'-3/4" (Schedule 40 1-1/4" Aluminum Pipe) - Bottom Triangle Pipe
(3) 2'-3/4" (Schedule 40 1" Aluminum Pipe) - Upper Triangle Pipe

NOTE: To save money on the pipe round the lenghts to the nearest foot or use another standard length cut.

Fittings:

(3) LC50-6 Single Swivel Socket, 1"
(3) LC50-7 Single Swivel Socket, 1-1/4"
(3) L15-6 90 Degree Elbow, 1"
(3) L15-7 90 Degree Elbow, 1-1/4"
(3) L70-7 Rail Support, 1-1/4"
(3) 75-6 Collar, 1"

Where to get it:
You can get schedule 40 aluminum pipe through most pipe stores (you won't find it at The Home Depot). If you cannot find it locally you can order it through our site.
You can get the fittings from a Kee Klamp Distributor. That's what we do online: www.simplifiedbuilding.com

Comments

[daggahead]

Would electrical conduit be a suitable substitute for the tubing?

[simplifiedbuilding]

Hi there..

Electrical conduit does not generally fit well with our fitting sizes. If you check the OD of your conduit you can see which fitting might work by looking at this chart. Fence Post works well with our size 7 fitting if you're looking for a cheaper way to make something. Also, if you use an alternative pipe I don't know that you'll be able to create the telescoping action that you see on this design.

Hope this helps.

[radiorental]

very nice, but how much?

[simplifiedbuilding]

Since we built this for ourselves cost-efficiency was not our first object.
If you bought the fittings from our site they would cost you about $170.00. You can get the pipe from a local pipe distributor (probably another $100 for the brushed stuff in the picture) The way you could save some money on the pipe is to use standard lengths (instead of custom cuts). I would do the verticals at 4ft each an the triangles at 2ft each.

[radiorental]

I'm really interested in this stuff. I just bought a house with a large detached shop (some people call them garages!!) I'll like to trick it out with benches and such but its going to be around a 1/3rd of the price to do this in wood. Might take a little longer but way cheaper. The reason I bring this up is that you appear to be marketing towards the maker set but I feel this is way beyond what some of us would pay, more the designer level.

[simplifiedbuilding]

The cost is a hurdle, they are an industrial quality product, with a cost to match. Honestly these parts have never really been marketed in the DIY market and so the response has been educational. However, we think that in the long haul (e.g. if you plan on being able to move the benches/object), the durability and modularity is worth the investment. If you're making a non-structural component, like a bench, you could look into using a thinner walled pipe or fence post. It does the job, it's just not as strong (and generally its a lot cheaper). They way most of these project work out the bulk of the cost ends up being in the pipe, not the fittings. Thanks for your feedback, let us know if we can help you with your shop in any way.

[radiorental]

I'll have a better idea once I move in, money is obviously going to be tight. Thanks!