I'm hoping to produce a frame for some display material. My initial plan is to
produce a square 'tower' about 900mm square and approx 1800mm high -
effectively two 900x900 frame cubes - strong enough to carry a light notice
board on each of the four 'faces'.

I'm thinking of making the frame from aluminium square section (1cm square?)
joined with plastic fixings - square equivalent of the sort of fixings you get
for gazebos/markees. The construction needs to be set up and dismantled in
minutes, be light, and be constructed of materials that can fit in the back of
a car. And it needs to be low cost.

NB Using the design described I'd need 20 lengths of aluminium section 88cm
long (having them all the same size helps fast construction) and 12 fixing
pieces.

Q. Am I likely to be able to get such aluminium section and plastic fixings?
Where?

Any help would be appreciated.

--
John Cartmell john@ followed by finnybank.com 0845 006 8822
Qercus magazine FAX +44 (0)8700-519-527 www.finnybank.com
Qercus - the best guide to RISC OS computing

John Cartmell wrote:
I'm hoping to produce a frame for some display material. My initial
plan is to produce a square 'tower' about 900mm square and approx
1800mm high - effectively two 900x900 frame cubes - strong enough to
carry a light notice board on each of the four 'faces'.

I'm thinking of making the frame from aluminium square section (1cm
square?) joined with plastic fixings - square equivalent of the sort
of fixings you get for gazebos/markees. The construction needs to be
set up and dismantled in minutes, be light, and be constructed of
materials that can fit in the back of a car. And it needs to be low
cost.

NB Using the design described I'd need 20 lengths of aluminium
section 88cm long (having them all the same size helps fast
construction) and 12 fixing pieces.

Q. Am I likely to be able to get such aluminium section and plastic
fixings? Where?

Any help would be appreciated.

--
John Cartmell john@ followed by finnybank.com 0845 006 8822
Qercus magazine FAX +44 (0)8700-519-527 www.finnybank.com
Qercus - the best guide to RISC OS computing

Dunno about square, but could you not use round alloy poles? as these could
be got from an aerial supplier.
Come to think of it you might get the square ones there as well?

--
Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite

John Cartmell wrote:
I'm hoping to produce a frame for some display material. My initial plan is to
produce a square 'tower' about 900mm square and approx 1800mm high -
effectively two 900x900 frame cubes - strong enough to carry a light notice
board on each of the four 'faces'.

I'm thinking of making the frame from aluminium square section (1cm square?)
joined with plastic fixings - square equivalent of the sort of fixings you get
for gazebos/markees. The construction needs to be set up and dismantled in
minutes, be light, and be constructed of materials that can fit in the back of
a car. And it needs to be low cost.

NB Using the design described I'd need 20 lengths of aluminium section 88cm
long (having them all the same size helps fast construction) and 12 fixing
pieces.

Q. Am I likely to be able to get such aluminium section and plastic fixings?
Where?

Any help would be appreciated.

how about, two square frames, fixed to, two boards hinged in the centre,
on opposite sides to form the 'frame, then some kind of support between
the two hinged boards to stop them migratingthen just use got to figure
out the other two sides?

p.s how big's the car?

"John Cartmell" wrote in message
...
I'm hoping to produce a frame for some display material. My initial plan
is to
produce a square 'tower' about 900mm square and approx 1800mm high -
effectively two 900x900 frame cubes - strong enough to carry a light
notice
board on each of the four 'faces'.

I'm thinking of making the frame from aluminium square section (1cm
square?)
joined with plastic fixings - square equivalent of the sort of fixings you
get
for gazebos/markees. The construction needs to be set up and dismantled in
minutes, be light, and be constructed of materials that can fit in the
back of
a car. And it needs to be low cost.

NB Using the design described I'd need 20 lengths of aluminium section
88cm
long (having them all the same size helps fast construction) and 12 fixing
pieces.

Q. Am I likely to be able to get such aluminium section and plastic
fixings?
Where?

Any help would be appreciated.

--
John Cartmell john@ followed by finnybank.com 0845 006 8822
Qercus magazine FAX +44 (0)8700-519-527 www.finnybank.com
Qercus - the best guide to RISC OS computing


=====================
If you want cheap and cheerful.......

Take four pieces of 2"x1" timber. Drill an 8mm hole in each end. Thread a
length of 6mm polypropylene rope through four holes at one end and another
length through the holes at the other ends. Join the ends of the rope. Take
another two lengths of 2"x1" (each about 50" long for your purpose, I
think) and join them in the middle with a nut and bolt so that they're free
to swivel. Stand the prepared four piece framework upright and use the
prepared swivelling cross to spread the four piece framework. It will be
rather like a giant box kite frame.

Make another of the same size and stand on top. You'll probably need some
kind of locating feet on one of the frames.

p.s. I don't think that aluminium is particularly cheap and finding special
plastic fittings to fit could be problematical.

Cic.

The message
from John Cartmell contains these words:

Q. Am I likely to be able to get such aluminium section and plastic fixings?
Where?

http://www.smithmetal.com/smc/asp/ma...=an&txthead=aa

or

http://tinyurl.com/epzal (eBay item)
http://tinyurl.com/m292l (eBay item)

Dunno about the fixings though. Perhaps you could hinge it and use
diagonal wires to hold it square - or even shock-cord diagonals so it'll
self-erect.

Will it be windy or indoors? I'd imagine it'd blow over quite easily outdoors.

--
Skipweasel
Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.

"John Cartmell" wrote in message
...
I'm hoping to produce a frame for some display material. My initial plan
is to
produce a square 'tower' about 900mm square and approx 1800mm high -
effectively two 900x900 frame cubes - strong enough to carry a light
notice
board on each of the four 'faces'.

I'm thinking of making the frame from aluminium square section (1cm
square?)
joined with plastic fixings - square equivalent of the sort of fixings you
get
for gazebos/markees. The construction needs to be set up and dismantled in
minutes, be light, and be constructed of materials that can fit in the
back of
a car. And it needs to be low cost.

There are commercial display products that do what you want, but definitely
not at low cost. Nothing to do with commercial display equipment comes at
low cost. You will have to design and make your own if you want that. Bamboo
is light and strong and could be made a feature of the display, perhaps it
could be pushed into holes drilled in solid plastic balls for the joints.

Colin Bignell

John Cartmell wrote:
I'm hoping to produce a frame for some display material. My initial plan is to
produce a square 'tower' about 900mm square and approx 1800mm high -
effectively two 900x900 frame cubes - strong enough to carry a light notice
board on each of the four 'faces'.

I'm thinking of making the frame from aluminium square section (1cm square?)
joined with plastic fixings - square equivalent of the sort of fixings you get
for gazebos/markees. The construction needs to be set up and dismantled in
minutes, be light, and be constructed of materials that can fit in the back of
a car. And it needs to be low cost.

NB Using the design described I'd need 20 lengths of aluminium section 88cm
long (having them all the same size helps fast construction) and 12 fixing
pieces.

Q. Am I likely to be able to get such aluminium section and plastic fixings?
Where?

Yes. Its standard stuff for display work. Not sure where..the place that
used to do it now is more shedlike than a shed.


Any help would be appreciated.

In article ,
John Cartmell wrote:
NB Using the design described I'd need 20 lengths of aluminium section
88cm long (having them all the same size helps fast construction) and 12
fixing pieces.

Q. Am I likely to be able to get such aluminium section and plastic
fixings? Where?

Any help would be appreciated.

Dexion Speedframe.

--
*If you can't see my mirrors, I'm doing my hair*

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

In article , Gav
gavbriggs\@[cut the spam]blueyonder.co.uk wrote:
John Cartmell wrote:
I'm hoping to produce a frame for some display material. My initial plan
is to produce a square 'tower' about 900mm square and approx 1800mm high
- effectively two 900x900 frame cubes - strong enough to carry a light
notice board on each of the four 'faces'.

I'm thinking of making the frame from aluminium square section (1cm
square?) joined with plastic fixings - square equivalent of the sort of
fixings you get for gazebos/markees. The construction needs to be set up
and dismantled in minutes, be light, and be constructed of materials that
can fit in the back of a car. And it needs to be low cost.

NB Using the design described I'd need 20 lengths of aluminium section
88cm long (having them all the same size helps fast construction) and 12
fixing pieces.

Q. Am I likely to be able to get such aluminium section and plastic
fixings? Where?

Any help would be appreciated.

how about, two square frames, fixed to, two boards hinged in the centre,
on opposite sides to form the 'frame, then some kind of support between
the two hinged boards to stop them migratingthen just use got to figure
out the other two sides?

Boards need to be mix 'n' match. I'm hoping to get the frame out of no more
than straight aluminium section.

p.s how big's the car?

Very small when everything else has been packed! ;-(

--
John Cartmell john@ followed by finnybank.com 0845 006 8822
Qercus magazine FAX +44 (0)8700-519-527 www.finnybank.com
Qercus - the best guide to RISC OS computing

In article ,
Cicero wrote:
p.s. I don't think that aluminium is particularly cheap and finding special
plastic fittings to fit could be problematical.

Al. is light and compact. That's critical and why I'm asking if fittings might
exist. I've already dumped a wood alternative because it knackered me & the
car!

--
John Cartmell john@ followed by finnybank.com 0845 006 8822
Qercus magazine FAX +44 (0)8700-519-527 www.finnybank.com
Qercus - the best guide to RISC OS computing

In article , Guy King
wrote:
Will it be windy or indoors? I'd imagine it'd blow over quite easily
outdoors.

Indoors. I'd rather not use hinge as that makes a point of weakness -
especially with the repeated misuse that it *will* get..

--
John Cartmell john@ followed by finnybank.com 0845 006 8822
Qercus magazine FAX +44 (0)8700-519-527 www.finnybank.com
Qercus - the best guide to RISC OS computing

In article ,
Owain wrote:
John Cartmell wrote:
I'm hoping to produce a frame for some display material. Q. Am I likely
to be able to get such aluminium section and plastic fixings? Where?

http://www.surestore.co.uk/squaretube.asp
http://www.apss.co.uk/storage/racking/square_tube.htm
http://www.linkint.co.uk/p-tube.htm

This Australian page might offer some ideas:
http://www.aldadesign.com.au/speed_frame.htm

Possibly not low cost though - and the fixings are intended to be
permanent.

Apart from 'permanent', size (and cost?) those are just what I envisioned.
Very many thanks.

--
John Cartmell john@ followed by finnybank.com 0845 006 8822
Qercus magazine FAX +44 (0)8700-519-527 www.finnybank.com
Qercus - the best guide to RISC OS computing

In article , nightjar nightjar@insert
my surname here.uk.com wrote:

"John Cartmell" wrote in message
...
I'm hoping to produce a frame for some display material. My initial plan
is to produce a square 'tower' about 900mm square and approx 1800mm high
- effectively two 900x900 frame cubes - strong enough to carry a light
notice board on each of the four 'faces'.

I'm thinking of making the frame from aluminium square section (1cm
square?) joined with plastic fixings - square equivalent of the sort of
fixings you get for gazebos/markees. The construction needs to be set up
and dismantled in minutes, be light, and be constructed of materials that
can fit in the back of a car. And it needs to be low cost.

There are commercial display products that do what you want, but definitely
not at low cost. Nothing to do with commercial display equipment comes at
low cost. You will have to design and make your own if you want that.
Bamboo is light and strong and could be made a feature of the display,
perhaps it could be pushed into holes drilled in solid plastic balls for
the joints.

Now that *is* thinking outside the box. More planning and checking. Thanks!

--
John Cartmell john@ followed by finnybank.com 0845 006 8822
Qercus magazine FAX +44 (0)8700-519-527 www.finnybank.com
Qercus - the best guide to RISC OS computing

In article , Rob Morley
wrote:
In article John Cartmell
wrote:
I'm hoping to produce a frame for some display material. My initial plan
is to produce a square 'tower' about 900mm square and approx 1800mm high
- effectively two 900x900 frame cubes - strong enough to carry a light
notice board on each of the four 'faces'.

Would it not be easier to treat the boards as the main structural
components, and simply add legs to that assembly? Commercial systems are
designed to be modular, but as you have very specific requirements there's
no particular reason to go down that path.

Weight & space & longevity. Boards are heavy and take up a lot of space. You
can use lightweight boards as long as you have a fairly sturdy frame to hold
them. I'm trying to see if I can produce a frame that has strength because of
its shape and that will take whatever misuse is directed at it during speedy
assembly, disassembly, storage and transport. Cheap & lightweight boards can
be stored in loft or replaced. Structural boards are a problem.

Thanks,

--
John Cartmell john@ followed by finnybank.com 0845 006 8822
Qercus magazine FAX +44 (0)8700-519-527 www.finnybank.com
Qercus - the best guide to RISC OS computing

"John Cartmell" wrote in message
...
....
p.s how big's the car?

Very small when everything else has been packed! ;-(

I find the same when packing my display equipment into a Mercedes M Class
and an 8ft box trailer.

Colin Bignell

"John Cartmell" wrote in message
...
....
There are commercial display products that do what you want, but
definitely
not at low cost. Nothing to do with commercial display equipment comes at
low cost. You will have to design and make your own if you want that.
Bamboo is light and strong and could be made a feature of the display,
perhaps it could be pushed into holes drilled in solid plastic balls for
the joints.

Now that *is* thinking outside the box. More planning and checking.
Thanks!

It is getting bored standing around at exhibitions and having a wander
around looking at how other stands were designed in case I could nick their
ideas.

Colin Bignell

"John Cartmell" wrote in message
...
In article , Rob Morley
wrote:
In article John Cartmell
wrote:
I'm hoping to produce a frame for some display material. My initial
plan
is to produce a square 'tower' about 900mm square and approx 1800mm
high
- effectively two 900x900 frame cubes - strong enough to carry a light
notice board on each of the four 'faces'.

Would it not be easier to treat the boards as the main structural
components, and simply add legs to that assembly? Commercial systems are
designed to be modular, but as you have very specific requirements
there's
no particular reason to go down that path.

Weight & space & longevity. Boards are heavy and take up a lot of space.
You
can use lightweight boards as long as you have a fairly sturdy frame to
hold
them. ...

If you have a frame, you may not even need boards. Many display systems use
a fuzzy cloth that you can use hook type Velcro pads to attach things to.
Cloth can be stretched across the frame and will roll up for storage. There
are also display stands that work like inverted roller blinds coming out of
a tube, with a long metal rod to hold them up, which are very compact. They
are probably more expensive than you want to pay, but this is a DIY forum.

Colin Bignell

In article , nightjar nightjar@insert
my surname here.uk.com wrote:

"John Cartmell" wrote in message
...
In article , Rob Morley
wrote:
In article John Cartmell
wrote:
I'm hoping to produce a frame for some display material. My initial
plan is to produce a square 'tower' about 900mm square and approx
1800mm high - effectively two 900x900 frame cubes - strong enough to
carry a light notice board on each of the four 'faces'.

Would it not be easier to treat the boards as the main structural
components, and simply add legs to that assembly? Commercial systems
are designed to be modular, but as you have very specific requirements
there's no particular reason to go down that path.

Weight & space & longevity. Boards are heavy and take up a lot of space.
You can use lightweight boards as long as you have a fairly sturdy frame
to hold them. ...

If you have a frame, you may not even need boards. Many display systems use
a fuzzy cloth that you can use hook type Velcro pads to attach things to.
Cloth can be stretched across the frame and will roll up for storage. There
are also display stands that work like inverted roller blinds coming out
of a tube, with a long metal rod to hold them up, which are very compact.
They are probably more expensive than you want to pay, but this is a DIY
forum.

I know the limits of my DIY. Simple and robust won't stretch to the last idea!
But fuzzy felt is an idea...

--
John Cartmell john@ followed by finnybank.com 0845 006 8822
Qercus magazine FAX +44 (0)8700-519-527 www.finnybank.com
Qercus - the best guide to RISC OS computing

John Cartmell wrote:
In article , nightjar nightjar@insert
my surname here.uk.com wrote:


"John Cartmell" wrote in message
...

In article , Rob Morley
wrote:

In article John Cartmell
wrote:

I'm hoping to produce a frame for some display material. My initial
plan is to produce a square 'tower' about 900mm square and approx
1800mm high - effectively two 900x900 frame cubes - strong enough to
carry a light notice board on each of the four 'faces'.


Would it not be easier to treat the boards as the main structural
components, and simply add legs to that assembly? Commercial systems
are designed to be modular, but as you have very specific requirements
there's no particular reason to go down that path.

Weight & space & longevity. Boards are heavy and take up a lot of space.
You can use lightweight boards as long as you have a fairly sturdy frame
to hold them. ...


If you have a frame, you may not even need boards. Many display systems use
a fuzzy cloth that you can use hook type Velcro pads to attach things to.
Cloth can be stretched across the frame and will roll up for storage. There
are also display stands that work like inverted roller blinds coming out
of a tube, with a long metal rod to hold them up, which are very compact.
They are probably more expensive than you want to pay, but this is a DIY
forum.


I know the limits of my DIY. Simple and robust won't stretch to the last idea!
But fuzzy felt is an idea...

I've used this sort of thing in the past. This is a U.S. link but there
should be UK suppliers

http://www.brunnerent.com/Tools/Portfolio/frontend/itemlist.asp?type=2&size=0&lngDisplay=2&strMetaTag

In article , Owain
wrote:
John Cartmell wrote:
Weight & space & longevity. Boards are heavy and take up a lot of space.
You can use lightweight boards as long as you have a fairly sturdy frame
to hold them. I'm trying to see if I can produce a frame that has
strength because of its shape and that will take whatever misuse is
directed at it during speedy assembly, disassembly, storage and
transport. Cheap & lightweight boards can be stored in loft or replaced.
Structural boards are a problem.

Have a look at some of the point-of-sale display fittings in shops that are
supplied by manufacturers for short-term use and made out of plastic
"corrugated cardboard" - sold by signmaking places as IIRC 'correx'. The
posher (solid) version is 'foamex'. They're study enough to hold
merchandise but don't usually have any frame at all.

Eight rectangles of that, with webbing/velcro hinges. 4 are assembled as
the base:

/\
/ \
\ /
\/

and four are assembled as the display board on top, rotaed 45 degrees. The
boards have slots cut in so they interlock.

__
| |
|__|


If you make the hinges loose enough what is the outside in display mode
can be folded round to be the inside in storage mode, so protecting the
display.

On the base unit, have an adjustable length of webbing from one side to
the other inside. Most venues will have a surfeit of polychairs, so put a
few of them stacked inside the base, pass the webbing under them and
tighten. This will prevent the base lifting off the floor and toppling.

Very many thanks. Much thought required! ;-)

--
John Cartmell john@ followed by finnybank.com 0845 006 8822
Qercus magazine FAX +44 (0)8700-519-527 www.finnybank.com
Qercus - the best guide to RISC OS computing