Heavy Arches

**jboyles7** · 08-19-2011, 11:01 AM

OK -- so I have 8 arches made from 1/2" electrical conduit and they are GREAT. They stand up on their own w/o any bracing.

I'm making a new object (yet to be revieled, but I think it is going to be very cool) that I need 8 arches for. This year I'm putting 8 segments of 70 Ct LED C6's with 2 colors AND -- it is TOO heavy, so the arches are VERY unstable. I tested it last night. BEFORE I wrap 16 strings onto 3/4" electrical conduit and retest <sigh>, has anyone done this before and were they stable??

**mikeh65** · 08-19-2011, 12:11 PM

Yes, my arches are also made out of 3/4" conduit. To put them into the round I use 1/2" black pipe. Check you fit, I had to grind a little bit off the top to get them in slide into each other. After that I cut the black pipe off at a steep angle to make a point. Each section is about 18" long, I pound them into the ground, leaving about 6 -8 inches exposed. The arch then slides on to the pipe. Nice fit, doesn't move, no guide wires, and if I have to pull one in to repair during the season, easy remove and reset. Then when it comes to putting things away, all I have to do is hit the pipe a couple of times with a hammer, they come loose ans pull right out of the frozen ground. Unlike my rebar that stayed in the ground until spring before I could get it out. If you want, I can take pictures of the setup.

Mike

**bud29** · 08-19-2011, 12:44 PM

I wouldn't mind seeing some pictures of that.

**jboyles7** · 08-19-2011, 01:24 PM

how many light strings were on the 3/4"? 16 70 count C6s is what I must support. 1/2" will not support it.

**LabRat** · 08-19-2011, 02:03 PM

Hmmm... not building a STARGATE are you? ;)

**Aurbo99** · 08-19-2011, 02:57 PM

I'm using 10foot long 3/4" sched40 PVC with 8x 70 count incandescent strings, each section ~ 15-17inches.

1/2" rebar hammered into the ground at about a 45 degree angle, rebar is 7 feet apart. makes an arch about 3 feet high.

6 arches for the last 3 years.. Zero issues with them free standing, even in near Hurricane winds in 2009.

This year I had some rebar welded to a small base plate at a 50degree "V" , 2 small cleats welded to bottom of the plate and 2 holes drilled in the plate. 2x 10" spikes hammered into the ground hold the plates in place and "V" hold the arches.

**Skunberg** · 08-19-2011, 02:57 PM

I'm cramming 16 (8 clear, 8 blue) 100 ct mini on 3/4 inch. I marked it off before I started to know where to start and end. Once I had to back up and wrap a little closer together.

Brian