Cheap DIY 12mm Pixel/RGB Mounting Strips

[tmarshal61]

I just wanted to share something I discovered that works really well as a DIY alternative for 12MM Pixel Mounting strips. You can buy 3/4 inch wide Polypropylene Hanger Straps in 100 foot rolls that come with pre-drilled 1/8" holes spaced 3/4 inch apart.

Strapping.jpg

They cost $7.90 each from Amazon plus shipping. The shipping for one 100' roll would be $3.80. The shipping on ten 100'rolls, (or 1000 feet) would be $11.90. So, in essence, if you are building a 20 foot 50 string Megatree, you could get a whopping 1000' for $90.90. You can find them on Amazon here

You can then drill out the holes to 12mm to fit the 12mm pixels. Forstner bits or something similar works really well for drilling the holes. Since they have pre-drilled 1/8" holes at 3/4 centers, it makes drilling them a breeze. Perfect spacing with no measuring. You can drill each hole for 3/4 inch centers or every other one for 1-1/2 inch centers.

I found that this bit from Amazon works very well.
12mm Fortsner Bit.jpg

using the 12MM bit above, the pixels are held very snug and don't even really need to be tie wrapped. The straps before drilling are rated to hold a very very conservative 20 pounds. Even after drilling they are stronger than that. So, they can be drawn quite tight.

PixelStraps.jpg

You can find other similar products in black and possibly other colors.

[THurrle]

You could get the same amount here and save time and money. Usually shipped in a flat rate box.
http://boscoyostudio.com/products/in...l93m0go6ti5k30

[tmarshal61]

You could get the same amount here and save time and money. Usually shipped in a flat rate box.
http://boscoyostudio.com/products/in...l93m0go6ti5k30

Yes, and those are actually better. I am not knocking them, but for someone on a budget who does not mind just a little more effort, these can be had for less than half the money. ...just a DIY alternative and they are readily available at your local big box store. This is just something I stumbled across. I had a couple of rolls of this strapping left over from a remodel. It is actually used for pipe hangers.

[tmarshal61]

BTW... with a DIY solution, you also have a little more flexibility. With these, you can space your pixels at any multiple of 3/4 inch. So, you could do 3/4 inch spacing, 1-1/2 inch spacing, 2-1/4 spacing, 3 inch spacing ... etc.

[dcall]

AND for us DIY guys in the UK we can get this on Amazon UK too...
Great find. Thanks

[stallionent]

Home Depot has it $11.74 http://www.homedepot.com/p/Oatey-3-4...9272/202078153

[rstehle]

And I happen to have a 99' roll of that stuff right here on my desk. $5.99 plus shipping & pp. Send me a PM if interested.

[didjareally]

Home Depot has it $11.74 http://www.homedepot.com/p/Oatey-3-4...9272/202078153

Shows $8.97 at my home depot

[stallionent]

My error, I bought it at Amazon $11.74 free shipping with prime. I also bought a 12mm drill. Both work great.

Drill (picture is wrong): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o00_s00

Strap: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o01_s00

[Toottime]

AND for us DIY guys in the UK we can get this on Amazon UK too...
Great find. Thanks

Do you have a link what i found on uk amazon was expensive. Thanks