Thomann Decotruss

[paulears]

Anyone used the 150mm decotruss from Thomann.

link here

 

It's not structural, but I'm looking at using 8 of these, floor mounted with an LED mover (11Kg) on the top. The ones I am looking at are 2m - but I'd probably have a few different heights.

 

I could use Astralight - as I already have some, but it's probably overkill for my purpose.

[gareth]

The blurb says that it's sufficient for 'installing low weights'. I wonder if you could get Thomann to define 'low' in that context?

[paulears]

I may give them a call - they owe me a favour (delivering two items, but one still had the stickers the band who had been using it applied, before sending to back!)

[xllx]

I looked at this truss a while back, for a similar application.

There is a pdf document on the Thomann page, which is in both German and English.

Like you we could not find an actual weight figure, however the part that said

 

"This trussing is an aluminium contruction only designed for decoration purposes.

DANGER TO LIFE!

"This trussing must never be used for carrying other devices - e. g. lighting effects..

suggested that we should look for other solutions!

[paulears]

That's a bummer then. Oh well. Mind you as it has all sorts of corners and adaptors you could build some interesting stuff with it, but if it's that weak, maybe not the thing to have over your head.

 

Back to the drawing board!

[MrBoomal]

I looked at this truss a while back, for a similar application.

There is a pdf document on the Thomann page, which is in both German and English.

Like you we could not find an actual weight figure, however the part that said

 

"This trussing is an aluminium contruction only designed for decoration purposes.

DANGER TO LIFE!

"This trussing must never be used for carrying other devices - e. g. lighting effects..

suggested that we should look for other solutions!

I imagine that would only apply to hanging off the span. Not to using it end up with a light on top ( assuming that is what you meant Paul)

[xllx]

I'm pretty sure that it is up to taking a small mover on top as Paul is suggesting, in fact I would probably be quite happy to rig something like that. However if we apply the "standing in front of the judge" test, the manufacturer's instruction doesn't leave one much wriggle room.

 

For the installation we were doing it was decided to be better safe than sorry, I think we used the small trilite (series 100?) in the end as it came with some load information. It would be interesting if Thomann willl give you something in writing, but we didn't bother pursuing that option.

[paulears]

I've got some handy base plates that would have worked well, but I guess that it's accidental sideways force that might be the problem. I figured that a 11kg top load would be less than the uprights holding up a roof section would be capable of? Just a shame as it would have been very cost effective for this purpose.

[empyfree]

Depending on how many you were planning on buying it might be worth testing yourself? Get a piece... Load it with 55kg... hit it with hammers... Document it and use as you planned, surely that would satisfy? I'd say your main risk is in weak sidewalls causing the truss to buckle over from the base-plate.

 

I like the idea, would look great with a Robe 100 or similar perched on top.

[paulears]

yep - that's the idea - many of the heads now have very small bases, so I thought 300mm, would just be too chunky. Using it vertically doesn't worry me from the testing point of view, as a collapse would just be embarrassing and expensive - very low risk to people.

[ImagineerTom]

Whilst not Thomann's brand I've used that mini truss before and been very (nicely) surprised at how strong and durable it was relative to its lightness and delicacy. As others have said I personally would go down the destructive test and document route since what you're using it for is a non critical and well within the limits of what it should be capable of.

 

t

[Tony Lake]

Here is the email of the company who manufacturer the truss. Although a German company I'd put money that they have an english speaker in customer support.

 

Probably best to ask if they have an official SWL, perhaps describe what you intend to use it for, they may have a more appropriate product at a similar price.

info@steinigke.de

[Chris Beesley]

HI Paul,

Could 200mm quad truss be a potential option? http://prolight.co.uk/PRO/item.php?id=509955

[paulears]

Maybe chris, I will have a look. Cheers

 

EDIT

It would be fine chris, but it's five times as expensive and for probably ten uses a year, it's out of my price range for what is essential a nice, but not essential addition. Thanks though.

[paulears]

I've got a big pile of the Thomann Decotruss and I must say I'm pretty impressed so far. The manuals are very keen on emphasising the lack of detailed load bearing features, as we spoke about above, but the actual manufacturer does sell hook clamps designed to fit it! To give an idea of the rigidity, supporting a 2m length at each end, my fifteen stones on the centre doesn't produce any detectable flexing - so that is good. However, I suspect the warnings are actually because the weak link is the end plates - it's 150mm sides on the triangular end panels with 10mm connecting holes 100mm apart. These plates are about 2.5mm thick and if you join two pieces of truss together, then they flex - not much, but enough to justify the warnings. You could stiffen these with some additional plates on both sides, but then you would be left with just three small welds for integrity. In practical terms, if I had a 3m length on a couple of goal posts, then I personally would be content with a few small lights along it, or maybe a couple of the lighter weight LED movers, but more than that would be a concern.

 

For my use with some LED movers mounted on a vertical piece of truss, I'm not concerned at all.

 

One thing I didn't expect was a powder coated finish - grey in this case, NOT silver. Fine for what I want. The finish is pretty tough, although one of the pieces has a chip - even though the paint depth is pretty good.

 

I'm no expert at welding steel, but a few examples of the welding are a bit 'variable' on the cross branding between chords. The bracing seems pre-cut to length with straight square ends, so the weld includes a lot of airspace filled with the weld material, rather than the two pieces of aluminium touch properly, then having the weld material covering the small gap. Here, the gap in some cases is perhaps 5mm. Some of the bracing has a preformed bend in it, while most are individual single spans? No real common construction method, as if they made them with whatever was to hand. The bent pieces are in different places on each bit of truss.

 

So no way you would want to use it as a replacement for proper rated truss, but for exhibition stands or weird and wonderful shapes, it's dirt cheap and looks pretty good. Hanging a few lightweight bits of kit, or small projectors wouldn't be an issue, but anything that makes your muscles work taking it out of the case is NOT remotely suitable. Something I can comfortably lift with one hand above my head isn't going to worry me.