a flexible and stiff material to make arch....

[theoryshaw]

Hi,

Was wondering if you could help me select the proper material.

We are looking for a (20' to 25') wire or tube, whether made of metal or plastic, that is stiff enough to form an arch as illustrated in the attached .jpg (when held by 2 people), but is flexible enough to bend into a coil no more than 29" wide. (but would snap out straight, when uncoiled)

Illustration:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/7117445/flexible and stiff arch.jpg

Obviously not looking for any calculations here, but more of a gut or intuitive ballpark guess.

Thanks so much, Ryan

 

[BAretired]

A 25' steel tape measure could come pretty close.

BA

 

[JAE]

What is this used for?

 

[theoryshaw]

hi JAE,

We're using it for a parade, where sets of two people would march together holding this flexed wire/tube between them. Could also have very light cardboard signage on it, as well. It needs to bend within a 29" max radius for transport.

I've been looking at

http://www.mcmaster.com/

and

http://www.centralsteel.com/,

but not sure which radius/diameter/stiffness/material i should get.

Thanks, Ryan

 

[JStephen]

Try some small-diameter PVC pipe. It won't roll up that small, but you can just buy it when you get there instead of transporting it, at Lowes or Home Depot.

 

[theoryshaw]

Thanks, JStephen, we would do that, but unfortunately we're doing this multiple times, at different locations.

 

[JStephen]

PVC pipe is cheap as dirt and there's Lowes and Home Depots everywhere...

Oh, another idea...tent poles. Try an Academy or REI. They are flexible, strong, lightweight. They won't roll up like that, but do come apart into sections that fit in a backpack, and are bungy-corded together. The poles normally used on backpacking tents are made straight, then arched over like that.

 

[dhengr]

I have no ideas for a source, but I believe there are some inflatable plastic products which will do what you want. They are quilted or a number of smaller diameter tubes side by side, to give some structure and stiffness to hold a general shape. They are then inflated at low pressure to achieve their length and stiffness. I would assume they are made to order. Look at parade and parade float materials suppliers.

 

[theoryshaw]

Good call, JStephen!... I just ordered a bunch from

http://questoutfitters.com/tent_poles.htm#TENT

POLES

Hopefully that works!

Thanks guys.

Best, Ryan