Hi Vap,
Huh, I 'thought' you were about to go into some sort of lighted drum
rack Hybrid for a moment! :o ...We could even install a dimmer
switch 'lol'...
Yeah, I was thinking about what 'other' things have as far as tubing
go's...Even my computer desk, bought at Office Max has the exact
size tubing used for it's base to table top legs. I figure I have to
be able to find this stuff available somewhere!
When I'm done I'll see about taking a picture of it! I think it
would be interesting to see what OTHERS have done with their racks
and what creative ways can be configured. I really hadn't thought
too much about getting ceative beyond a simple 'To-The-Side-Add-On'
extention untill I did my side extention and then had extra parts to
then play with.
At first I was dumbfounded on what to do...I stared at it over a
beer or two, then with a proper buzz, I started getting
creative 'he,he'.
To describe what I've done so far...To the left of my existing DTX
rack, I've added a 3rd base, the 90 degree leg as on both sides of a
standard DTX rack. I then added a long tube horrizontally(as in a
cross tube middle section of a DTX rack)to connect this 3rd leg
section to my 'tall' left virtical tube. This cross-extention now
has a completely stable tube to mount my multiple modules on. This
looks great and in addition to being stable, it's very functionable!
As you know, when you install just ONE module in the NORMAL fasion,
your rack starts a rockin' when you get rockin' - Try TWO modules!
You've seen 'The Flinstones' when Fred get's a side of brontasouras
ribs put on his car, tipping it over? :o
Ok, for my extention in "The Upward" fasion...What I've done is
simply use my extra 'T' fittings as couplings to extend the Left &
Right virtical tubes with my spare long tubes by about 2 ft or so.
Then 'instead of the long tube with the "Yamaha" lable at the lower
section as a 2nd cross section as shown typically on a DTX rack, I
used this longer "Yamaha" lables tube at the 'Top' of my "Upward"
extention. Looks VERY cool too! Besides looking very spiffy
esthetically, I can then mount more semi-long extention tubes
horrizontally on either side of my higher placed virtical tubes to
mount more various cymbal & drum pads etc...
As said, I'd MUCH rather have the original, virtical sections of my
DTXpress rack as one LONG tube on EACH side, rather than have
to 'coupling' them together with the standard Yamaha 'T' fittings
for much better stability. I'd imagine that with much use, the
vibration of playing may loosen the coupled extentions, ESPECIALLY
if I then mount various extra extentions arms and pads to them!
As it is the center section of my rack with it's two virtical
extentions stands about 4 ft tall, but I'd like it to be a little
higher when I can use longer/taller/single one-piece virtical tubes.
Actually, I think I was wrong about the 1 1/2" EMT electrical
thinwall tubing being the same size...I quickly checked a while back
out of curiosity, and I 'think' it's actually 1 1/4" EMT thinwall
electrical tubing/conduit that's the same outside diameter...Or VERY
close at least! I remember actually trying a Yamaha 'T' fitting on
it at one time. Electrical EMT conduit however is not as 'smooth' as
the aluminum tubing as it's slightly galvanized and may need to be
smoothed out with a fine sand paper before painting it
black....Speaking of paint and racks, I really DO NOT like the look
of the DTX III rack systems with the silver color and the ribbed
tubing. Though I guess the ribs add to the tightness of the fittings.
I always thought that the DTXpress kits with it's simple & small
rack looked kind of basic and "toyish". With my extentions I've
install so far, the set looks MUCH more pro-like.
Anyway, all this rack extending is my NEW passion or should I
say 'obsession'...I don't know why I didn't do this a long time ago!
If anyone else has ideas and/or pictures of getting creative with
their glorious racks speak up! :)
Steve
Hi Steve..
>
> Would love to see a picture of what you are doing with your rack.
> I did a similar upgrade myself, by merging my existing rack with a
> gibraltar rack.
> When I ran out of tubing, here is what I did. I found out that
> the "Torchiere" FLOOR STANDING LIGHTS (hope I have spelt it
right),
> has 3 pieces of tubing twisted together to make one long piece,
makes
> an ideal substitute for the rack tubing. It is made of steel,
sturdy
> and just about the same diameter as the rack tubing. It is also
> LIGHT. The LAMP I am talking about has a heavy round base in the
> bottom and a dish bowl type shade on the top with HALOGEN type
bulb.
> It has a on-off rotational switch in the middle piece of the tube.
> The lamp is made in China and most probably sold in home
> depot/orchard supply...but why pay for a brand new one??? I found
> heaps of them at the local SALVATION ARMY of THRIFT used store
> outlets, or any place where they sell USED stuff. I paid $5.00 for
a
> good working one, and in great condition. The tubing was also
BLACK.
> Took it home and "gutted" all the unecessary stuff by cutting the
> wires and unscrewing the three metal pieces. The final
> product...about 6 feet of steel tubing. NOTE though, not ALL the
> floor standing lamps are simialr as to the one I have described
> above. Some have different types of stands....but when you spot
one,
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> you'll know thats the one....
>
> GOOD LUCK!!
> VAP.
