Forums > Technical Discussion > Aluminum Stilt Construction?
Login/Join to ParticipateFlaming Lesbian
181 posts
Location: Portland, Oregon
181 posts
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posted:
since i can't afford decent wood for my stilts, and i'm a 260lb `fatbloke`, i started wondering if i could use aluminum tube/bar for stilts?
my local hardware store sells 1/16" wall aluminum square and round tube in several sizes. i've been using it for staves and juggling pins, but do you guys think it could hold up to 260lbs of pure thor?
i was thinking about doing a box design [X], and i'm sure that would hold me, but i wanted small feet, and don't quite care for all the weight (even if it is aluminum)
btw, before anyone tells me, i know aluminum is difficult to weld, but i have a shop in town that can do it for me
since i can't afford decent wood for my stilts, and i'm a 260lb `fatbloke`, i started wondering if i could use aluminum tube/bar for stilts?
my local hardware store sells 1/16" wall aluminum square and round tube in several sizes. i've been using it for staves and juggling pins, but do you guys think it could hold up to 260lbs of pure thor?
i was thinking about doing a box design [X], and i'm sure that would hold me, but i wanted small feet, and don't quite care for all the weight (even if it is aluminum)
btw, before anyone tells me, i know aluminum is difficult to weld, but i have a shop in town that can do it for me
Lights dancing off my skin as chains wrap round it.
Pain is in a little box and I'm so glad I found it.
DIAMOND Member
The Ministry of Manipulation
2,523 posts
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
The Ministry of Manipulation
2,523 posts
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
Posted:
yes it can,
The calcs strength is for buckling and localisd stress
So, How long do you want them?
Plus I would go for a better grade of aluminium than you usually get at your local hardware store
For pegs: You'll need round section 1 & 3/4" or larger
and probably a thicker wall section
(note thats not calculated, its just my quick estimate of the size of ali stilts I've seen in the past)
It will be cheaper and simpler to make them from wood, especailly if you can get hardwood as scrap
I don't understand what you mean by box design
good luck
yes it can,
The calcs strength is for buckling and localisd stress
So, How long do you want them?
Plus I would go for a better grade of aluminium than you usually get at your local hardware store
For pegs: You'll need round section 1 & 3/4" or larger
and probably a thicker wall section
(note thats not calculated, its just my quick estimate of the size of ali stilts I've seen in the past)
It will be cheaper and simpler to make them from wood, especailly if you can get hardwood as scrap
I don't understand what you mean by box design
good luck
Flaming Lesbian
181 posts
Location: Portland, Oregon
181 posts
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posted:
well, instead of expensive, strong 2x2s, i went with cheap wood 4x4s. they're pretty straight, knotty, and heavy, but they were cheap.
and they were much less effort than the aluminum were going to be
got my new stilts standing in my garage right now, just waiting for strapping =]
well, instead of expensive, strong 2x2s, i went with cheap wood 4x4s. they're pretty straight, knotty, and heavy, but they were cheap.
and they were much less effort than the aluminum were going to be
got my new stilts standing in my garage right now, just waiting for strapping =]
Lights dancing off my skin as chains wrap round it.
Pain is in a little box and I'm so glad I found it.
SILVER Member
water based
5,125 posts
Location: melbourne, Australia
water based
5,125 posts
Location: melbourne, Australia
Posted:
i have a new idea.
its basically the idea discussed on the other stilts page, but instead of wood for the 'leg' thats taking all the weight, im going to use 1/8 inch (in the old terms) aluminium bar (the square one).
im currently having the metal tracked down for me, then bolting the whole thing together.
will post pictures.
could be a while
cheers, pete
i have a new idea.
its basically the idea discussed on the other stilts page, but instead of wood for the 'leg' thats taking all the weight, im going to use 1/8 inch (in the old terms) aluminium bar (the square one).
im currently having the metal tracked down for me, then bolting the whole thing together.
will post pictures.
could be a while
cheers, pete
"you know there are no trophys for doing silly things in real life yeah pete?" said ant "you wont get a 'listened to ride of the valkyries all the way to vietnam' trophy"
*proud owner of the very cute fire_spinning_angel, birgit and neon shaolin*
GOLD Member
addict
674 posts
Location: Ohio, USA
addict
674 posts
Location: Ohio, USA
Posted:
Box design... as in an aluminum box with an x running in between the corners for stability? Huh...
Box design... as in an aluminum box with an x running in between the corners for stability? Huh...
SILVER Member
water based
5,125 posts
Location: melbourne, Australia
water based
5,125 posts
Location: melbourne, Australia
Posted:
na, just a box, with thicker than usual walls, 3.5mm (1/8inch) i think. will keep all posted.
cheers, pete
na, just a box, with thicker than usual walls, 3.5mm (1/8inch) i think. will keep all posted.
cheers, pete
"you know there are no trophys for doing silly things in real life yeah pete?" said ant "you wont get a 'listened to ride of the valkyries all the way to vietnam' trophy"
*proud owner of the very cute fire_spinning_angel, birgit and neon shaolin*
newbie
32 posts
Location: Durham City, England, UK
32 posts
Location: Durham City, England, UK
Posted:
I use 40mm dia round tube with 3mm thickness of aluminium. These are ideal and they support my 250 pound weight without any problem. I have had my 20inch and 36 inch aluminium pegs for over a year now and have had no problem with them
I use 40mm dia round tube with 3mm thickness of aluminium. These are ideal and they support my 250 pound weight without any problem. I have had my 20inch and 36 inch aluminium pegs for over a year now and have had no problem with them
Stargazer
6,650 posts
6,650 posts
Posted:
inches, pounds, floz, farenheit... when will they ever learn? *digs for that conversion table*
inches, pounds, floz, farenheit... when will they ever learn? *digs for that conversion table* the best smiles are the ones you lead to 
enthusiast
328 posts
Location: uk
328 posts
Location: uk
Posted:
I use Douglas fir for stilt builds over four foot, 2x2", I also use this for the stilt construction workshops that we deliver.
mark
I use Douglas fir for stilt builds over four foot, 2x2", I also use this for the stilt construction workshops that we deliver.
mark
newbie
32 posts
Location: Durham City, England, UK
32 posts
Location: Durham City, England, UK
Posted:
Sorry, the UK went metric 30 years ago. I thought everbody was now metric. I did not realise that this was one area where the US has been left behind! I always considered the US to be a world leader. How wrong could I be.
My aluminium peg stilts have circular poles about 2 inches diameter. The aluminium is about 3/16 in thick. that has never so much as dented and carries my 18stones without any problem.
Sorry, the UK went metric 30 years ago. I thought everbody was now metric. I did not realise that this was one area where the US has been left behind! I always considered the US to be a world leader. How wrong could I be.
My aluminium peg stilts have circular poles about 2 inches diameter. The aluminium is about 3/16 in thick. that has never so much as dented and carries my 18stones without any problem.
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