Using magnets to hold an object in place on a large timber beam.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the feasibility of using magnets to secure a 500g LED light to a 22" timber beam in a heritage building with low ceilings. The context involves constraints due to the building's listed status, which prohibits physical alterations to the property.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Andy inquires about the ability of magnets to penetrate 22" of wood and the necessary size of magnets to hold a 500g weight.
  • One participant suggests that the required magnets would need to be "ridiculously huge."
  • Another participant proposes using a C-clamp with padded jaws as an alternative solution.
  • Andy clarifies that the director prefers not to see clamps or scaffold pipes, indicating a desire for a less visible solution.
  • Another suggestion involves using scaffold bars laid on top of the beams, secured with padded slings.
  • Participants discuss the lack of space between the beams and the ceiling, complicating the use of traditional stands.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the practicality of using magnets versus other methods, with no consensus on the effectiveness of magnets for this specific application.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the technical feasibility of using magnets in this scenario, nor does it clarify the specific strength or size of magnets required. The constraints of the building and the director's preferences further complicate the proposed solutions.

tomo2014
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I am a lighting designer for tv shows and I have a problem with a location that has very low ceilings and 22" timber beams running the width of a 30ft room. The location is a listed/heritage building and therefore we cannot cause any physical damage to the property including the ceiling. I have used magnets to hold equipment in place before but was curious to the strength of magnets required to hold a 500g (led light) in place, using the 22" wood beam as a anchor point.

So my question is, can magnets penetrate 22" of thick wood and if so how big would they have to be to hold 500g in place?

Thanks
Andy
 
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Ridiculously huge

How about a C-clamp with padded jaws?
 
Hi MrSpeedyBob

That would be the normal coarse of action but the director does not want to see clamps or scaffold pipes (pressed between the beams).

It was a long shot.

Thanks
Andy
 
Scaffold bars laid on top of the beams (with padding) tied down with padded slings.
 
Oh, do you mean that there is no gap between the ceiling and the beams?
 
Thats correct, their is no gap from the beam to the ceiling,and the show use multiple robotic cameras looking 360 degrees, so using traditional stands is out.

Thanks
Andy
 

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