Telescopic adjustable tubes/struts

[Caladh]

I am looking for some of the above to support and be able to adjust my solar panels which are hung on the guard rails. Currently I have the tried and tested "lengths of wood" doing the job ! So far I have been unable to find anything that will do the job. Max extend to 75cm.

 

[Davy_S]

What about using some of the tubes off a camera tripod? you can get round or square tubing, cheap as chips, a bit of constructive DIY away you go!

 

[Caladh]

Davy S - thanks for that as I hadn't considered tripod tubes. I'll start looking.

 

[ianat182]

If cheapness is any criteria then you could get a pair of Shower curtain rail tubes that lock by twisting clockwise for the required length,modifying the ends as required, or a pair of those extendable paint rollers with adjustable handles,often modified to become tiller extensions, both of the above are obtainable from B&Q or Wickes DIY stores. The former are either in a chromed brass or aluminium, the latter in aluminium usually.


ianat182

P.S A further thought is that you could obtain a pair of the hydraulic struts used on motorcar boot lids obtained from your local car breakers, length to suit your installation, and retractable in use.

 

[Highndry]

Go to your local fishing tackle shop and look at adjustable bank sticks.

 

[William_H]

If cheapness is any criteria then you could get a pair of Shower curtain rail tubes that lock by twisting clockwise for the required length,modifying the ends as required, or a pair of those extendable paint rollers with adjustable handles,often modified to become tiller extensions, both of the above are obtainable from B&Q or Wickes DIY stores. The former are either in a chromed brass or aluminium, the latter in aluminium usually.


ianat182

P.S A further thought is that you could obtain a pair of the hydraulic struts used on motorcar boot lids obtained from your local car breakers, length to suit your installation, and retractable in use.

The air/hydraulic struts for car boot lids are basically springs and need a lot of pressure to collapse the strut.
They are designed to provide assistance in lifting the lid against it's own weight and are then set so that you can easily overcome the pressure in the strut to close the lid.
If OP has very heavy solar panels this may be useful but probably not.
Do not try to release the pressure to make just an adjustable telescopic fitting as pressure is high and can be dangerous. good luck olewill

 

[Zagato]

Tent poles - non metal type!

Plumbing pipe, one inside the other with a pin!

 

[Chalker]

Take a look at spray hood fittings. You should find the parts to make whatever length you want.

 

[Highndry]

Back on the adjustable bank sticks theme, all the lengths shown on this page will be the 'closed' length. You have a choice between stainless and aluminium. There are even fittings that would allow some bank sticks to be easily attached to and removed from a 25mm rail.

http://www.chapmansangling.co.uk/view.php?module=productsnew&search=bank+sticks&searchbutton.x=0&searchbutton.y=0

Let me know where you are and I'll recommend a tackle dealer in the area.

 

[Caladh]

Back on the adjustable bank sticks theme, all the lengths shown on this page will be the 'closed' length. You have a choice between stainless and aluminium. There are even fittings that would allow some bank sticks to be easily attached to and removed from a 25mm rail.

http://www.chapmansangling.co.uk/view.php?module=productsnew&search=bank+sticks&searchbutton.x=0&searchbutton.y=0

Let me know where you are and I'll recommend a tackle dealer in the area.

Portsmouth area and thanks for the bank stick heads up. They look promising.
I was also considering the tube in a tube with a pin. Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[Highndry]

Allan's Marine will be able to help http://www.allansmarine.co.uk/Products.htm but for a better selection of what is primarily a coarse/carp fishing product, I'd recommend Poingdestres in Southampton http://www.poingdestres.co.uk/

 

[duncan99210]

If you use 23mm stainless tube as the inner, you can use 25mm stainless as the outer tube; they slide nicely one inside the other. Use the fitting available for making bimini frames to hold things in place. Won't rust and should be strong enough for what you want.