Simple PVC lighting grid/frame for softboxes

[David Pakman]

I'm looking to put together a simple lighting grid/frame for one person 3 point lighting using relative light fluorescent softboxes.

I friend recently did the same thing using heavy metal pipe and fittings and realized he could have used PVC since there isn't that much weight on it.

It seems you can get PVC and PVC fittings/joints on amazon, or home depot, wherever. I googled around about this and there's lots of forum posts about doing it and how it's possible, but nothing more specific than that.

I'd be curious if people here had suggestions for a plan and suggestions on materials, ie whether 2" PVC would work for the types of clamps that could be put on softboxes, and also what kind of clamps the softboxes would need in order to be compatible with a 2" or whatever size PVC.

Would love suggestions and ideas!

[Doug Jensen]

Is this for mobile use or some kind of semi-permanent installation in a "studio" style setup? Suspended from a ceiling?

[David Pakman]

it would be for a semi permanent setup. i was thinking of it not suspended from the ceiling but built as a sort of box or C-shaped frame that would stand on its own.

[Doug Jensen]

I'm taking a whole bunch of Chimera and Photoflex softboxes and Lowel lights to the dump on Saturday morning. If you want to drive down to Rhode Island today or tomorrow to pick them up you are welcome to have them all for free.

[David Pakman]

Thanks! I actually don't need any lights at this time but rather a plan for putting together this PVC grid/frame

[Doug Jensen]

So I ended up calling a local vocational school today about my Lowel lights and they came and picked them all up along with stands, softboxes, cases, and much more. It's good to see they'll get some use by students instead of taking up space in a land fill.