I have been asked to make an arch for an 8 foot table, and wanted to use the clamps that come with the kits for the tables. But, it says you can not go bigger than a 6 foot table, due to the angle of the arch. (It would be too short and squat)

So I went to the hardware store to look for clamps for a table that I could attach PVC to, and for the life of me, I can't figure out how you would do that.

They have clamps that are many sizes and shapes, but I am not sure I could attach anything to them.

Any suggestions?

I am making a 8ft across, at least 5 foot (off the table) high air filled arch using 5 inch balloons!

Thank you in advance for your suggestions!

Carol

HI,  think you are better off using 2 poles and then ali road across the top as this is the only way I would think you could do this,  clamps on a table would not be that stable - could be wrong but not something I would personally do.

Have used these clamp things before but not impresses with them at all but that is just a personal preference.

Hope it goes well  - Debbie

I've used the clips on my dining room table fully extended (about 6ft) and it held but it was not the most stable. I would do as Debbie suggested and use stands with ali rod.

I would suggest using metal g clamp's with ally rod.

in a similar fashion to the plastic kits you can buy.

use a combination of florist wire and tape to attach a clamp to each end of the rod.
It is a lot stronger than the plastic ones.
I will try and take a picture of how I do it later.

I have attached a picture of the sort of g clamp I use.

I'm by no means an expert but when I do it I make two small columns (using the ikea lamp stands but not at full height) and use monofilament for the arch.

Hi Zoe it is brilliant that you have made the effort to help and I hope you continue to post, but the arch you have show a pearl arch I believe Carol is on about a spiral arch made from 5" balloons which cannot be supported by helium.

I have a couple of good clamps but they are in use so I have shown how I would set up a clamp with an old one I have.
I had a couple of cable wraps to hand so I used them I would then cover the area were the rod and the clamp meet with tape and then cover the lot by warping with 260's (in the same way as you wrap a pole before using it as a column). This clamp is a bit meaty for the size of arch you are proposing but I hope you get the idea.

Hope this helps.

Roger.

Hi Roger,

I really appreciate your help, it is brilliant! I will do a test run, since it is not needed until June 11, I still have time to play a little. I never thought of using zip strip ties.

I did try to sell her a string of pearl arch, but she wants too many colors and they did prefer the 5" balloons!

I can't thank you all enough for your help.

What a great group of people!

Thank you again!

Carol

oops ....... didnt read spiral arch  :oops:  even when I re-read it  :roll:

(I dont post much on any forum ....... just like reading what you all have to say - lol ......... but I did introduce myself in the past)

Dont worry Zoe,    I did the same thing,  replied to a post and went off on a tangent - long email with tips etc etc but I mis read the original post !  felt a bit of a womble but hey, we are all human so make sure you continue to post on here .

Debbie xx

Hi Zoe,

That is a great looking pearl arch! I like the small columns on the sides.

Please do keep posting.

I will let you know how it all turns out!

Carol

I want to thank you all for your help.
I made my first "table arch" today, and it turned out very stable.

It turned out to be a 10 foot table, and they wanted 7 colors to represent the cancer ribbons (they are cancer treatment center)

We found some clamps from Harbor Freight (hardware store) called Mag spring clamps, they are magnetic, and they have an attachment on top to attach a conduit pole to. Then, I put the aluminum rod into the conduit. It was very sturdy, and I was happy with the results!

Last minute, they wanted the ribbons attached to the front, so we did that too!

I just wanted to thank you all for your help!

Carol

it looks great - congratulations!  

From a non round person this looks good.

Thank you!