Pipe Stand for Pictures!

[smokindawg]

I've taken lots of pictures of pipes, both new and estates. I've also had the same problems as many other people that photograph their pipes. It seems lighting is a big problem, but an even bigger problem, getting the pipe to set just right so you can get the angle you want without leaning the pipe against something and trying to hide it at the same time.
After seeing several people using and a few selling single magnetic pipe stands, I thought I'd try to make something that would work for me. I also wanted something just a bit less obtrusive into the pictures than what I was seeing.
I found the magnets (These are very strong) and set to making something like I wanted. I used clear acrylic rod for the stand and cherry for the base. The one thing with these is, keep the stand and magnets away from your computer, as we all know what that could lead too.

It works very well so far and should make getting that angle just right.

 

[hanymamdouh]

Very nice, good work smokindawg

 

[bentmike]

Yes great Idea! I love photographing my pipes (and photography in general) but it can be a real challenge. I think I will eventually have to make a clear stand like yours. Thanks for sharing.

 

[smokindawg]

Mike, the magnets are the expensive part. Too get a better price, I purchased mine in lots of 10 each for both the disc and the sphere. Both are magnets, which is what makes this stand work so well.

 

[tokerpipes]

So now that you have several of the magnet sets will you be making a few and selling them? I love the clear stand.

 

[uberam3rica]

Good work! It displays your pipe very nicely

 

[bootlegbonvivant]

That's pretty cool! We've used the clear acrylic pipe stands that float the pipe. They work well, but that does help give you the ability for different angles without much fuss.

 

[dervis]

Very much like this idea.

 

[marmal4de]

Really cool!

 

[spartan]

Badass smokindawg!
Now make it float in the air! :nana:

 

[ssjones]

Very cool, thinking of a similar stand (boy, those sphere magnets are pricey!). Can you show some pix of how the rod/disc is created?

 

[smokindawg]

Toker, I'd be willing to make em for someone else. I do think I'll make myself another one, only use a shorter acrylic rod.
Al, I'll get some pictures when I make the next one tomorrow. You are correct, the sphere magnets are over twice the cost of the disk magnets.

 

[pawpaw]

just an idea if the disk is strong enuff why not use a steel ball bearing?

 

[rlunderhill]

Where did you purchase these magnets? Do you have any part numbers?

 

[rigmedic1]

Thats a very clevr idea there. But I am curious, wouldnt a magnetic disc and ball bearing work? Just wondering.

 

[smokindawg]

While the magnetic disk is strong, it wouldn't be strong enough without the magnetic sphere too, especially thru the wood and the acrylic disk too. I think I went the smallest I could go with the magnets even.
rlunderhill, I didn't see any true number, I got the magnets on ebay.

 

[shawn]

Good stuff

 

[firstwordisee]

That idea really gets the imagination going, great work!

 

[juni]

I wonder....since magnets also repel each other. Could you make a completely floating pipe stand?

 

[ssjones]

From this thread:

http://pipesmagazine.com/blog/pipe-collecting/the-magically-magnetic-one-of-a-kind-pipe-stand/
Taken from the comments section:

My comment/vendor:

Al said:
Thanks Classicgeek. I was afraid you were going to say 1/2″, I ordered some 3/8″ and I don’t think they are going to work.

The best price I can find on 1/2″ is $2.49 from:

http://www.magnet4less.com/product_info.php?products_id=223
For the base the best price I found on 1/2″ x 1/8″ is $1.40 each at:

http://apexmagnets.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=127
Boy, those little suckers are pricey, I need enough to mount 20 pipes….
Another:

I did end up making one of these. A rough version to be sure, but it works. I used the 1/2 inch spherical magnets that Lee Valley Hardware sells: http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=45088&cat=1,42363,42348
Simon