[backstay]

I need to adapt a 6" tube to 6" pipe. This is for a solar mount. The mount is supposed to sit on top of a 6" vertical pipe but the GC installed a 6" tube instead. Said he didn't know there was difference. Told me he installed the one that was 6". So any ideas?

 

[HARRY305E]

I need to adapt a 6" tube to 6" pipe. This is for a solar mount. The mount is supposed to sit on top of a 6" vertical pipe but the GC installed a 6" tube instead. Said he didn't know there was difference. Told me he installed the one that was 6". So any ideas?

What is the tube made of?

 

[stuiec]

Tubing is square, pipe round. Do you weld?

 

[sbrn33]

Tubing is square, pipe round. Do you weld?

EMTubing???

 

[stuiec]

EMTubing???

dang! Where you been? I guess it is time I went back to electricalling.

ps.....tubing does rhyme with boobing.......which reminds me that your old avatar....oh nevermind

 

[stuiec]

Still.....the OP sounds like he is mounting hardware. Are you talking about a raceway, or mounting structure?

 

[Jlarson]

It would depend on the mount and how forgiving of a smaller OD it is.

 

[glen1971]

6" square u-bolts an option? Welding other steel to it?

 

[backstay]

Tubbing is round (EMT) 6" outside diameter. Pipe is about 6-11/16 inside diameter. Pipe is a cap that goes over the top. Has two bolts that secure it at 10 and 2 o'clock. But it's loose when the bolts are all the way in. And this is a mount for 4 solar panels. At the top of the cap are some flanges that a large aluminum beam goes thorough. This thing is a sail and needs to be very secure. I just though maybe someone had a sleeve idea I could use to fill the space between.

This is a picture of it. It's the part at the top of the pole.

 

[Jlarson]

I'd take some tube or pipe and rip it lengthwise and make a sort of curved shim.

 

[backstay]

I'd take some tube or pipe and rip it lengthwise and make a sort of curved shim.

That was my though too, maybe three or four of them. Then longer bolts and drill through to get a positive hold.

 

[stuiec]

can you either


a) thread the inside of the pipe and insert a reducer or

b) insert a reducer and let friction take its course?

 

[stuiec]

...or drill and tap a couple of extra holes in the pipe :thumbsup:

 

[HARRY305E]

6" EMT connector to a 6" rigid coupling ?

 

[backstay]

...or drill and tap a couple of extra holes in the pipe :thumbsup:

They weld nuts on the pipe for the bolts. So just tapping the pipe must not be enough treads. There is a lot of stress on these in a 70 mph wind.

 

[backstay]

6" EMT connector to a 6" rigid coupling ?

I've never seen one in 6", 1/2 and 3/4. I don't think it would be strong enough.

 

[stuiec]

They weld nuts on the pipe for the bolts. So just tapping the pipe must not be enough treads. There is a lot of stress on these in a 70 mph wind.

dealing with what I have at hand, I would, as J said, rip a piece of 1/4" x 6 " pipe down its length. Drill 4 x 1/2" holes around its circumference, wrap it around the top of the tubing, and then plug weld it in place. Then apply the pipe w/set screws.

 

[Going_Commando]

Duct tape, bailing wire,band vice grips will solve this problem. I can feel it.

 

[glen1971]

What if you made the shims as suggested previously, then drill through both the pipe and the tubing on both sides and use a long piece of ready rod (5/8" or 3/4") at 2 places, 90 degrees out and I'd guess at least a foot apart? Long 1/4" bit and a hole saw would work.. That would definately snug everything up and stop it from wanting to spin in the wind.. Just a thought..