wall spreader vs autopole

Noah

Noah

Well-known member
I know that with a wall spreader you need 2x4's cut to size for the room (or speed rail, depending on the spreader you buy) while an autopole just telescopes. I really want to know the weight capacity difference. I haven't used either of them and am going to be shooting some scenes in small nyc apartments, so having one or two of these in my arsenal would be a great asset. From my understanding, with a wall spreader, you cut one side of the wood at an angle so that the more weight is put on the spreader, the more pressure it applies to the walls. Is this correct? How much weight can this hold versus an autopole? If anyone can tell me how much stuff they've hung on one in the past, as an example, that would be helpful as well. Clearly, the greater the distance of the spreader, the less weight it can hold as it can sag in the middle, but I'm looking for a ruff estimate. I want to know, for instance, if I'm going to be able to throw a few 1k's and tweenies up there with some arms holding flags and nets and not have it come crashing down on my crew and actors' heads. THanks
 
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I used two telescoping poles almost fully extended and was able to hang a bike wheel, a 5 pound weight, miscellaneous bits of hardware, and the DVX from the middle of them without worrying. And spun everything around and around, which added more stress.

Maybe that'll give you an idea/estimate. I never just put a light on one of them.
 
With a wall spreader make sure you put the spreader on a wall stud or you could punch through the wall. Also a small wood block with duv wrapped around it will protect the wall from marring. The weight issue is a practical thing. 1K's start to get rather large to hang if they are fresnels. Think safety.
 
I recently used two autopoles in a NYC apartment and took some production photos.
We didn't put a lot of weight on them, but the weren't close to capacity. I was very happy with them and found them incredibly useful.

 
OK. I know what an autopole is, but what is a wall spreader - maybe it's just a US term for something us UK guys call something else? :)
 
Basically it's two metal receptacles for a 2x4 (not sure what you call them in England; they're the rectangular wooden pieces used for the studs in a wall of a house. The 2x4 is cut to a close measurment of the span you want to cross, and then one end piece has a threaded pressure plate that can be rotated out until the whole thing is kept up between two walls by friction. Check it our here: http://www.msegrip.com/mse.php?show=product&cat=&products_ID=24191
Peace,

-Harry
 
I have put, with some work, a 10-bank kinoflo. I think that woud be close to the maximum weight we could han on an autopole...

If you'll be changing sets often, the autopole can be a great asset. But if you're going to stay a long time in one set, get a wall spreader... I thing you can hang 3 650 from an autopole without problems. If you can, sometimes it's a good idea to hammer in some pieces of wood in the walls, jus under where the autopole fits, so you have an extra edge... (Of course you'd have to use a drill, and not exatcly a hammer... but still)
 
So far, so good. All the posts so far have been very helpful. Anyone else with experience with these things care to share?
 
I worked on a home remodeling show, and we would routinely put 2 Diva 400s, an Arri 300, and up to 5 arri 150s on one mathews telescoping pole. Never had a problem
 
Wow, that's a lot of stuff. Was the matth pole vertical or horizontal? I was on a shoot today where we used 2 autopole's, but only a tweenie on each so I couldn't really determine weight limit. I asked the dp and he said the most he'd put on would probably be a 4' 4x kino. I know it really needs to be determined on a case by case basis, but I think I've got a feel for how much I could safely put on in certain situations. Are wall spreaders generally more sturdy than autopoles?
 
yeah, that was horizontally. probably spread out to about 10 feet. The divas were right next to the wall, you have to put the heavy stuff on the ends, and the light stuff in the middle.
 
It's hard to be definitive as it depends on the wall surfaces, the condition of the end rubber caps, the distance you are bridging and placement of lights along the pole.

Using an autopole horizontally, I would test an autopole as I added stuff to it (somebody should be holding the other end while you do it!). If it doesn't slip with a good firm tug, it's probably safe enough. However, I wouldn't put anything really heavy on it or use it much higher than normal ceiling height, especially if it's going directly above people's heads rather than off to the side. If it was I would prefer something floor standing. Using it vertically would allow more weight to be safely hung off it as well.
 
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