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What to use for dowels on hanging banners?

White Haus

Not a Newbie
What are you guys using for dowels on hanging banners? (Hoping to hear from anyone that does these on a regular basis)

We're about to start a project that will have a bunch of smaller banners (2' wide x 5' high) and a slightly larger banner (12' wide x 4' high).

They'll all be hung above high traffic areas in a casino and will be up for a couple weeks then stored until next year.

We'll be putting pole pockets in top/bottom and a few grommets along the top, but I'm still torn on what to use for dowels.

We've used wood and metal conduit before - are there any other options that I've overlooked?

I'm not super concerned about the smaller ones but for the wider one I'd like to find something that won't sag. Obviously we're not going to use a 12' dowel but I'll probably use (2) 6' pieces and butt them in the middle with a grommet right below.

I'm assuming that a bottom dowel will also be a good idea to make sure they don't flap around.

With the pole pocket/dowels, is there anything that can be done to seal the ends after dowels are inserted? I don't like the idea of metal poles sitting above thousands of people's heads in the event that their staff doesn't do the best job installing them. Velcro tabs inside the pockets on the ends?

I know I'm overthinking this, but would like to find and document a proper procedure for this type of project.

Thanks in advance.
 

Gino

Premium Subscriber
For that length, look into black water pipe. It comes in all kindsa lengths and shouldn't sag at that short length. Usually, we'll put a grommet at the ends and wire tie it shut.... just like a regular pole banner. You could use regular decorative chain stuck inside the bottom pocket just for some added weight.
 

Billct2

Active Member
We use white pvc pipe. I always prefer top & bottom so they hang flat (at least for ones with straight bottoms).
On the top we often come out an inch on either end, add caps and have eye bolts mounted there.
If you want to seal the bottom pocket a piece of banner tape is fine.
 

Gino

Premium Subscriber
Yeah, those are nice, but when looking at some of the pictures, it appears that once ya get over a certain length, you'll need some sort of center support.

Will this 4' x 12' banner be hung from the ceiling or a wall where center supports would help ??
 

White Haus

Not a Newbie
Yeah, those are nice, but when looking at some of the pictures, it appears that once ya get over a certain length, you'll need some sort of center support.

Will this 4' x 12' banner be hung from the ceiling or a wall where center supports would help ??

Yeah they're nice and fancy but too much monies. I like they way they thread together though, that's kinda neat.

The 4x12 and all the smaller ones will be hung from the ceiling. They'll probably use some kinda cable or similar I would imagine.

This is what I was thinking...
 

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Gino

Premium Subscriber
A two point landing is easy, but a three point landing is almost always gonna not be entirely level, especially if people not used to doing it will be doing it. Also, why not put spring clips in it as I don't think it will be too easy with grommets holding up the banner and not the pipe per your drawing.
 

White Haus

Not a Newbie
A two point landing is easy, but a three point landing is almost always gonna not be entirely level, especially if people not used to doing it will be doing it. Also, why not put spring clips in it as I don't think it will be too easy with grommets holding up the banner and not the pipe per your drawing.

Yeah good point. What kind of spring clips are you referring to?
 

Gino

Premium Subscriber
Perhaps one like this to the size of your dowel plus the banner material, then tell them to tie the ends together to prevent slippage.

The other kind I was originally thinking need to be sewn into the banner. Do you have a sewing machine that can do banner weight ??
 

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2B

Active Member
We like 3/4" or 1" 40 PVC or 80 PVC (depending on the span) 80 PVC is a thicker wall (More Rigid)

instead of 1 LONG piece, we use INLINE COUPLERS so we can make whatever is needed and also collapse whenever needed
To keep the pipe centered, we will have the pipe stick out of the pole pocket about 1" drill through the PVC and then run a zip tie through the PVC and into the corner grommet
 

Billct2

Active Member
Like Gino said a 3 point hanger is harder to level. But if you use this type of adjustable hangers it's fairly simple.
I would attach on ends with eye bolts and in middle with screw eye. Using grommets as attachment points wouldn't work well
1.jpg
 

netsol

Active Member
We like 3/4" or 1" 40 PVC or 80 PVC (depending on the span) 80 PVC is a thicker wall (More Rigid)

instead of 1 LONG piece, we use INLINE COUPLERS so we can make whatever is needed and also collapse whenever needed
To keep the pipe centered, we will have the pipe stick out of the pole pocket about 1" drill through the PVC and then run a zip tie through the PVC and into the corner grommet
i would think schedule 80 makes a lot of sense.
40 would have a bit of sag, i would think
 

ONE Marketing

New Member
What are you guys using for dowels on hanging banners? (Hoping to hear from anyone that does these on a regular basis)

We're about to start a project that will have a bunch of smaller banners (2' wide x 5' high) and a slightly larger banner (12' wide x 4' high).

They'll all be hung above high traffic areas in a casino and will be up for a couple weeks then stored until next year.

We'll be putting pole pockets in top/bottom and a few grommets along the top, but I'm still torn on what to use for dowels.

We've used wood and metal conduit before - are there any other options that I've overlooked?

I'm not super concerned about the smaller ones but for the wider one I'd like to find something that won't sag. Obviously we're not going to use a 12' dowel but I'll probably use (2) 6' pieces and butt them in the middle with a grommet right below.

I'm assuming that a bottom dowel will also be a good idea to make sure they don't flap around.

With the pole pocket/dowels, is there anything that can be done to seal the ends after dowels are inserted? I don't like the idea of metal poles sitting above thousands of people's heads in the event that their staff doesn't do the best job installing them. Velcro tabs inside the pockets on the ends?

I know I'm overthinking this, but would like to find and document a proper procedure for this type of project.

Thanks in advance.
I second the Testrite option. Trapeze Bars™, this product comes in a range of lengths and looks 1000% better than PVC pipe or wood for an interior application. Especially with the mentioned customer, the extra cost can be justified by the need to reuse them. To secure the bar bottom bar? I think a little hem tape on the bar so it adheres to the inside of the pole pocket would do the trick. Or a small screw if you'd prefer a mechanical attachment. Of course this is all my opinion.
 
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