Adjustable metal clamp used to mount lights onto pipes and speed rails. Standard grip hardware found on every set.
Technical Details
Professional pipe clamps use aluminum alloys (6061-T6) or steel with load capacities up to 75kg on 48mm tubes. The clamping range typically covers 25-32mm or 48-51mm diameters. Screw connections are made with M8 or M10 bolts with a tightening torque of 8-12Nm. The mounting spigot features standard spigot diameters of 16mm or 28mm. High-quality versions have knurling or rubber inserts for non-slip tube grip.
Variants include parallel clamps for straight mounting, angle clamps (90°, 45°), and multi-angle versions with continuous adjustment. Half couplers for single-sided tube attachment and cheeseboroughs for tube connections expand the system.
History & Development
The first standardized pipe clamps emerged in the 1920s in British theater construction, parallel to the development of aluminum truss systems. In 1965, Doughty Engineering introduced the first aluminum half couplers, which became the de facto standard. Matthews Studio Equipment developed the "Mafer Clamp" system in 1978 with improved clamping force.
The introduction of quick-release mechanisms by Manfrotto in the 1990s significantly accelerated setup and dismantling times. Modern CNC-milled versions now achieve precision tolerances below 0.1mm.
Practical Use in Film
On "Mad Max: Fury Road" (2015), over 200 pipe clamps enabled the flexible mounting of LED panels on vehicle rigs during driving shots. DoP John Seale used angle clamps for precise positioning of Kino Flos on the modified vehicles.
In studio productions, pipe clamps attach lighting fixtures to grid systems, with the 28mm spigot variant used for heavy HMI lights (2.5kW+). Location shoots use them for quick mounting to existing pipes, railings, or temporary truss structures.
Comparison & Alternatives
Pipe clamps differ from C-clamps by their specific tube geometry and higher load capacities. Suction cups are only suitable for smooth surfaces up to 10kg, while magnetic mounts require metallic surfaces. Modern quick-release systems like the Kupo KCP-701 are increasingly replacing traditional screw clamps in time-critical productions.
Safety cables are mandatory for overhead mounting, regardless of clamping force. For permanent installations, welded spigots on trusses are preferred.