just a quick question, maybe some math or guesswork involved

[derekhonda]

I have a stoplight that I got running and plugs into a wall outlet. I gathered up some metal and took it out to a buddies house to weld up a stand. The only thing, is I don't have a base plate (or whatever is going to sit on the floor) So I am going to a metal shop and getting one today.

The stop light measures 30" tall, roughly 8" wide, and 10" deep. It weighs about 35 pounds.

I also have a 42" tube that is going to be running off the baseplate and up to the bottom of the stoplight.

So basically, The stoplight weighs 35 pounds, and will be 6 feet off the ground at the highest. How big does the baseplate need to be to ensure it will not tip over and be very sturdy?

I was thinking a 12"x12" plate in 3/8" might do the trick, but now I'm wondering if I should go bigger or what....

[CJM]

Im thinking closer to 16x16 or 20x20. Remember the thing is HEAVY as is the pole used to support it taking all the weight. The base must be big enough to support all of this and not be tippy.

Id say 20x20 would probably be best made out of 1/2 or 3/8 plate. However it still might be a good idea to bolt it to the floor or put say a 25lb weight on the base so it has more support.

[Ruby Soho]

id say 12x12 would be fine. you could get away with 3/16 plate as well

[derekhonda]

Well I stopped by today, a 16x16 3/8" plate was gonna be 45 bucks and weigh about 30 pounds. And a 24x24 'X' with 4" channel steel (I think thats what they called it) was going to be about $35 bucks and weigh around the same, so i went with the 'X' design for a little more stability. I don't think I should have any problems with it being tippy with it being that size. Thanks all.

[Tommy Warren]

you could do 10x10....just mount the backside of the pole close to the back edge. or does it have to be centered on the baseplate? if you mount the pole on the backside edge of the plate you can put it up against the wall tighter

[derekhonda]

It is kind of back-heavy (and top heavy) so I don't think I would want to do that.. The goal is to get it free standing even though it will always be hugging a wall.

[derekhonda]

Got it back from the welders. Ended up 20x20 'X'. It's pretty stout should be good to go. Rattle can paint job last night, will mount the light up tonight and hope for the best!

[derekhonda]

Here ya go. Kinda wish I had gone with a long pole now that I see how sturdy it is. Ohwell.

[derekhonda]

2

nice,is that house of the dead standing next to it?makes me wish i would've bought that Contra 3 alien wars standup i found a few years back.they wanted over 2,000 for it and me being a foosball guy i went with the tornado tournament table instead.never looking back on that purchase but i still need a good stand up arcade game and contra is the one for me,just classic.light stand looks stout tho,another check off the man cave list.

[derekhonda]

Nope it's a 2-pack "area 51/maximum force" A staple for any 1990's arcade visitor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtksHeeP5wY

[CJM]

Thats an awesome game, I remember wasting hours playing that stuff at the arcades!

ha ha sweet,that rivals contra for sure.dam i miss those days sometimes.good s..h..i..t.makes me long for some operation wolf.i'm gonna have to go shopping this year,thx for the inspiration.