Mechanical clamp with 48mm bore for securing lights and grip equipment to round pipes; standard weight 0.8–1.2 kg, typically with 28mm spigot socket.
Technical Details
Standard scaffold clamps consist of two clamp halves with a 48mm inner diameter, connected by an M12 bolt with a wingnut or hex head. Their weight is 0.8-1.2 kilograms with a wall thickness of 4-6mm. Modern versions feature a 28mm spigot receiver or a 16mm bore for junior pins. Special variants include 90-degree angle clamps, double clamps for two tubes, and quick-release clamps with an eccentric lever instead of a screw thread.
History & Development
The first film-specific scaffold clamp was developed in 1963 by the British company Matthews Studio Equipment for Pinewood Studios. Previously, lighting technicians used improvised wire ties or wooden wedges to attach lighting fixtures. In 1978, Manfrotto introduced the first lightweight aluminum clamp, which reduced weight by 40%. The breakthrough came in 1985 with the Avenger Super Clamp, which was the first to offer a combined tube/plate clamp and became an industry standard.
Practical Use in Film
On "Blade Runner 2049" (2017), DoP Roger Deakins used over 200 scaffold clamps to attach LED panels to the futuristic set constructions. Typical applications include mounting Redheads on scaffolding structures, attaching flags and diffusers, and rigging practical light sources within sets. The advantage lies in quick, tool-free mounting and reusability. Disadvantages include their considerable weight and limitation to round tubes of standardized diameter.
Comparison & Alternatives
Scaffold clamps differ from C-clamps due to their specialized tube receptacle and from magnet mounts by their mechanical connection. Cardellini Clamps offer more flexibility with various tube shapes, while modern quick-release systems like the Kupo Convi Clamp reduce mounting time by 60%. For aluminum trusses, half-shell clamps that accommodate the characteristic octagonal profile are now more commonly used.