I “made” a helicon stand...

[Doc]

OK… I really didn’t “make” it, but I assembled all the parts from a tuba stand into something that would fit a helicon.

Since the Yamaha Randall May Airlift Sousaphone Stand is impossible to find:

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...I bought a Yamaha Randall May Airlift Stand for a 3/4 tuba from ebay dirt cheap - $19.99 (thanks, @tokuno !):

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All the parts were easily assembled and arranged in the configuration below (Allen wrench was the only tool necessary, and it was included). After trying a couple of different configurations, plus adding some pipe insulation and armrest pads to protect the bottom bow from scratches, I settled on this:

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The total spent on parts for this project was approximately $30. That beats the heck out of anything else. And for a new-in-the-box, stout aluminum stand, that’s a steal. This cost about 1/10??? of what these things did when they were first on the market. WOOHOO!

Thanks for everyone’s input! This is just another reason why the Tuba Forum is a great place. @LeMark

[humBell]

Looking good!

I am guilty of buying garden hose holders for the walls, and hanging helicons from them.

The one clever bit of implementation is the wall goes back ~6" just above where i hung 'em, giving room for the bell, so they are hanging almost flat against the wall.

[Doc]

Looking good!

I am guilty of buying garden hose holders for the walls, and hanging helicons from them.

The one clever bit of implementation is the wall goes back ~6" just above where i hung 'em, giving room for the bell, so they are hanging almost flat against the wall.

That’s a great idea for storing it at home, and those things don’t cost a fortune. The horn doesn’t take up floor space, and it’s easily accessible (not packed away in a case) if you want to play it.

[Kirley]

Nice job, Doc! Thanks for sharing.
I think you actually ended up better than if you had the original. The "fake" branch where your horn is being supported looks to be slightly narrower than the stock sousaphone Airlift arms.

[tofu]

.

[Doc]

The "fake" branch where your horn is being supported looks to be slightly narrower than the stock sousaphone Airlift arms.

I noticed that also. Doesn't seem to lack any stability because of it, and the horn fits in that space nicely.

I also like that it feels sturdy. I may try another configuration to see if I like it better, but either way it appears to be pretty solid.

[Doc]

I wonder if that stock stand would fit my 185? How close was it to fitting your 186? $20 would be cheap as a stand for it.

I'll check when I get home this evening. If the bottom bow fits in the rubber arms at all, I'm guessing it will be snug. But I will investigate.

[Doc]

I wonder if that stock stand would fit my 185? How close was it to fitting your 186? $20 would be cheap as a stand for it.

The 186’s bottom bow is a little large to fit flush in the padded cups/rests, but the rests are wide enough that it wouldn’t slip out. I don’t know how small the bottom bow on a 185 is by comparison, but if it is smaller, it could likely work well. A 184 would have no problem. My F tuba has no problem at all. When I have an extra pair of hands here, I can get some photos if you like.

[tofu]

.

[Doc]

I wonder if that stock stand would fit my 185? How close was it to fitting your 186? $20 would be cheap as a stand for it.

The 186’s bottom bow is a little large to fit flush in the padded cups/rests, but the rests are wide enough that it wouldn’t slip out. I don’t know how small the bottom bow on a 185 is by comparison, but if it is smaller, it could likely work well. A 184 would have no problem. My F tuba has no problem at all. When I have an extra pair of hands here, I can get some photos if you like.

185 would be half way between a 186 & 184 bottom bow size wise. Sounds like it would work. I'm tempted. The description says it's for a piston tuba. Any reason a rotary wouldn't work? I'm not looking to use it as a play stand but just as a display stand.

I see no reason for it not to work with a rotary tuba.

[P@rick]

OK… I really didn’t “make” it, but I assembled all the parts from a tuba stand into something that would fit a helicon...

Nice work! I see that you also made a sousaphone stand ;-)
I made one myself and it has the same design as you created. The only difference is that mine is a tripod. I use it for sousaphone and helicon and it's very sturdy. I made the bottom part from the "tripod speaker stand" and created the top part (cradle) myself. It's more compact, sturdy and easy to use then the consumer products I have seen and used so far. I will show a picture as soon as I get the chance.

[Doc]

OK… I really didn’t “make” it, but I assembled all the parts from a tuba stand into something that would fit a helicon...

Nice work! I see that you also made a sousaphone stand ;-)
I made one myself and it has the same design as you created. The only difference is that mine is a tripod. I use it for sousaphone and helicon and it's very sturdy. I made the bottom part from the "tripod speaker stand" and created the top part (cradle) myself. It's more compact, sturdy and easy to use then the consumer products I have seen and used so far. I will show a picture as soon as I get the chance.

Excellent! I'd love to see it.

[P@rick]

OK… I really didn’t “make” it, but I assembled all the parts from a tuba stand into something that would fit a helicon...

Nice work! I see that you also made a sousaphone stand ;-)
I made one myself and it has the same design as you created. The only difference is that mine is a tripod. I use it for sousaphone and helicon and it's very sturdy. I made the bottom part from the "tripod speaker stand" and created the top part (cradle) myself. It's more compact, sturdy and easy to use then the consumer products I have seen and used so far. I will show a picture as soon as I get the chance.

Excellent! I'd love to see it.

[Kirley]

Yes!
I love it. Nice work @P@rick .
What did you use for the 2 cups?

[P@rick]

Yes!
I love it. Nice work @P@rick .
What did you use for the 2 cups?

I took a piece of metal which I had lying around (think it was aluminum) and cut and bend it. Drilled a hole to fix it on the metal bar, put foam on it and wrapped it with a kind of duct tape (weather proof tape).

[P@rick]

...ow...and before someone asks...it's a cow and strawberries... ;-)

[Kirley]

I have a 6 year old daughter.
There are plenty of "cow and strawberries" around here, too.