Who makes a good canopy?

[McClarkus]

I believe I have reached a point where I would like to start going some outdoor trade / art / festival shows. This would be used for making retail sales. I am in search of a really good, sturdy, heavyweight 10' x 10' pop up (or set up) canopy with side walls. We get some crazy high winds here in Colorado so it needs to be tough. Some (most) venues will not allow staking because of sprinkler systems or whatever, so I will need to make weights out of 8" PVC, SakCrete and eyebolts. Does anyone have a favorite brand or horror stories of any brand to avoid?

[Rumpshot]

Check your local swap meet. There will probably be someone there or nearby that sells conduit corners/joints for commercial swap meet canopies. If you can't find one, let me know. We have a frame that is 20+ years old. Replace the top with a canopy tarp, depending on the price, the quality lasts one full season to several years. Sides are also just that easy. Lots of bungees for fastening the tarps in place. Use coffee cans filled with cement and a socket of PVC for the corners. Add an eye bolt to attach a line from the top corner. You got the right idea for weights otherwise.

Easy Ups are for kids and a day at the beach. They are not durable.

[McClarkus]

That's something I had not considered - make my own. I am familiar with the angular frame connectors since we have a tarped carport of sorts. The threaded pipes would be even more secure. I pull a 6x12 trailer so weight is really not a factor. Putting it up without three men and a mule is. At 5'6" I really am not too effective up high without a ladder. There is a local canvas tarp shop and rigging outfit that I think I will call in regards to a top and 4 walls just to see what the prices might be. I figured that the "e z ups" would not work but wasn't sure if the ones in the $500 range had potential or not. I only plan on doing about 1 show a month since working 2 companies is harder than I thought. I need to be ready for the Veterans Rally in Cripple Creek by Aug 19th for the Appreciation to the Military, Police and Fire. Besides - there is a boat load of motorcycles that attend that. I thought about adapting a canvas tent arrangement we use for the Co Springs Muzzle Loaders stuff but didn't want to lash wooden poles when in a hurry setting up, even though the "look" would be killer, but the pipe thing does have merits. Thanks - M

[Darrell]

Look for Kee Klamps--they're structural fittings used to build things from pipe or conduit. They make them in steel and aluminum. I actually built a telescope mount with one. I'd think they'd come in handy when building shooting benches too.

http://www.keesafety.com/us/products/KeeKlamp

http://www.wagnercompanies.com/Kee_Klam ... talog.aspx

ETA: McMaster Carr sells them, I think Grainger does as well:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#structural-pipe-clamps/=cfet7h

I've seen people build some pretty amazing things with them.

[Aglifter]

A) I'd see if there's a good company building one, then look used - perhaps the same company which majesty a car port
B) If its every month, you may want to talk to a awning shop. They might be able to build you a custom Al frame which could go up quickly.

[rightisright]

I need fast setup for jobsites, so I go with the better Ezups. The better quality ones last longer than the beach/home units. Even then, I only get 10-12 uses before they crap out. But I don't have time to setup and take down a pipe built one every day it rains.
Ezup has a professional grade: http://www.canopymax.com/items/canopies ... y/list.htm

Other than seeing them at races and trade shows, I don't have any personal experience with that line.

[McClarkus]

Kee clamps look to be very substantial and the McMasters web site is something I wish I had found years ago. I see they have an adjustable angular fitting that would fit well on the peak of the roof panel. There is a little more research that I need to do now for the frame and the covering. I appreciate all the good suggestions from everyone.

[Evyl Robot]

I appreciate it too. It won't be too long until I'm shopping something like this. I hadn't thought about building my own!