Measure your stage or performance area. Determine whether you can create your truss in one section to cover the whole stage, or if you need multiple sections. Fence rail pipe is available in up to 12-foot-long sections.
Mark four pieces of pipe to length as wide as you intend your truss frame to be. Wrap tape around the pipe to create a line all the way around the pipe. Cut your pipe to length, using a hack saw. Fit a three-way corner fitting on each end of each pipe.
Cut four pieces of pipe for each end of your truss frame. Make all four pieces the same to create a truss that is the same height and depth, or make two of the pieces slightly longer to make a truss that is taller or deeper.
Lay two of the long pipes out parallel to each other, and fit two of the pieces you cut for the height of the truss between them, positioning the ends of the pipe into the fittings to create a rectangle. Fit the two remaining height pieces between the two remaining long pieces in the same way, so you have one rectangle for the front and one for the back.
Fit the depth pieces between the two rectangles, one at each of the four corners of the two frames, so you create a long, three-dimensional rectangle frame.
Suspend your truss from the ceiling using chain or steel cable. Position the truss at a distance of height from the stage that comes as close to a 45-degree angle from the front edge of the stage as possible for best results.