Arts >> Theater >> Stage Productions

How to Mount a Light Can on a Speaker Stand

A light can is another term for a PAR can, a type of light with a cylindrical enclosure known as the "can," plus a parabolic reflector that focuses and shapes the light into a broad oval beam that exits the front of the can. PAR cans have a hard metal U-shaped strap around the back side, known as a yoke, with a hole at the center for a bolt. Unfortunately, bolts for lighting stands do not fit speaker stands, so you will need to create an adaptor that will allow you to mount your light can to the speaker stand.

Things You'll Need

  • Metal pipe end cap
  • Drill press
  • Vice
  • 3/8-inch drill bit
  • 1/4-inch drill bit
  • Small half-round file
  • 3/8-inch diameter bolt, 1 inch long
  • 3/8-inch nut
  • 3/8-inch socket wrench
  • 1/4-inch diameter bolts, 1/2-inch long (3)
  • Adjustable wrench
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the speaker seating from the top of your speaker stand. Most models will pull straight off, but some may screw off, or require pressing a catch release or pulling a pin. What you should have left is an aluminum pipe that may be anywhere between 1 and 1 1/2 inches in diameter.

    • 2

      Find a metal (brass or aluminum are best) pipe end cap that fits around the outside of this pipe (generally 1- to 1/2-inch inner diameter). It's okay if it has a little bit of space around the edges.

    • 3

      Place the cap in the bench area of your drill press, inside a vice to hold it steady. The cap should be upside-down so the drill is going into the cap from the underside.

    • 4

      Insert a 1/2-inch bit into your drill chuck and drill a hole in the center of the cap.

    • 5

      Remove the cap from the vice and turn it sideways. Clamp it into the vice again and change to a 1/4-inch bit. Drill three 1/4-inch holes around the outside of the cap, evenly spaced around the circumference.

    • 6

      File off any sharp edges from the drilling.

    • 7

      Place a bolt through the bolt hole in your can light's yoke, with the bolt's head toward the light. Thread the bolt through the hole on top of your cap, so the hollow portion of the cap is away from the light, and then tighten the nut onto the bolt with a socket wrench.

    • 8

      Place the cap onto your speaker stand pipe's upper end and thread three 1/4-inch bolts through the three holes around the outside. Tighten them down with a wrench until they hold the light snugly, but do not overtighten or you will dent the speaker stand.

Stage Productions

Related Categories