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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Hockey hole size?
Tom Wilson, Photographer
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Newmarket | ON | Canada | Posted: 2:09 PM on 04.16.05 |
| ->> I might have the chance to get a hole or two cut in the glass at our local rink for shooting hockey. What's the most common hole size people have seen? |
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Doug Pizac, Photographer
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Sandy | UT | USA | Posted: 2:27 PM on 04.16.05 |
->> Your hole should be as big as the front element of your long glass.
And instead of being round, it should be oblong. That way you can look to either side and not be blocked by the sides of a round hole.
Let's say your front element is four inches in diameter. Have two holes drilled, each about two inches off center. Then file/smooth the tops and bottoms. What you'll have is a hole four inches high and six inches wide. With this, you can follow the action from one side to the next.
If the arena won't go for this, then have them drill a hole two inches larger than your front element. Your side to side space will be exactly the same. However the larger top and bottom area will be more inclined to let a flying puck come through.
Suggest this safety measure, which will ease their liability worries. Have a piece of pexiglass cut that's larger than the hole and a means to attach over the hole when you're not there. It might be screwed to the main panel above the hole whereupon you swing it up out of the way to shoot, and then let it hang naturally when you're gone.
Tell the managers that when you're shooting through the hole, there won't be enough room for a wayward puck to come through and hit a fan. And the hanging cover will protect the fans when you're not there.
Looking out for their safety issues will gain you brownie points and get you more leeway to do the oval because you're creating a safe environment for them. |
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Jan Langsner, Photographer
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Lloydminster | AB | Canada | Posted: 3:16 PM on 04.16.05 |
->> I was told this by the rink manager at the arena I shoot in. He said there is no way a hole can be cut in an existing piece of glass with out weakening it to the point where it will shatter with very little force. I was told a new piece must be ordered with the hole placed in it at the manufacturing stage.
You might want to check into this before anyone tries cutting a hole. If what I was told turns out to be untrue, please do let me know so I can take that back to my rink. |
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Bob Levey, Photographer
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Richmond/Houston | TX | USA | Posted: 3:44 PM on 04.16.05 |
->> Jan... I was told the same thing by the people at Toyota Center when I inquired about holes for shooting hockey..needless to say.. they arent in any hurry to do this for me...
Bob |
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Ed Platkin, Photographer
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Queensbury | NY | USA | Posted: 6:54 PM on 04.16.05 |
->> Actually, all modifications to plexi- , lexan or polycarbonate sheet are done after it is mfg. It all comes as sheets, rods, tubes or other basic shapes. They don't 'mold in' holes or any other feature. That rink mgr. is feeding you a line. What is important though is after cutting any holes you should make sure that all the edges are sanded smoooth, including the 'wall' of the hole and the edges should be slightly rounded. The smoothing and rounding prevent stress risers, i.e., deep scratches or sharp edges where a crack can start. Also, using a heat gun to gently warm and maintain the mat'l. at normal room temp. will help to prevent adding in mechanical stresses while cutting in the cold arena.
Another suggestion would be to find out if a local company fabricates, cuts-to-size, the sheets for the arena. They can either give their version of the right way to do it, or they can do it for you. |
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Bryon Johnson, Photographer
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Brampton | ON | Canada | Posted: 6:59 PM on 04.16.05 |
->> We had the same deal with the Brampton Sports and Entertainment Centre (soon to be renamed the Powerade Centre). Fellow sportsshooter Mike Dunphy did most, if not all of the legwork to have two sheets of tempered glass ordered with the holes cut into them. After the covers arrived, which took a little longer, then the arena staff put them up.
As Jan had mentioned earlier, you can't just pick a pane of glass and drill away - the glass is tempered to make it stronger and cutting into it would cause the whole sheet to weaken. Having a sheet of tempered glass explode in front of me is not my way of spending an afternoon.
As to the size, I think ours is about 6x8" with rounded corners. Large enough for a 300 f2.8 to fit in...maybe Mike could let us know...
As to location, most places locate the hole near the end line - I think there's an NHL spec out there that most people use - should be on a previous thread.
Bryon |
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Mike Dunphy, Photographer
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Toronto | ON | Canada | Posted: 9:59 PM on 04.16.05 |
->> As Bryon mentioned, we did install two tempered pieces of glass at the new Powerade Center in Brampton. They were made to NHL specs just to maintain conformity. Here are the specs copied directly from NHL Media Guide.
II. HOLES IN GLASS
NHLI recommends that still camera holes be cut in the glass for optimum quality photography. For arenas that utilize acrylic (i.e. Plexiglass) it is especially important to have camera holes as the quality of acrylic does not permit photographers to shoot through it.
Arenas that utilize tempered glass are not required to cut holes in the glass, provided the glass is of sufficient quality and clarity as to permit photographers to shoot through it. For example, glass that has been used for more than two years may be scratched and scuffed beyond cleaning and, as a result, will hinder the photographer's ability to shoot through it. NHLI will determine the acceptability of tempered glass for these purposes, as required, on a case-by-case basis.
NHLI recommends a minimum of eight (8) holes in the glass located in the four corners of the arena. The optimal positions for the camera holes are just inside the goal line (towards the back of the net) and at the goal line. No camera holes are permitted more than 10' into the radius of any corner (beginning at the goal line.)
The camera holes in the glass must be 6 1/2" wide x 5 1/2" in vertical length, with a 1 5/8" radius on all corners. All edges are to be polished and beveled. The bottom of each camera hole is to be a maximum of 5" above the top of the top sill (where the board connects to the glass). The outside of the camera hole is to be not less then 4" from the side of the shielding.
Round holes are not permitted.
Each camera hole must have protective covering that can be put into place on the outside of the glass (non-playing surface side) when the hole is not be utilized by a photographer. The covering must exceed the size of the hole by 2" on all sides except when the bottom of the hole meets the top of the dasher board.
Fellow sports shooter Scott Audette originally helped me out when I asked and provided the same information I am passing along right now. Hope this is what you were looking for.
Regards,
Mike |
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Mike Dunphy, Photographer
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Toronto | ON | Canada | Posted: 10:04 PM on 04.16.05 |
| ->> Do not try and cut, drill, warm-up or anything else to tempered glass. The holes are cut out with sandblasting. Wanna see glass shatter. Drill it yourself. The cost for one 4x8 sheet with two holes was about $1400 and we ordered two sheets. Not something most non-NHL arenas are going to do for you for free. |
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Aric Crabb, Photographer
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Castro Valley | CA | USA | Posted: 10:25 PM on 04.16.05 |
->> from 2003-2004 NHL photo policies manual
" The camera holes in the glass must be 6 1/2" wide x 5 1/2" in vertical length, with a 1 5/8" radius on all corners. All edges are to be polished and beveled. The bottom of each camera hole is to be a maximum of 5" above the top of the sill (where the board connects to the glass). The outside of the camera hole is to be not less then 4" from the side of the shielding.
Round holes are prohibited.
Each camera hole must have a protective covering that can be put into place on the outside of the glass (non-playing surface side) when the hole is not being utilized by a photographer. The covering must exceed the size of the hole by 2" on all sides execept where the bottom of the hole meets the dasher board. "
in San Jose, home the the NHL's Sharks the arena maintenance crew cuts holes into the glass as needed, and have put holes in glass the day of games. |
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Tom Wilson, Photographer
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Newmarket | ON | Canada | Posted: 8:18 AM on 04.18.05 |
| ->> Thanks for the info guys, that's exactly what I was looking for. |
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Chris Machian, Photographer, Assistant
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Omaha | NE | USA | Posted: 11:35 AM on 11.05.06 |
->> I am bringing back and old thread I know, but....
I was given word that I would be allowed to cut some holes in glass at an arena I shoot at. The way they are talking about it, I may only get 1 or 2 holes this season. So I wanted to ask everyone, if they could only have 1 or 2 holes cut, what positions would you choose? |
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Richard Denham, Photographer
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Niagara/Toronto/Buffalo | On | Canada | Posted: 1:30 PM on 11.05.06 |
->> Chris
read the post's, you can not cut a hole through temoered glass. if the arena is ordering you two new sheets with holes in them and want to know where to place those sheets, I would suggest the goal line & the hashmarks. |
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Jim Leary, Photographer
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Island | NY | USA | Posted: 7:37 PM on 11.05.06 |
->> Tom,
I have heard the same thing that most in here have told you. DO NOT have the glass cut in the arena. It is done by professionals before the glass gets in-house. Anyone who tells you differently knows not what they say. You are creating danger for yourself if you have it done by anyone other than the company from which the glass comes. As for size, it sounds like Doug knows what he is talking about although I would expect that only a round hole will be cut for you at the local arena. Another problem is the cost of a new piece of glass. I don't know your arena manager but I would think you'll be responsible for payment of the custom-made piece of glass. You might want to consider shooting from the penalty box if you're the team photographer and the box has no glass. Otherwise, maybe there's a spot in the arena where you can use a step ladder to shoot over the glass and not block any spectators. Good Luck. |
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