Another DIY Tripod

[djQUAN]

I needed a way to hold my Flir E4 when monitoring something during testing etc.

Looked around for low cost solutions but the cheap tripods are either too small, too flimsy or both! I decided making my own would be the way to go.

This is not exactly a step by step instruction on how to build one as I forgot to take pics during the process These are just to get ideas from when someone decides to make one too.

The tripod was pretty simple. A black delrin round stock for the central part, three aluminum legs, a keyring and a 1/4" bolt and six screws is all that was needed. Oh, and about 2-3hours of work machining the thing.

The central part is about 2" diameter and about 1" thick. It could have been thinner but I did not know how thick I needed it when I trimmed the stock Using the mill, I cut slots for the legs (the legs are friction fit in this to keep it in place) and a round slot for the keyring. The 1/4" bolt sits in a drilled and tapped hole in the center as a means of mounting the camera or whatever to it.

Here, you can see the legs in place. The keyring goes through holes on the legs to keep them together when folded. Six screws hold the ring in the round stock. The screws are important as they keep the legs in place when weight is applied on the tripod.

Folded together, they look like some nasty robot claws

The bolt sticks out just enough just like in off the shelf tripods.

I bought a magic arm and a clamp a while back and they work together for this perfectly.

Here it is holding my Flir. It is quite sturdy as I can put a bit of weight on it without moving and it feels solid too.

And just because this is a laser forum, there just had to be a laser in it.

 

[djQUAN]

Got bored with the plain look so I drilled holes on the legs. Looked like robot legs now.

And ofcourse, I just had to use it for burning.

Focused the 3watt laser into a pinpoint and onto a thin MDF target. Didn't realize it until I was done. It went straight through!

Entry point:

Exit hole:

And this is my workbench matting. Laser is still on but in idle mode.

 

[vk2fro]

Yours looks way better than mine - nice design actually - now put some servos on the arm so you can remote manipulate it from an RC controller or gamepad

Mines just a mic holder re purposed for holding lasers. Does the job though, but yours look way better

 

[Laser Chick]

Really like the keyring concept to be your hinge point. Great work!!
Drilling the holes in the legs does make it look much nicer.

 

[vk2fro]

The close up of the laser burning looks like some sort of evil robot attacking something. Sure looks industrial! +rep

 

[Star Light]

WOW!...impressive...great build.

 

[Pman]

Nice sturdy build. +REP

 

[djQUAN]

Thanks guys. Actually, I had the middle part turned on the lathe to have a cone shape on top. Makes it look nicer

 

[APEX1]

very nice.. Alen has a very cool looking custom tripod as well

 

[djQUAN]

The DIY tripod is very sturdy but also pretty big. I wanted to make a more pocket sized one for camping trips. And this was the result.

The ruler is 6 inches for size.

My hand in comparison

Camera mounting set for cctv use.

Used the cctv cam set for the adjustable swivel thingy and the extensions.

When traveling, turn the tripod over and screw it to the camera mount backwards so it folds over for a compact package.

 

[APEX1]

Another beautiful project

 

[Laser Chick]

Very nice work again! That is a nice chunk of metal on the left, is it CRS or tool steel?
If it was copper you could make the heat sink to end all heat sinks. Duty cycle = 5 years

 

[djQUAN]

Thanks

@laserchick, it is tool steel. I use it as an anvil or a very heavy paper weight