What tripod do you use?

[Marco Polo]

OT, but what wavelength is that?

 

[brucemir]

589nm 5 mw

 

[gismo]

As promised to Brucemir, I'd like to shortly introduce my latest sort-of-stand, ideally to be used for medium sized lasers.

To be fully honest, I was looking for a certain kind of a stand which would hold up to several lasers at a time, possibly lightweight & portable (in a way) and still good looking.
I've soon realised, improvisation is my best bet here and while walking though a local mall one day I've come across to ...

Chrome mug tree holder. You know, the thing which lies there somewhere at the kitchen desk, you practically use it daily, without thinking of other hidden possibilities it could offer you.

However, it was only a half success though, how the hell would one attach them lasers on it. Didn't have to look for a solution too long, I've come across this little handy item:

Bicycle Bike 360 Degree Rotate Flashlight Torch Mount Holder Clamp Clip | eBay

You'll find all the information needed in the item's description (parameters and material).

So yes, I've decided to tune up the good old mug holder a bit.

Following pictures show my simple & straight-forward stand-up set-up.
The chrome finish just fits my Magic Sticks nicely, any polished host would be a good match.

The actual stand/holder would be useless without the holding clips that provide the real magic. They're light, plastic made clamps with rubber finish. Their main advantage lies in the 360 degrees rotation ability, which gives you unlimited options for directing your beamers in any way you want. Horizontally, vertically, different angles, etc.

This is basically an inexpensive way how to achieve a solid, relatively good looking and most of all simple stand/holder for lasers as I'd say of medium size. I've spent less then $10 for the mug holder and about $20 for 8x360degrees rotatable bike clamps. Not bad, innit?

Having written all of this, anything with a solid holding base and arms spread in different directions could be used instead of the mug tree holder. Use your imagination.

Naturally there's a downside I see here: laser pens and massive lasers (all of my green monsters) won't fit (bike clamps size limitation), even if they did (narrower for pens/wider for heavy lasers clips/clamps diameter), the mug holder won't be (more than likely) able to manage such a weight (several bigger boys at a time), unless you get a bigger stand, which turns unpractical in the end.

P.S. I have another set-up using the bike clamps in one line attached to an aluminium tripod. I'd post pictures of it, when the time's right.

 

[spacebirdfameus]

I don't use a tripod. I find them to be too clunky and cumbersome, and most annoyingly, they (usually?) only hold one laser.

This is what I use, an ordinary chemistry lab stand and clamps:

It allows for *very* precise control over beam placement, and lets me do neat stuff like this:

And this:

First things first, very creative and super cool! I am going to look into something along these lines and will give appropriate and adequate recognition to yourself! Thanks for sharing!!

 

[Ekaj]

I really need a tripod.

 

[Antharak]

And here I thought I was the only one using lab stands.
Bump into this one and it just sits there and you go "ouch"

 

[gismo]

Just an update for a tripod which's been known among other members before and popularised by wannaburnstuff originally, mentioned earlier in this very thread. So this is just a reminder/refresh of a successful tripod set-up.

Pedco Ultra Pod II
Height: cca. 17cm when unfolded, cca. 18cm when locked
Max. load with legs straight: 2.7kg (6lb)
Thread size: 1/4inch (6.35mm)
Material/Properties: Black sturdy plastic material. Tripod also comes with a Velcro strap which is used to be wrapped around through the D-ring (basically two vertical line holes along the number II logo sign) to carry the the tripod securely.
Shop: ultrapod II | eBay. Possibly somewhat cheaper to get on amazon or other online shops.

Let the pics do the telling

Made in U.S.A.

Strongly advised to be used with the super clamp if intended for laser usage

 

[NightExplorer96]

My tripods are the 3 kindly donated by brucemir to me!

They seem to be laserbtb tripods(as laserbtb sells the exact same kind) but im not 100% sure. One thing that is for sure, they are very sturdy and do their job well!

 

[ru124t]

Ok well I use a Joby action clamp and a nextech tabletop tripod. The clamp is supposed to be used to clamp a camera onto a window or another hard surface But I find it works excellent for clamping a handheld laser. Joby action clamp and locking arm for action cameras - black and red | Tripods | Ratings & Reviews | TheSource.ca
Nexxtech Tabletop Tripod with Ball Head - Silver | Tripods | Ratings & Reviews | TheSource.ca
Again it is a little reverse engineering if you like but it works excellent for my purposes.Hopefully the lasers I bought from Bata as well as my new scifi lasers will be here real soon and I will give this setup a workout. If you want a real backyard solution, see my thread http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/modding-cheap-tripod-into-laser-holder-87795.html for a cheap laser holder!

 

[BowtieGuy]

@gismo - Thanks for the refresher on the Ultra Pod II, it's a excellent tripod.
I have one, plus the "super clamp" (recommended). This reminds me that I need to order another one of each, can't have too many of these.



This tri-pod is sturdy enough to support the larger lasers with ease!

 

[brucemir]

Here is my "tripod" set up for 11 lasers (and 12 lasers). I built the bottom section using thin plywood and 5 Mini in the Box clamps. And the lab stands and clamps (which are my favorites for photography) idea courtesy of Marco Polo.

Greenlander - the pen tripods I sent you are from Laserbtb





forgive the blurriness and beams out of whack- these were just set up shots shots.

 

[gismo]

BowtieGuy: sturdiness and capability of carrying heavier load was primary reason for buying Ultra Pod II. It has quickly become one of my favourite tripods.

Brucemir: an ultimate laser holding system with multiple options to choose from as we could witness in your weekly shows:beer:.

.......................................................................................................................................

Another update from me. Laserbtb/Skylaser tripod (perhaps shown somewhere in the forum before) I received as a gift from the last ORF8582's GB. Ideal to be used for portrait shots of HL-Skylaser laser line.

Microphone stand to be used for lasers.

Nearly completely hard plastic solution (except the screws).

At full height (adjustable "mast" feature).

Lowered position.

With a sleeve adapter attached for the HL-Skylaser laser line.

The actual sleeve adapter (macro view).

 

[Minamoto Kobayashi]

I have two solid and nice-to-see Vanguard VS-86:





They are a little bit expensive.
Also, it's better avoid to overtighten any adapter against the round toothed black plastic, because the plastic is fragile and may crack.

This is a cheap old fashion O-like tripod:



The first guy who guesses the mysterious object stopped by the clamp wins a Commodore 64 :crackup::crackup::crackup:

 

[Minamoto Kobayashi]

By the way, I need a super-clamp that can handle at least 50 mm diameter, because I need a tripod for my Frankenstein build, that it is very large. The super-clamp must be suitable with Pedco Ultra-Pod II ... Any idea?

 

[Team Orange07]

Thanks for this thread! It's a great idea.
I had this familiar piece of crap tripod from a vendor we all know. It's just too light and weak to hold anything heavier than a Kryton.

So, I had to step it up when I got my MS-SSW. After Isaac's great review thread, I jumped on the Pedco Ultrapod II and paired it with the Smallrig Super Clamp.
Here's a comparison shot:

A
I love the Ultrapod II because it allows me to do things like this; The World's First Laser Guided Rubber Mallet:

And, one last pic to show off:

All that being said, I do believe I will be looking for a chem-lab stand setup like Marco Polo's!

A

Hey are you using the big clamp or small clamp on your ultra pod??

 

[USAbro]

A

Hey are you using the big clamp or small clamp on your ultra pod??

Where was this tripod purchased? I've searched everywhere, can't find 1 tripod as if they don't even exist.