The serrated bracket and strap supplied with my Browning trailcam is limited in that it pulls the camera flat to the tree. This 3D printed bracket adds a pan and tilt function which makes setting up the trailcam so much easier.

Supplies

For this project you will need :

3D printed parts : Print it strong! I've used carbon fibre infused PLA with 5 shells and 4 layers top and bottom, 50% infill. One of each part.

4 off M4 x 8mm bolts + nuts (or similar). Mine are nylon as that's what I had around.

1 off M4 x 50mm steel bolt + (ideally nyloc) nut. I got mine from a plasterboard hanger, cut down.

2 off M4 washers.

1 off tripod mounting bolt. These are readily available from photo supplier or online.

N.B. I've modified the design of the horizontal part to allow access to the SD card without removing the camera and to give a few more pan degrees. This is PanTilt-H-New.

Step 1: Assembly

Assembly is as per the pictures.

The tripod mounting bolt should need screwing through the hole and not drop out again so you don't lose it in the long grass.

An M4 butterfly nut may be better for the long bolt for easy tensioning. As the device is used the nut will probably have to be tightened occasionally.

A tip - When cutting bolts always screw a nut on first, make the cut, tidy up the rough edges with a file and then remove the nut. This will clean any swarf from the thread and re-shape it making the nut much easier to put on again.

Step 2: Using the Bracket.

Attach to a tree or post using the strap as usual. You would normally use the tripod bolt in the hole closest to the hinge but using the further hole will allow a greater degree of pan and tilt if you need it.

I've designed this for a Browning trailcam plate which has a hole separation of 41.5mm vertically and 35mm horizontally. If anyone wants to make this for a trailcam with a similar plate with different spacing, let me know and I'll post alternatives.

Step 3: Results

The videos are all from the last couple of months from my trailcam at the bottom of our garden. This is in the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, England. The final one is our cat Ozzy on the catwalk, giving it some Blue Steel.

I'm thinking of charging a toll on the bridge :¬)