DIY High-Speed Book Scanner from Trash and Cheap Cameras

Step 54: Camera Support: Screws to Hold Your Babies in Place

Mounting the cameras is simple.

I make little DIY camera finger bolts by taking a 1/4 20 bolt with a flattened head (unfortunately, I can't find the name for this type of bolt -- let me know if you know it), and in this case, I use a nut and a washer to shorten it so that it is the right length to hold the camera securely. I have made other versions of this using a wingnut and a hex-head bolt, visible in step 51.

Update: My dad, who taught me how to use tools and build things, writes: "I think the flat head bolts are commonly called thumb screws just like their knurled cousins. ". I'll take his word for it. These are thumb screws.

Comments

[greginterrupted]

They're called thumbscrews. They're also available with a knurled knob instead of the flattened portion as a head. Lowes and Home Depot have the two types but a real neighborhood hardware store will have a better selection, and possibly other head types. Try ACE hardware.

[daniel_reetz]

Thanks for the information/confirmation, greginterrupted. Much appreciated.

[daniel_reetz]

Hilariously, these thumb screws are on page 88 of the tool handbook that I posted in the first step. I didn't see them until today, when I was browsing the book for fun. If anyone is wondering where this comment is coming from, it's step 54.