Dual tripod with ball-head

There are a lot of tripods out there that don't cost much. However a handy person will make his own and tweak it for its own needs.

In my case I wanted a tripod that would  give me the flexibility of taking (steady) pictures standing straight or just above the ground, and with the freedom of positioning the camera in almost any given angle.

The total cost of this project is less than 30 dollars.

Step 1 Materials and tools

Materials needed:

• 4 wing screws
• 4 pronged T-nuts
• 15 hex bolts
• 12 hex nuts
• 3 threaded knobs
• Wooden beams 18 mm: 18 mm; 7,10 m in total
• Wooden board
• Iron ball 35 mm
• Piece of aluminum 60 cm: 5 cm
• 6 rubber feet
• 3 small chains 22 cm each
• Key ring
• 3 hinges
• 3 screw hooks

Tools needed:

• Wood clamps
• Wood glue
• Saw
• Drill
• Drill bit (6 mm, 7 mm, 35 mm, 25 mm)
• Hole saw (40 mm)

Comments

[kerec6]

Just a few questions- Isn't the iron ball a little too small? Or is 35mm the radius? And where did you get the iron ball? Thanks

[Marker1024]

Really cool tripod man! I love that you made it out of wood to it looks great. You should maybe consider putting some type of polyurethane finish or stain it to make the grain pop. Keep up the good work!
Mark

[arpruss]

Would adding some PTFE pads to where the ball is mounted make movement smoother? Or would it slip too much?

[HHarry]

I think it will work fine with the pads, but i don't know how to mount them.

[arpruss]

Amazon sells bondable PTFE. It has a beige and a white side, and both epoxy and superglue sticks to the beige side. I use it heavily for astronomy projects where I want smooth movement.

One can also buy PTFE tape (people use it for the feet of computer mice).

[RedBinary]

Very nice! I fave'd so hopefully I'll get around to making one in ammonia vapor stained oak soon! Also voted for ya! Very nice work!

[HHarry]

Thank you very much!

[wsecomp]

SketchUp is a great tool. I learned about it while working for a university and use it for most of my wood projects now. The company is based in Boulder and was bought by Google to help fund the continuation of it and get the word out about it to more people.

GREAT 'IBLE!

[HHarry]

And it is very user friendly.

[Lorddrake]

i love the fact that the table top tripod nests into the standing tripod. great concept.

[HHarry]

thanks, that's also my favorite thing about this tripod.

[ChrysN]

Gorgeous tripod, great design!

[HHarry]

Thanks!

[rimar2000]

Good design, and well worked!

[HHarry]

Thanks!

[-chase-]

Real nice job HHarry!

Only one thing i would add... though you many have it already on the side we can't see in your photos.

Most Ball heads have a grove on one side ever so slightly wider than the camera screw mount to allow the ball to swing to a 90° angle.

This should be fairly easy to accomplish. Even a slot on both sides might be nice. as well as the design pictured which a larger drill with the conecting slot should be very easy to add to your design.

One would just want to make sure it stops at 90° at least on one side and maybe goes a little past 90° on the other side.

and i'd finish the wood just to keep it in good condition and protect the wood from the elements.

Though as is - as stated it's a real nice job for sure.

@ Monkey98 - just ask your school shop class instructor for a little help - usually through the shop class the materials will be less expesive and this doesn't seem to take a lot of materials at all from what i'm seeing.

As well - you can find various parts possibly from broken items. A screw here - a washer there

and then there always is the alternative like when i was your age... mow a lawn or two - get a paper route. Sweep a local store - wash some cars....
Sell some seeds... grow a garden and sell the veggies you grow and on an on.

At 11 i was washing Pots at a resturant. The pots were as big as i was almost... but i did it. As it was the only way i could get what i wanted...

And in the end - You'll have more than enough money for this small project than you need in no time at all.
And possibly enough for some tools - a new camera - maybe a bike even... a computor... an X-box.... ;0)

[HHarry]

Great idea! I will try this next weekend.

[snoopindaweb]

=////=======> And a great reminder of "Hardware Possibilities"..! Thank You. G-G

[Hubiewan]

I gather that a small trailer hitch ball can be used for this kind of think plus, it is drilled and hardened for wear resistance..

[monkeys98]

brilliant i wish that i could make this for use in my movies but im 13 so dont have supplys

[scicior]

Can't do it because you are 13?!? Nonsense! Don't think that age or ability should keep you from trying. When I was younger I use to think that way and now I wish I had not. My biggest suggestion on finding a mentor is don't try to find someone to help over the internet! Does your school have a shop class? If not, try the local high school. Ask the teachers if they can refer you to someone. Science teachers are usually hands-on types, maybe they can help. Or finding a local boy scout troop and ask the Scout Master. One thing I tried to teach my kids was, if there is a will, there is a way. Figure out what you want to do, and then find someone who can help you figure out how to accomplish this goal. Good luck!

[Kiteman]

Just a thought - the threaded rod to screw your camera on to, it seems a bit too long?

[HHarry]

yes, it was a bit too long, i already sawed it off. However it was purely aesthetic.