Introduction: Removable Tripod/Small Table Dolly Attachments (swivel Mod Added)
This tutorial will show how to make removable tripod/small table dolly attachments that are easy to make and versatile. Time to assemble is about 5 minutes per dolly and with the exception of the skate wheels, the design uses hardware available in most hardware and home improvement stores. After seeing fungus_amungus’s instructable for the Tripod Dolly I decided that I wanted a removable version that didn’t require drilling or taping anything to my tripods. I also wanted a design that I could use with any of my tripods. Originally I started out to make removable dollies for my tripods, but after a while I realized they also worked great on small tables.
After reading a few comments, there seemed to be interest in have a version using swivel casters, so I've added a modification (step 6).
Step 1: Tools
Step 2: Materials List for Three Dollies
Materials list for three dollies (three different sizes shown in photo):
Quantity Part Description
3 standard in-line skate wheels
3 1", ¾” or ½” conduit hangers (depending on the foot size on your tripod or table leg)
3 ¼” bar knobs (standard 20 TPI)
3 ¼” x 1½” hex bolts (standard 20 TPI)
3 ¼” lock nuts (standard 20 TPI)
Step 3: Choose the Conduit Hanger Needed for Your Tripod
Since not all tripods have the same size foot or shape, you will need to measure the diameter of the foot on your tripod(s). For example, for the tripods shown I needed the following conduit hanger sizes:
½”
- PROMASTER® SystemPRO T525P Carbon Fiber Tripod
- Trek-Tech T-Pod
¾”
- Joby GorillaPod Focus with Ballhead X
- Sunpak Flexpod Pro Gripper Tripod
1”
- PROMASTER® 7400 Tripod
Step 4: Assemble Dollies
After selecting the appropriate size conduit hanger, swap the ¼” nuts with the ¼” bar knobs. Although ¼” wing nuts can be used, I prefer the bar knobs. Next, for each dolly, insert a ¼” x 1½” hex bolt in the ¼” hole of the hanger, add a wheel and secure with a ¼” lock nut. After you are done you should end up with something like the last photo above.
Step 5: How to Attach Dollies to Tripod Feet
Attach all of the dollies to the feet and then “tweak” the angles/positions. I’ve included an example of what they look like on my Joby GorillaPod Focus in the last photo. Although I’ve used the dollies on my PROMASTER 7400 tripod with the legs almost fully extended, you really need smooth floors when doing so.
When I use the dollies on small table legs, I like to use friction tape on the inside curve of each conduit hanger. The friction tape provides incredible grip and resists movement, thus allowing more weight on the table when moving. I used a couple of these dollies on a card table for the ‘overflow’ dessert table this past holiday and they worked great.
Step 6: Swivel Casters Modification
Some of the comments suggested swivel casters might be a useful option, so I’ve added that version as a modification. The two different versions use the same method of attachment and can be used on many types and sizes of tripods.
The first of the assembly photos shows all of the parts used in the three swivel caster attachments.
Quantity Part Description
3 2” swivel rubber casters (light duty)
3 ½” or ¾” or 1” conduit hangers (depending on the foot size on your tripod or table leg)
3 ¼” bar knobs (standard 20 TPI)
3 ¼” x ½” hex bolts (standard 20 TPI)
3 ¼” lock nuts (standard 20 TPI)
12 3/16” x ¼” grip range aluminum pop rivets
3 2” x 1/8” aluminum angle stock (each cut to the longest side of the caster mounting-plate)
I cut three pieces of 2” aluminum angle stock to match the length of the swivel caster mounting plate and cut one edge to 1 1/8”. I then rounded over and smoothed all corners & edges. I used one of the caster mounting-plates as a guide to drill four 3/16” holes for rivets. I used one of the conduit hangers to determine where to drill a ¼” hole in the other side of the angle stock. The conduit hanger should be mounted 1/8” above the inside edge of the angle stock to allow clearance of the pop rivets and the bar knob.
When you are finished drilling the angle stock, you are then ready to assemble the rest of the parts. The rest of the photos show the process of assembly and several other views of the attachment: comparison of the two types of attachments, comparison of heights of the two attachments, and two different views of the attachment while in use.
